[PaulJ]

Rush Limbaugh started this, and Matt Drudge picked up the gaunlet. Talk radio and the internet changed everything.

And Free Republic, in particular, played no small part.

[veronica]

And Free Republic, in particular, played no small part.

I think that's true. Having a Conservative "water cooler" as it were, around which like-minded people from all over the world can gather, get news, discuss the issues and "rally the troops", has tremendous value on many levels, including activism.

[Weimdog]

The blogsphere has become too big to ignore as well...

http://www.instapundit.com/

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/

http://slate.msn.com/id/2090620/

http://andrewsullivan.com/

http://www.marksteyn.com/

http://www.poorandstupid.com/chronicle.asp

http://www.chiefwiggles.blogspot.com/

http://www.rightwingnews.com/

[catonsville]

Add many articulate bloggers who spread the story. Drudge is right. There is a whole new media out there that can take on the networks and the press and hold them to the fire if they screw up.
The power is shifting back to the people. It is amazing--and a little scary.