(Cross-posted at Trash Dirty Gary and The Liberal OC)

It’s been quite a wild week in the 42nd Congressional District. Ever since Ron Shepston announced that he’s running against Dirty Gary Miller, there have been quite some interesting developments that have occurred in the race to replace Dirty Gary. We’ve had the bloggers talk about going offline. We’ve had the California Democratic Party go online to announce its new website targeting Dirty Gary. We’ve heard rumors that a former Republican politician might reemerge to challenge Dirty Gary in the primary. Oh yes, and what did Ron say about John Kerry?

Follow me after the flip for all the latest dirt on Dirty Gary…

Part One: The Bloggers

The bloggers are coming out of the computer room. OK, so how do I know? The call has been made on Daily Kos. A few of my Kossack friends joined me at DFA Training last month, and they are ready to get the netroots involved in grassroots politics.

So what will come out of this? Hopefully, a whole lot of good work! I encourage our online friends, especially those of them in Southern California, to help us local activists in kicking some Dirty Gary arse and bringing some integrity back to the 42nd District!

Part Two: The Party

Nothing really prepared me for this. The California Democratic Party is actually doing something in the 42nd… And the 44th, as well as the 41st! It’s started the “Triangle of Corruption“, a web site that will keep track of all the dirty wrongdoings of Gary Miller, Ken Calvert, and Jerry Lewis. Way to go, CDP!

Part Three: The Other Challenger?

Oh my goodness, you just have to see this bit of salacious gossip that Art Pedroza included in this week’s “OC Political Chismes“! Apparently, there’s word out here that Lynn Daucher may run against Dirty Gary in the Republican Primary next June. Yes, you heard me right… Lynn Daucher!

So will Miss “Shopping for the Right District” end up running where she actually lives? I don’t know. Still, it would be nice to see Lynn run for office representing a place where she actually resides.

Part Four: The Candidate

Oh yes, and take a look at this, why dont you? No, Ron isn’t trying to take a jab at John Kerry. He’s just talking about how much the Daily Kos community contributes to Democratic victory. Go ahead and take another look at Ron’s latest Daily Kos diary… You might start thinking differently about “those crazy bloggers”.

Part Five: And Finally…

Here’s another rule that Dirty Gary broke! Cheese louise, he wore a hawaiian shirt inside the halls of Congress?! Not only does he have no respect for decorum, but he doesn’t even have any good taste! ; )

Over the past few weeks, there has been a wealth of information in the series of posts regarding the first Congressional run by a member of the netroots, and a campaign run by members of the netroots.  In fact, the entire list of posts is below, so you can go back and see the most excellent things that have been written about Ron Shepston and his historic run for Congress.

We were treated to posts that outline the district demographics, the incumbent and his myriad of ethical issues, the political landscape in the district as well as some of the very fine people who are working on this campaign, and why Ron is both an awesome guy and the right man for Congress (and no, those two terms are NOT mutually exclusive).  But what I want to talk about is why this oh-so-very important on many levels.

Previous diaries in the CA-42 campaign rollout series:
7/15: thereisnospoon’s CA-42: A Kossack is running for Congress
7/16: atdnext’s CA-42: The Case Against Dirty Gary Miller
7/17: Major Danby’s CA-42:  I’m managing a netroots U.S. House campaign
7/18: CanYouBeAngryAndStillDream’s CA-42: CA-42: Hi, I’m Ron Shepston and I’m running for Congress
7/19: hekebolos’s CA-42: A Netroots campaign– politics the way it should be.
7/20: dday’s CA-42: The Lay of the Land
7/21: OrangeClouds115 CA-42: “I Know His Heart”
7/22: Shockwave’s CA-42: Ron Shepston rides into a Republican stronghold
7/23: Major Danby’s CA-42: The DCCC knows us, reads us, and likes us
7/24: Major Danby’s CA-42: On YearlyKos, anger, and dreams
7/25: thereisnospoon’s Get Off the Internet!
7/26:  buhdydharma’s Help Save This Baby! **

I’m only talking about the future of progressive politics and the foundation of an infrastructure that has been built over the past few years, and more importantly, how we have been shaping that infrastructure, how we helped move it along in 2006, how we are continuing to do it through the 2008 elections and how 2008 will be a springboard for the future..

Yeah, yeah, you will probably say – heard it before.  Well, sure, you probably heard it from me here or here or even here.  So, it is safe to say that I have at least given this whole “progressive movement/infrastructure” thing a lot of thought (right, wrong or other).

Building a lasting movement requires us to think about what we will do in 2008 and later – after Bush is gone from the White House, and (hopefully) with the Democrats in control of Congress and the White House.  Sure, we have to stay on top of them to make sure that they don’t overstep, or that they do things that are for the good of We the People.  Or even that they are kept honest, and that more progressive primary candidates challenge those who are more of the DINO mold (to the extent practical and reasonable, of course).

