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December 6, 2004The direction of the Democratic Party, and the role that Blogs can playThe talk today is about how Oregon DNC member Mary Botkin has been unseated by Jenny Greenleaf! Blue Oregon has particularly good coverage of this, and Political State Report and DailyKOS are also talking about this. Blue Oregon also notes that Sal Peralta decided not to run against Wayne Kinney. I am disappointed that Sal didn’t run. I love democracy and I love to see it take place when it comes to electing the leadership of the party. I am very excited to see the democratic fervor sweep parts of the party as we decide who the next DNC Chair will be. Mary has posted a wonderful comment on Blue Oregon congratulating Jenny. She writes, “I am sure there are more around the Country who found themselves running against - Terry Mcauliff - the DNC's failed policies and a whole new world of "bloggers" and new voters. I welcome all of you who are new to the Party and wish you well-I look forward to continuing to learn new and exciting ideas from you in your new leadership position. “ I corresponded a little with Mary as part of my activities to encourage an open discussion about who the next DNC chair should be. I was very impressed with her, and I am sad that she will not continue as DNC committeewoman from Oregon. Yet with that, I am very excited about Jenny taking up the mantle. That is what democracy at its best brings, the choice between two great people for a position. I wish we had choices like that in more elections around the country. As I read more about this, I spent time reading through a blog entry about the campaign. This is a fascinating read. Both Jenny and Mary contributed comments. I believe it serves as a good model for people to discuss politics, and I would love to see similar blogs in future elections. Comments
You are correct when you say that that blog was fascinating. It was. The blogs are the newest and best medium for politics and discussion of political theory and I fail to see why they have yet to garner general acceptance. As a person who worked in internet journalism during its beginnings, I have heard all of the jokes. "We're weird," "We need to get lives," "We sit around in our pjs and do these things." The mainstream community just doesnt get it. Speaking for myself and myself only, during my four years in journalism, I was as polished and well researched as any writer out there. I just chose to work from home as opposed to a cramped and deadline filled office. Joe Trippi said it best in his book (which if you haven't read, go pick it up, its great), the world just doesnt get it. This early realm of blogs are exactly like file sharing. If embraced, they will be one of the greatest things to occur in the history of politics. This is the best tool for open, positive discussion that exists in today's political world. Everyone must participate in all of them that they can. Everyone must continue to build and share opinions and ideas. For it is in those opinions and ideas that our world will be changed. Great blog and outstanding discussion. On a personal note, please visit the home of my organization Republicans and Democrats for Positive and Issue Oriented Politics (http://www.rdpiop.com). We have launched our Revolution ’06 campaign, so please feel free to visit, sign up, read stories, from 150 newspapers daily, and correspond on our blog as well. Posted by: Raymond Smalley at December 8, 2004 2:42 AMYou are correct when you say that that blog was fascinating. It was. The blogs are the newest and best medium for politics and discussion of political theory and I fail to see why they have yet to garner general acceptance. As a person who worked in internet journalism during its beginnings, I have heard all of the jokes. "We're weird," "We need to get lives," "We sit around in our pjs and do these things." The mainstream community just doesnt get it. Speaking for myself and myself only, during my four years in journalism, I was as polished and well researched as any writer out there. I just chose to work from home as opposed to a cramped and deadline filled office. Joe Trippi said it best in his book (which if you haven't read, go pick it up, its great), the world just doesnt get it. This early realm of blogs are exactly like file sharing. If embraced, they will be one of the greatest things to occur in the history of politics. This is the best tool for open, positive discussion that exists in today's political world. Everyone must participate in all of them that they can. Everyone must continue to build and share opinions and ideas. For it is in those opinions and ideas that our world will be changed. Great blog and outstanding discussion. On a personal note, please visit the home of my organization Republicans and Democrats for Positive and Issue Oriented Politics. We have launched our Revolution ’06 campaign, so please feel free to visit, sign up, read stories, from 150 newspapers daily, and correspond on our blog as well. Posted by: Raymond Smalley at December 8, 2004 2:44 AMPost a comment
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