Can we talk seriously about the influence of the leftist blogosphere?

[jpgray]

More specifically, the lack thereof? I've seen headlines from Salon, new rules from Bill Maher and innumerable posts and comments on the vast influence of leftist blogging on the voting public at large and its soporific, demoralizing effects on Democrats in particular. So about the leftist blogs:

First, nobody reads them.

Next, the very politicians fleeing from Obama's accomplishments and refusing to tout them are not leftists, nor are they or their voters liable to hear or be swayed by leftist criticism. They are moderates in conservative districts/states that make for timid Democrats. You know, the ones who compromised all the serious reforms into impotency. If leftist blogs had all the power then that is attributed to them now, where's my public option? I swear I was whining about it well before election season.

Finally, think about your average reliable mid-term voters. The great shift to Obama (that people claim is being lost through leftist blogging) represented moderate Dems and Independents, embarrassed former Republicans and complacent young people. The last group doesn't care about mid-terms, and the others aren't scanning Glenn Greenwald and boiling over in whiny, Marxist, pony-desiring rage.

The criticism that has impact for any significant number of voters (and therefore politicians) comes from the center-right, because that is all that exists for them. The universe of discourse for most voters is Obama/Pelosi on the far left, and perhaps DeMint/Beck on the far right. O'Reilly in this environment seems a center-right individual to most.

As a last word, I'm tired of hearing that even a lone -comment- in a nothing blog runs the risk of sapping the wills of untold millions of heretofore willing Democrats. The internet, particularly our corner of it, just doesn't have that kind of amperage. An effort to enforce message discipline on the insular whining of inevitably Democratic voters is to my mind the silliest waste of time imaginable during an election season.

People like you and me are not staying home, no matter what blogs we read.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Monique1]

2. I agree with you and I think you struck a nerve

[jpgray]

3. I wish I had read the deleted message

It would be depressing but not surprising if it accused me of being a paid shill, dishonestly casting a veil over the inexorable monopoly leftist blogs have on the average voter's mind.

[janx]

4. ...

:rofl:

[HughMoran]

5. In other words

...this is intended to be controversial - i.e. flamebait.

[janx]

7. I didn't read it that way...?

:shrug:

[HughMoran]

12. Must be my bias showing through

:rofl:

[POAS]

6. K&R n/t

[kentuck]

8. Yes, you and I can change the world...

at least, the Democratic Party. :-)

[WillyT]

9. Yep... K & R !!!

:kick:

:hi:

[EFerrari]

10. I embrace my leftist blogger overlords!

:)

[leveymg]

28. We're so diabolically clever no one realizes our OMNIPOTENCE! (Diabolical laughter soundtrack)

Only an idiot would need more proof that we succeeded in taking over the universe.

[janx]

11. The "leftist blogosphere" is miniscule.

Its existence is known only to online political junkies like us.

[janx]

13. One question re the "effort to enforce message discipline":

The term message discipline seems to be gaining in popularity, but I have no idea where it comes from or who is supposed to be enforcing it. :shrug:

Is this something making the rounds on blogs or TV talk shows?

[jpgray]

15. It's an old PR/marketing idea, came to the fore in politics during the '80s

Newt was a major proponent of making this a part of all GOP activity, starting with his Conservative Opportunity Society. The gist of it was to make Congressional elections a national referendum on the parties, with a unified message country-wide. While it used to be the case that you'd have weird quixotic candidates for weird quixotic districts, campaigns became so expensive and the GOP congressional campaign committee became such a dominant fundraiser that a few party leaders began to have considerable control over the message of party candidates. The current "Pledge" and earlier "Contract with America" represent this sort of thinking--unified talking points to be used by all candidates.

Message discipline of this kind is at times envied and emulated by Democrats, especially as one group becomes annoyed with another.

[janx]

16. Yeah, I remember this now.

And I can say I'd honestly prefer quixotic candidates for weird quixotic districts...but few would be happy with that.

[DirkGently]

14. Moreover, "leftist blogs" cannot simultaneously be wrong, irrelevant, AND threatening.

So the complaining about them is revealed to be nothing more than defensive partisan hackery. Which also indicates that it's the complaining about criticism that harms "party solidarity," because that's all non-Democrats take notice of.