But it goes way beyond just railing and ranting against Bush, the republicans or whatever isn’t fair or right.  And just as the netroots led the charge to counter the lies and crimes of the administration and the republican party, the netroots will “grow up” and adapt to the changing times.  Whether that means pushing policy, or being part of the “progressive message machine” or developing future leaders – this is the direction that we should collectively be looking towards.

And this is why Ron Shepston’s campaign as well as all of us here is such an integral part of this.  Building off of Brian Keeler’s (NYBri) run for NY State Senate in 2006, a national campaign with the support of the netroots – and run for and by us in the netroots, win or lose, it is a giant leap forward in terms of credibility.

Gandhi had a famous statement:  “first they ignore you, then they mock you, then they fight you, then you win”.  Well, we have been in the “then they fight you” phase for a while now.  2006 was a big step forward, and the acknowledgment by many in Congress that the netroots had a significant enough hand in tipping the balance of power in Congress (at least the Senate) to the Democrats.  And not just in the way that many of us have done for years – canvassing, phone calls, working on campaigns, donating money – but also by sharing ideas, successes, challenges and stories.

We are a force to be reckoned with, and both Democrats and republicans see what the netroots is able to accomplish.  Obviously, we still need to do all of the above things – donate money, canvass, share ideas and work on campaigns.  However, the “netroots campaign” of Ron Shepston is one that will give us and our causes a substantial amount of credibility.  Even for those of us who don’t live in CA-42, there is a LOT that we can do to help out this campaign.  It is not just Ron’s campaign.  It is our campaign. 

And it is just the beginning.  For Ron.  For the netroots.  For the progressive movement.

To donate to Ron’s campaign, all you have to do is click here!!!

(And if you’re in Southern California, YOU can also meet Ron Shepston at EITHER ORANGE COUNTY DRINKING LIBERALLY TONIGHT! Come to Rancho Santa Margarita at 7:00 PM and/or Santa Ana at 9:00 PM tonight, and meet the candidate! : ) – promoted by Andrew Davey (atdleft))

Yesterday, if you made your way to DailyKos, The Liberal OC, or right here to Calitics, you probably got the word that the blogosphere’s own Ron Shepston is running for Congress in California’s 42nd district against Dirty Gary Miller.  His campaign is being managed by DailyKos and Calitics poster Greg Diamond (aka Major Danby), and as you can see from his rollout yesterday Shepston’s starting out on the right foot.  He’s already hit on many of what I consider to be the most important elements of a campaign that’s insurgent and forward-thinking without abandoning everything good about traditional values and expectations.  So, for these and the other reasons I’ll dig into on flip, and in keeping with the newly established procedure for gaining Calitics endorsement, I nominate Ron Shepston to join Charlie Brown, Jerry McNerney and Mark Leno as an official Calitics Endorsed Candidate for 2008.

The Calitics endorsement process going forward will work like this (I’m sure with slight tweaks as necessary):

– A candidate can be nominated via diary by anyone, preferably with a bit of background on the candidate and why they would be deserving of consideration.  This diary will also be used as an opportunity for the Calitics community to pose questions for the candidate which would be relevant to determining if an endorsement is deserved.

– After questions have been suggested, an interview will be arranged with a member of the Calitics team in which the candidate will have the chance to respond to your questions and expand on what you may already know about them and their candidacy.

– The interview will be posted on Calitics for review by the general community who can then vote up or down on an official endorsement.  The community’s vote will count for 50% of the total and the Calitics Editorial Board will make up the remaining 50%.  A nominated candidate will need 60% of the overall vote to receive an endorsement and a spot on the Calitics ActBlue Page.

Confusing enough for you? Great. Now back to Ron.  Here at Calitics, we’ve been fortunate to have Ron as a diarist and commenter for quite some time, and the discourse has been better for it.  His stated goals are generally the sort that, just a few years ago, might have seemed rather humble, but now are desperately important.  “Defend the Constitution and the rule of law – while we can” he said yesterday.  Fighting for Democratic principles.  And no, it doesn’t hurt that he’s drawn on a number of impressive bloggers (thereisnospoon, Hekebolos, occams hatchet, clammyc, OrangeClouds115, atdnext, Shockwave, dday, vernonlee, theKK) to get the campaign rolling.

So this is our chance to get him talking about the issues.  I’ll be in Orange County tonight on a social call, and again over the weekend at which time, if we’ve gotten questions, I can hopefully sit Ron down and ask him your questions.  So how about it Calitics? The floor is open to you, ask whatever you need to ask in order to feel comfortable giving your endorsement.

(Woo-hoo! A REAL netroots candidate in Orange County! What more could I possibly ask for? Oh yes, and you can also enjoy this at Daily Kos and The Liberal OC! ; ) – promoted by atdleft)

(photo from Wikipedia)
I posted this over at dKos but really wanted to put it here because it’s such an important site in California netroots.

Caution is preferable to rash bravery – Sir John Falstaff, King Henry the Fourth, Part I

Falstaff may be beloved, but he was not who you wanted leading you into battle.  Political challengers today need to be brave, brash, maybe even a little rash.

