Soon DU will become a "Must Go To" for most candidates for major office

[opihimoimoi]

With DU having 40 000 plus members, this place rocks. For candidates, this place is a gold mine.

Like anything else, it takes time to learn how to come away with a bag of new ideas, concepts, thoughts, etc.

The candidate/staff, if not here already, will soon learn to filter out the chaff and where to find the action.

The question: Can DU be of help to the DEM Party? Of course it can.

How Long will it take before the rush to come here truly is noticeable?

[terrya]

1. We're gaining in influence, but realistically a couple of years. eom

[ieoeja]

2. None of the above.

I doubt DU will ever be a go-to.

[ewagner]

3. If you want/need activists

DU is the place to be!

I think some of the candidates in the primary figured this out pretty quickly, and as Kerry's campaign gets more organized, I suspect his people will be trolling for activists here....

Many of us are already involved in other campaigns and bring DU insights to those campaigns.

It will only get better.

[RandomKoolzip]

4. Okay, about 15,000 of those people are freepers.

And another 10,000 are just lurkers. I'm estimating, sure, but come on: we all know we see the same 300 or so screennames over and over again. It's not like there's really 40,000 of us actively pursuing our goals here.


There was a post a couple of days ago asking all 40,000 of us to e-mail CNN. It got over 200 replies. 40,000 divided by 200 is what?


Admittedly, we're becoming notorious. Rush hates us, LGF hates us, we're synonymous with "nutball" among conservative pundits (a abadge I wear with pride), and supposedly big name politicos of the Dem persuasion come here for advice...that is if you believe certain DUers who also call for the defeat of the party in 2004 (I'm not mentioning any names....)


Remember the "think tank" threads? We're not a think tank. We (the 300 of us who actually give a shit) CAN influence the public debate on issues, but whether we can influence policy remains to be seen.

[Beaker]

5. LGF?

if someone hates me, i'd like to know what their initials stand for...

[RandomKoolzip]

6. "Little Green Footballs."

A blog run by Andrew Sullivan, a Log Cabin resident.

[charlie]

17. LGF is Charles Johnson and his brother's site

though nasty Andy probably wouldn't feel out of place there.

[H2O Man]

7. 40,000 members

means that DU has the potential to be a meaningful resource in national politics. But until the people on here begin to go out into the community, and work on voter education, registration, and organization, it will remain a fun cultural chat room, without serious political influence. Look closely: 40,000 in 50 states = about 800 people per state. That's not going to change the outcome of many elections alone. But if each of us were to register 100 people by July, to write 10 letters-to-the-editors, and to become a agent of change, then that potential could become real.

[THUNDER HANDS]

8. as much as I love DU

This is a message board. Just a message board. A very nice message board. But still...just a message board.

[lovedems]

9. I think DU makes a difference. There are some creative individuals

on this board and while policy might not yet be effected, there isn't a doubt in my mind that this message board has gained the attention of major players.

Democrats are all about grassroots and Howard Dean can attest to that! This is fertile grounds for those who seek grassroots activists.

There are some some smart liberals here and just as I learn from them, I am sure there are policy makers that do as well.

[TrogL]

10. The conspiracy theorists are making us a laughing stock

You should see some of the nonsense posted in the 9-11 forum.

[RandomKoolzip]

11. Right....

And the Hillary conspiracy theories on FR make them look like total empiricist geniuses by comparison.

One of the reasons I like this place is the "conspiracy theories." Remember when just mentioning Cheney's secret energy meetings would get you clled a "conspiracy theorist?"


Watergate, at one time, was dismissed as a conspiracy theory.

[rinsd]

13. True......

"And the Hillary conspiracy theories on FR make them look like total empiricist geniuses by comparison."

But considering their membership numbers(or at least claimed numbers even then), one can argue that the whole Clinton drug dealer/murderer thing effectively negated their potential power.

[gandalf]

12. Hey TrogL, I have a poll for you!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1487327

[opihimoimoi]

14. a shameless kick.

:bounce:

[DS1]

15. OP, I love ya guy, but no, they should run, far far away from here

[opihimoimoi]

16. I know, its infested but what the heck, don hurt to lurk

manybe pick up ideas or components of.

Or drop us off a note or two...might encourage more members.