[Ikonoklast]

17. One large pizza would feed them all.

In the overall sheme of things, their self-perceived 'influence' doesn't even register as a statistical blip.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Unvanguard]

19. You are pretty much right.

But by the same token, it is silly to pretend that Obama and the Congressional Democrats are going to do poorly because they didn't listen sufficiently to Glenn Greenwald.

[jpgray]

20. Definitely

I would go so far as to say any attempt to distill the multifarious influences that go into mass human behavior, such as an election, down to a single scapegoat, are doomed to look silly. This is what allows one pundit to argue Obama's socialist extremism has turned off the nation, while the other argues voters are repelled by his oligarchic corporatism, both using the same essential logic.

Could these points of view influence people here and there? Sure! When it is claimed as an exclusive or crucial cause, however, it starts to look silly.

[LoZoccolo]

21. I think they have largely become street theater intended to scare elected officials into thinking

that there'll be this huge revolt at the polls come next election, or to satiate each other emotionally. The reason people passionately defend the impression that the "netroots" have such power is, I imagine, that they know it doesn't.

[blondeatlast]

22. Word. Those who "sit it out" aren't worthy of our concern; those who vote,

even with thumb and forefinger firmly enclosing nostrils, have earned a say.

[bvar22]

23. Thank You, Leftist Blogosphere!

More People will see THIS today than the fliers I put under windshield wipers twenty years ago.

These are values I strongly believe in. I have fought for these values long before I ever heard the name "Obama", "triangulation", or "Centrist" Democrats. I will keep fighting for these values no matter who is in the White House. If some choose to see this as an attack on the President or The Democrats, that is THEIR problem.

*Medicare for anyone who wants it

*The IMMEDIATE reduction of Military Spending by AT LEAST 50%

*The immediate break-up (Trust Busting) of everything "Too Big to Fail".

*Fair Competition Legislation that lets Mom&Pop (small locally owned businesses and farms) compete with Big Box and Factory Farms on a level playing field.

*An end to "Free Trade" (Race to the Bottom)

*Organized LABOR and local co-ops.

*An end to the two-tiered Judicial System

*Prosecution of rich American War Criminals and War Profiteers. (Oh yes they did!)

*An END to "Corporate Personhood"

*Strictly Enforced Publicly Financed Elections (severe penalties for criminals)

*Transparent and Verifiable elections (Why isn't this a front burner issue with the Democratic Party?)

*Re-Regulation with strict oversight of Banking/Investment, Transportation, Communications, Trade, Energy, Utilities, Insurance.

*NO Public Money for private Prisons, armed Private Police, armed Defense Contractors, private intelligence agencies or For Profit Health Insurance Corporations.

*Immediate Civil Rights and Equal Protection for ALL. (No Exceptions)

*Free Quality Universal Education to everyone who wants it.

*Strong Social Safety Net and Consumer Protections.

*An end to The Patriot Act and a return to The Constitution (especially Habeas and privacy protections).

*A refutation of the "Unitary Executive", and legislation to ensure it NEVER happens again.

*Iron Clad protections for The Environment, severe penalties for criminals, and a STRONG enforcement agency to police America.

*An END to Republican/Corporate influence INSIDE The Democratic Party !
(NO! They DON"T deserve a seat at the table!)

It is an "Issues" thing, not a matter of Political Personalities.
When politicians move toward the above, I will support them.
When they move away, I will oppose them.
I don't expect to get everything, but I DO expect some respect for these values, and a voice in the Party that is asking for my money and support.
If a Political Party does not at least acknowledge these values and give them a seat at the table, I will find another Party that will.

Thank You, Leftist Blogoshpere, for allowing me to stick this under your windshield wiper!
It doesn't matter to me how many people see this or read it.
That is beyond my control.
It ONLY matters that I STAND for the above,
am willing to FIGHT FOR the above.
:hi:

[Lilith Velkor]

26. +a gazillion

[glitch]

29. Kick for this post. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

24. My clique-of-one agrees. K&R

[prolesunited]

25. Two deleted posts

You must be so proud. :P

[jpgray]

27. Clearly there is no room for pride on a political message board

Unless it be of the most virtuous civic variety, thankyouverymuch. :P