Merry Christmas Kerrycrats, from the MSM (yes really)

[demdiva]

First, the FLIP-FLOPPER statement that Senator Kerry made is making the rounds on CNN Headline News today. Of course globalvillage found it first! http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=273&topic_id=117565&mesg_id=117565

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/22/AR2006122201182.html

This story, from the Associated Press, is appearing on WaPo online today as well.

Candidates Turn to Web to Reach Voters
By PHILIP ELLIOTT
The Associated Press
Sunday, December 24, 2006; 8:37 PM

WASHINGTON -- Al Gore claimed he invented it. John McCain predicted it would revolutionize political campaigning. Howard Dean made it pay _ and then some.

Ah, the Internet.

As candidates prepare for the 2008 presidential campaign, the Internet is the new Main Street. An estimated 70 percent of adults in the United States travel the digital highway, still a cheap and largely unregulated medium.

- snip -

The model for many presidential wannabes is former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean. True, Dean was soundly defeated in his race for the 2004 Democratic nomination. But his campaign relied on the Internet to raise an enviable $53 million; more than 60 percent of donors gave less than $200 each.

- snip -

But the recognized Democratic leader when it comes to the Internet is Sen. John Kerry, his party's 2004 nominee. He has a 3 million-plus e-mail list of supporters, donors and activists.

The Massachusetts senator sent e-mails to supporters more than 300 times between Election Day 2004 and Election Day 2006. He also has used his campaign apparatus to give away $14 million in donations to candidates last cycle. During a two-day period this year, he used his e-mail contacts to raise $900,000 for four Senate candidates.

"This represents the community of activists," said David Thorne, who organized Kerry's 2004 Web strategy and remains an adviser. "These are people who want to be active and supportive of progressive causes. There was no more important progressive cause than getting Bush out of the White House in '04."

Maybe it really is the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas
(More at the link!)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/24/AR2006122400137.html

[globalvillage]

1. Woo Hoo!!!

Merry Christmas!

[karynnj]

2. Merry Christmas and thanks for linking to that positive story

The DU-P thread pulled out Thorne's comment. It seems it hit a nerve. There is no question that Kerry has an asset in that list. Oddly, the posters make the same error the media usually does speaking just of raising money. This is the first article that I have seen that eludes to how it has been used for activism.

[wisteria]

3. There really is a Santa Claus! Merry Christmas! n/t

[ProSense]

4. Thanks for the info! Merry Christmas All! n/t

[JI7]

5. what can we do to spread that out into the "real world" ?

or maybe it's best if we just continue providing the support base and allow him to do the other stuff.

[fedupinBushcountry]

6. Delete

wrong thread

[kerrygoddess]

7. Read this late last night

Finally got around to posting on the Dem Daily - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=5003

Also cross posted on Dem Bloggers and the Unofficial Kerry Blog.

P.S. Still looking for voices to blog on the Unofficial Kerry Blog, it's got a 3/12 year established history - it could use some love and attention. (PM me if interested) :)