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I have a few moments this morning to write some thoughts about the Convention. If YearlyKos is representative of Progressive blogs then one can argue successfully that this microcosm is not very different from the larger society. Out of 1400 registrants, the average age is probably 44 years old, I have counted maybe 35 African-Americans, and women are outnumbered almost 3 to 1.
The Washington Post says this today: two seemingly contradictory realities: blogs' growing influence as powerful backroom players in Democratic circles and the fact that they don't reflect the views of most Democrats, much less the general public.
Powerful backroom players - you can definitely see this at the convention. There is definitely a hierarchy in the blogosphere world; you can tell who are the worker bees and who are sitting up high. The table doesn't change. The same demographics that are making decisions today are the same ones that will be making the decisions in the future. The names change but the demographics don't. If the progressive blogosphere isn't about moving the diversity ball forward, then what it is about? Some moments at this conference you get the feeling that a ton of people are out for self while there are others that are about moving everyone.
I'm not being naive by thinking this convention is something more than it claims. It's like opening the door on the first day at a new school and I'm not sure this is exactly the school I want to attend. I'm coming from a completely different perspective because I'm a state blogger that does not engage much on national blogs nor attend blogosphere conventions. I'm not feeling that there is a lot of love or room for those like me at this convention. Bloggers that prefer to discuss and change our local politics in the context of national issues.
As the saying goes, "all politics are local". Maybe next year the YearlyKos convention can also adapt that saying to "all blogging is local". Or maybe there needs to be another convention strictly focused on state and local bloggers. The membership is there.
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I took this day to socialize and bond with other bloggers rather than sitting in sessions and getting talked at.
Nez and I had lunch at a local spot and went over to Grant Park where the Lollapoolaza concert was happening. Good stuff. Good bonding.
I was glad I took the day off from sessions because I had the chance to interact with some really cool bloggers that are doing good stuff in their home states. It was really good to hear other perspectives on the Democratic Party, immigration, working in rural communities and other topics. I definitely treasured the time I had to sit and chat with other convention goers.
Deak, Leek, and I attended the netroots nation candidates’ celebration. This event highlighted 32 candidates running in Federal, State, and local races. I couldn't get a clear understanding of how these candidates were chosen or what our responsibility as bloggers are to these candidates. But, I'll give all the candidates some linky link love.
Here are the 2008 Netroots Nation candidates:
Charlie Brown, California, 4th CD
Daniel Bliss, Illinois State Rep.
Jay Buckey, US Senate, New Hampshire
Darcy Burner, Washington, 8th CD
Donna Edwards, Maryland, 4th CD
Manny Flores, Chicago City Alderman
Jay Footlik, Illinois, 10th CD
Bill Foster, Illiniois, 14th CD
Dan Grant, Texas, 10th CD
Larry Grant, Idaho, 1st CD
Jay Inslee, Washington, 1st CD
Steve Kagen, Wisconsin, 8th CD
Scott Kleeb, Nebraska, 3rd CD
John Laesch, Illinois, 14th CD
Steve Marchand, US Senate, New Hampshire
Eric Massa, New York, 29th CD
Brad Miller, North Carolina, 13th CD
Steve Novick, US Senate, Oregon
Mark Pera, Illinois, 3rd CD
Jared Polis, Colorado, 2nd CD
Jon Powers, New York, 23rd CD
Mark Ritchie, Minnesota, Sec. of State
Nancy Skinner, Michigan, 9th CD
Dan Seals, Illinois, 10th CD
Ron Shepston, California, 42nd CD
Jeff Smith, Missouri, State Senate
Gary Trauner, Wyoming, At Large
Russ Warner, California, 26th CD
Barry Welsh, Indiana, 6th CD
Rachel Weston, Vermont, State Rep.
Mike Waltner, Pennsylvania, 3rd CD
Don Wiviott, US Senate, New Mexico
Ummm, yes, only one candidate from the South was chosen. I'm hoping that this is just the first round of candidates and that I'll be able to later add candidates from Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, or even Florida.
Here's a candidate that was at YKos as a participant and deserves some linky link love:
Leona Mcelevene, Michigan, Warren City Clerk
Coolest Netroots Nation candidate: Larry Grant, Idaho, 1st CD
Larry took the time to talk with Deak, Leek, and I. This guy has a great sense of humor and understanding of people. Wish that I could vote for him. We'll be pulling for you Larry down here in the Dirty South.
Jaw and Mouth dropping Netroots Nation candidate: Scott Kleeb, Nebraska, 3rd CD
Yowzer!! When he stood on the dais, you actually heard every woman's mouth drop open. Not to sound sexist (but this is definitely sexist), I haven't seen Wrangler jeans fit that well in a really long time. He's not just a really, really cute face, he's also a big environmentalist. He distributed tree saplings to everyone. I grabbed a white pine which I will plant at the South Carolina house if the evil TSA people allow me to bring it on the plane. Knowing the TSA, there is probably some damn rule about tree saplings and 3 ounces that I don't know about.
Has the Best Wife Netroots Nation candidate: Mike Waltner, Pennsylvania, 3rd CD
Why does Mike Waltner have the best wife? Because she's my friend, Heike Warmuth. Heike and I attended the Women's Campaign School at Yale. I have mad love for all the women that attended WCS and it was a great pleasure to see her at YKos. They are expecting a little Heike-Mike Warmuth Waltner in the very near future. I'll be rooting for Mike to win his race.
After the Netroots celebration, the Chicago 17 gathered together and went to dinner. OK it was real clear that none of us were Chicago cab savvy when we got ripped off by a limo driver. The limo dude offered to give us a ride to the restaurant for $30 for 9 of us. We thought that was a good deal because it would save gas by us going in one vehicle instead of multiple cabs. Ummm, we didn't realize it until we were on our way back to the convention center that this dude charged us $30 to drive only 3 blocks. Well, he went a completely different route than the return cab drivers which made the trip seem longer. We totally could have walked to the restaurant. Live and learn when you're traveling in the big city.
The shit went down when we were at the restaurant. Some local guys had some bad words to say to us and Jose stepped up to defend us. He kicked some major butt and from the melee he ended up like this:
woohoo!! I crack myself up. Just kidding. Jose pulled his sciatica nerve and Momma Martha magically found some crutches for him. He was a great trooper to withstand the agonizing pain and continue to hang out with his team. Jose definitely gets the "Trooper Blogger" award.
Nez, Penny, and Matt just chilling at the restaurant:
Nita and KidOakland
Belly up to Tondee's Tavern and read about the evening Party activities.
Footnote: Someone on the Barack Obama Team apparently had the authority and smarts to suspend the 1 campaign material per person rule. Good Leadership. The materials were flowing throughout the day.
Comments (2)
Ooooh, I am keenly aware of the fact that there is an established hierarchy in the blogosphere, and those at the top are just as interested in protecting their perch as any scoundrel in Washington.
Social dynamics, regardless of technology.
In any new field, there is the Cambrian explosion, the best and the brightest are identified and attention collasces and is focused toward them. Names get made, the people on top start to get more attention than the rest and begin to choose who they desire to associate with. Barriers to entry begin to rise with reputations.
In the final stage, those who made the big names realize what kind of power they have and start to warp the world around themselves.
On the other hand, the 'Net in the early days is probably one of the most meritocratic forums for getting ahead that there has been. It's hard to use a family name to become a good communicator.
The trick for us to figure is, as the 'Net matures, how to ensure that there is sufficient turnover to keep it meritocratic.