Think Globally, Blog Locally.
Make you New Year's resolution today. This is a pratical take-action diary explaining how you can be the difference maker in the 2008 Presidential Election!
In 2006, national Netroots mobilization was one of several difference makers. Equally encouraging, NetRoots efforts in races like the CT-Senate primary, NH-01 and NY-19 showed the power of local blogging. My Left Nutmeg, Blue Hampshire, and take19 are just a few examples.
In both 2000 and 2004, it took less than a few thousand voters to swing a state-and the election--to George Bush. In 2008, the difference could be swinging back a few thousand voters in one district. You can start being that difference maker today.
Why
There's been plenty of narrow election victories. Imagine if something like WV Kossacks was taking names and kicking ass back on Jan 1, 1999. Who knows what extra edge Al Gore would have gained--maybe just enough to win his home state of West Virginia. A switch of those 4 electoral votes and today we'd be talking about 14 years (and running) of Clinton-Gore legacy.
Don't be a WATB.
Earlier this week, MissLaured noted Atrios' Taxonomy of Annoying People. In the run-up to the 2006 election--joining Carnacki in clamoring for more support for challenger Mike Callaghan (WV-02)--I realized how easily we might be dismissed as Sock Puppeteers, Lazies or some type of Demanders. I also realized that our efforts, no matter how valiant, were amounting to "too little, too late."
I vowed to make 2008 different. Even though there's no active candidates in my district yet, we're not waiting around. We do a little bit each day, laying the groundwork for the next Democratic WV-02 candidate. At the same time, we're building infrastructure for the Democratic presidential candidate, too.
How
Here are 3 easy steps to help you start local blogging:
- Is there is already a blog dedicated to Democratic politics in your area? If so, count your blessings: join in. Become a daily contributor (of comments, content, etc.). Be an active reader, a supporter, a contributor. Connect and network. NOTE: Even in a well-blogged area there's certainly a "beat" not covered. What are the local issues you'd like to see talked about more? Start blogging about those.
- If there's no site covering your state or district, start one. Free hosting sites like Blogger and Wordpress make it super-easy to start a site.
Blogging Setup Hints
- Start the site as a "group" blog so you can add other administrators and authors.
- Create an unique "administrator" id (different than your normal blogging personae) to establish the site. That way you'll have an id different than "yours" as the site owner. That's key if you ever need to share or transfer primary site maintenance.
- Once you start the site, seek out collaborators. [You might find some on dKos.] It is more fun to do it with others. :-)
- Not sure what to write about? Read my earlier diary on "opposition blogging" (blogging ideas for turning red to blue). The central ideas work even in dark blue districts. Here's some ideas to get you started:
- Sign up for google news alerts on your representatives and on issues important to your district. The blogging entry I'm proudest of, "How Open for Business Should Wild, Wonderful West Virginia Be?", came from connecting the dots of google news alert stories. I also use google alerts to develop "news and notes" posts every few days.
- Find, visit, and link to non-political bloggers in your area. Effective political action is all about coalition building. In addition to giving you ideas on what to blog about, they are online influencers in your district. They could become your most effective allies.
- Read the local newspapers that cover your district. It's easy to find good news, bad news, good news coverage, and bad news coverage to highlight. Carnacki did a great job of putting all the state papers on our site's sidebar. That makes them even easier to visit regularly.
Imagine
Imagine waking on November 5, 2008, realizing that a slim margin of victory in your state swung enough electoral votes to elect the next Democratic President. That would be a really good feeling, wouldn't it?
What are you waiting for? Start blogging locally today.