Kerry's Iowa win proves blogs are fun but they don't matter

[Pez]

While the internet is a great way to interact and meet other supporters, it only helps if those people decide tobe active in the campaign. What we all say on here makes no difference to most people, since most people don't read this crap. Further more, I'd be willing to bet my left pinky that a majority on here are from CA or NY and since both don't vote until March 2 they may be too late to make any real difference in this thing.

[J B]

1. Making caucuses key makes sure 99.999% of us are irrelevant

At least some of the other votes will be actual primaries.

[La_Serpiente]

2. My take

Here is just a thought to throw out there. How many Dean Blogs are out there? I am assuming there are thousands of them. Some of the most prominent bloggers, DailyKos and Atrios, support Dean. It is nice that they do, but did they hold him accountable? Is there flexibility in the Dean movement? Were there any constructive criticisms said about Dean within the Dean movement?

I am hoping a Dean supporter could provide some introspection on this thought of mine.

Another question one may want to answer is, "Is the internet a fluid or solid base?" Traditional Democratic Groups, like NOW, Sierra Club, NAACP, etc. do not change very quickly. On the Internet, things change very fast IMO. And how does this affect an election?

My take on blogging? I think it is very useful and we should, after learning what we have seen in this primary season, capitalize on our successes and apply it for the 2006 and 2008 elections. Morever, I do not think it should be used as the principal form of campaigning. The internet for organizing (i.e. MeetUp, etc.)? Definetly helpful.

One other point is that the internet is an awesome tool to find out information about the different candidates. The internet should not be shunned, but treated as a database of information that is open to interpretation and thinking.

[Old and In the Way]

4. This is the 1st Presidential campaign that is leveraging the net

I think it's having a substantial effect. I suspect that it will become an even more powerful tool in the future, in ways we haven't even figured out yet.

[La_Serpiente]

5. you know what

it probably will. It is just in its stages of infancy now.

On Edit: The best thing about blogs, I feel, is that they sometimes keep the media in check. Nobody would know about Nedra Pickler's biased articles if it wasn't for blogs.

[HazMat]

7. Internet is an awesome tool, but...

It is nice that they do, but did they hold him accountable?

IMO, they don't. The Dean movement has an important message (i.e. shaking up the party and taking a vocal stand for Democratic values), but most of the time they resemble a cult, if you ask me, and it scares off the moderate/centrist/mainstream/apolitical/non-Bush haters/older/mature voters (which comprise most of the electorate). The average voter looks for certain qualities in a President and cult-like fanaticism (or what comes across that way) is not one of them.

Another question one may want to answer is, "Is the internet a fluid or solid base?"

I would think it's a solid base, like any other, which is the problem with basing an entire campaign around "the internet". People who use the Internet regularly tend to be a pretty specific demographic: middle-to-upper class young whites. Treating the internet as some sort of "caucus" or referendum means that a small, privileged group picks the candidate, which is really no better than party bosses doing it.

The internet should not be shunned, but treated as a database of information that is open to interpretation and thinking.

Agree, but we always have to remember than the Internet is not some broad sampling of America -- generally speaking it's a select group of people.

[Old and In the Way]

3. No one called the race right, blog pundits or corporate broadcast

media.

But I totally disagree with your conclusions on the bloggers impact on one critical point. They have been quite influential in disseminating information and helping the public understand what this unelected government is up to. Look at the results of the turnout. I think they have been a big factor in energizing the opposition to get involved.

I'm from Maine and we (my wife and I) are helping to organize our town caucus. We can make a difference and the truth/support we share really helps.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. The polls called it.

[HazMat]

9. Not exactly

The polls showed a statistical dead heat. The one thing it was correct on was that Kerry and Edwards were gaining quickly... it indicated momentum and the eventual outcome.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

6. I do agree that 'most people don't read this crap' lol

It matters to some extent but normal politicking counts for a whole lot more. But of course it is an information age and it's just part of it now. Kerry's campaign had a pretty shaky internet operation for awhile but they've gotten their act together pretty good now. I'll be voting in Montana's last-in-the-nation primary on June eighth. Well, I guess someone has to go first, someone has to go last...