I think you underestimate the influence that Free Republic has on America. Dan Rather is no longer at CBS due largely to the Patriots here at Jim Robinson's site for Conservative Activism. The membership here is at least 300,000. Each FReeper probably know at least 50 others so the direct "point-of-sale" totals around 1.5 million. The very best of America is found here at FR and FReepers are well engaged to amount to a force well beyond their numbers.
More generally, look at what life was like when Newt Gingrich's revolution took hold in the 90's.
s/1.5 million/15 million/
How did that dot get there? :-)