Posted on 06/10/2006 11:57:43 AM PDT by SmithL
Las Vegas -- While leading Democratic politicians have embraced the digital age of politics by kissing up to the 1,000 Internet-savvy bloggers convening here at the first YearlyKos convention this weekend, everybody is still trying to figure out how exactly to behave in a 21st century political courtship.
It is a question provoking much discussion among the digiterati at the first major convention inspired by a political blog, Daily Kos, which is run by Berkeley resident Markos Moulitsas Zuniga.
Many of those who identify themselves as "net- roots" activists started blogging over the past few years out of the frustration of feeling excluded from the chummy world of Washington politics. But now that Washington has come calling after seeing how much buzz and cash the blogosphere can raise, the bloggers are warily sizing up their suitors. And many are wondering which in-person approach seems the most true to their values.
"We're more skeptical of the big-name candidates being here than the little guys," said David Atkins, who owns a market research firm in Los Angeles. "The little guys need our help more."
Perhaps, then, a candidate might use the deferential, open-source style of Democrat John Laesch, the first-time Illinois politician running against Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert. In a media training session, he asked activists for advice on how he should appear on camera.
"They told me to lock my feet together so I don't wobble back and forth," he said.
And how do the "netroots" want to be courted by the presidential wannabes? Maybe candidates will adopt the approach of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who fed 35 of them croissants and coffee Friday morning and answered questions while seated in a hotel suite dressed in jeans, white T-shirt and blazer.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Some people can never moveon.
Hope they're taking copius notes.
"Doo doo doo doo, doo-doo, do-wah!...
"...It doesn't matter what comes, fresh goes better in life, with Mentos, fresh and full of life.
"Nothing gets to you, staying fresh, staying cool, with Mentos, fresh and full of life.
"Fresh goes better (Mentos freshness), fresh goes better with Mentos, fresh and full of life!
(Mentos, the freshmaker!)"
Why don't they call it what it really is, a convention for commie and socialist idiots?
This weekend is appropriate for their convention, tomorrow is the full moon.
Someone please correct me if my memory fails, but wasn't The Kos founded in the run-up to the 2004 election with major funding from George Soros?
Also, I wonder who, exactly, is funding this convention? Vegas isn't cheap.
It is a precarious relationship between major league Dems and far left blogs such as Kos and DU. The Dems want the support, cash and grassroots activism, but they don't want the stink of bongwater and Marx to cling to their pantsuits when they return to DC.
I thought the Daily KoS was originally a joke created by Zuniga to mock the liberals. Apparently the libs bought into the parody as reality so Zuniga made a business out of it.
I wanted to do the same thing as a stress management counselor to liberals.
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