In World War II, when the gates came down in LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel), exposing the marines and soldiers inside to uncounted barrages of fire, they didn’t sit around discussing whether it was prudent to charge ahead with the goal of defeating a formidable enemy.  No one had to order them to go to give their lives; they just did it.  They had a world to save and they gave their lives for a cause they believed in.

Today, those of us who would defend the Constitution have a new fight.  Today, as a Democrat, a veteran, and a longtime member of this community, I’m marching off to that fight.

I’m running for Congress.

My campaign manager, Major Danby says that he likes this photo of me that he took at the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade, where I marched with the Democratic Party of Orange County, and that it has to appear near the top of the diary so people know who’s talking to them.  Here you go.
 

Now let’s talk about my campaign.

I’m running because Congress has let the President stomp on the Constitution, balloon the deficit, and get us stuck in a misbegotten war.  Gary Miller seems to see his position in Congress mostly as a way to make money for his friends.  I swore an oath to defend the Constitution when I was in the Air Force during Viet Nam (1966-1970), and that’s why I’m going to run.  I’m going to swear another oath to defend the Constitution as a Congressman. I didn’t see combat then but that doesn’t stop me from fighting now and when I get to Congress.

No one has elected me to “represent the netroots” in a run for Congress, but I think my opinions on issues reflect those of the broad community.  I want us out of Iraq and back to making the alliances with other countries that we /need/ to fight terrorism.  I want single-payer health insurance that is available to all.  I want a government that respects scientific facts – in global warming and otherwise – rather than fantasies that give them some political advantage – in making policy decisions.  But if there is one issue that motivates me above all others, it’s this:

*I want to defend the Constitution and the rule of law – while we can.*

There are forces in and out of our elected government who think that they have the right to ignore our laws and the fundamental basis for American values.  We see it with signing statements, defying subpoenas, ignoring constitutional amendments, evading Congressional oversight, and flouting federal law.  While this President and Vice-President have stomped on the Constitution, my opponent, Gary Miller, has held their coats.

I’ve been around for a long time and I have never before seen such a concerted effort on the part of a political party to subvert our precious and beloved form of government.  Not even Nixon.  At least Nixon had the honor to leave after even Republicans told him that it was that or be impeached and removed from office.  As I’ve written here, in effect Bush and his associates have been instituting something like a slow coup against our very system of government.  Their monarchical vision of our government is not how our system is supposed to work; we must restore our system to its proper form.

Democrats have control of the House – and control of the Senate when Joe Lieberman is thinking straight – which gives them a lot of power. It’s not total power, but it’s more than they use. Our party has the power to inform and rally and lead Americans. But too many members of our party convince themselves that it’s best to play it safe and wait until 2008, when they hope that things will all get better.

I think that’s wrong.  I think that we need to take the fight to the enemies of our Constitution.

Think back again to the Marines and Army storming the beaches of Normandy.  Imagine where we’d be if they stayed in their LSIs and waited for the enemy to leave!  It’s time that we metaphorically storm the beaches of government and take our country back from the enemy who would destroy it for their own purposes. 

If we storm all fronts, from the Water Board to every single Congressional District, we will overwhelm the enemies of the rule of law.  We will make America a better place and restore our values, honor and dignity in the world – and thus our public safety as well.

I want to be part of the second landing wave. The first wave consisted of Jon Tester and Jim Webb, of John Hall, Paul Hodes, Nancy Boyda, Jeremy Kalin, California’s own Jerry McNerney and others who were encouraged – some say in part put into office – by the blogosphere.  It consisted too of people like Brian Keeler who fired a shot across the bow of those who cling to power without serving the public good.  We were part of the solution in 2006.  I believe that we’re helping to foster a fundamental change in America.

I’ve been part of this community for 2-1/2 years.  I’m not a candidate coming /to/ the netroots for support; I’m a candidate coming /from/ the netroots.  I believe that I’m the first “homegrown” netroots candidate to run a viable campaign for the United States Congress.  I won’t be the last.

This is not a vanity or protest campaign. California’s 42^nd district is Republican-dominated, but increasingly independent – which means that it’s full of people who think like Democrats whom we have to convince to /vote/ the way they /think/.  It’s a district I can win.  The local party establishment supports me.  My opponent, Gary Miller, has been swimming so long in the ethical cesspool of Congressional privilege that he’s grown gills.  He’s vulnerable – but no one was on the ballot against him in 2006.  No local elected politician in the district – which has too few elected Democrats – is running against him next year.  So I’ve rashly stepped up and strapped up; now I’m going to show up and make people sit up and pay attention.

Part of why my campaign will be noticed – one reason that it has captured the interest of people /outside/ of the blogosphere – is that I am from the netroots and they’ve seen what it can accomplish.  Among the netroots who have been part of an incredible brain trust so far are thereisnospoon, Hekebolos, occams hatchet, clammyc, OrangeClouds115, atdnext, Shockwave, dday, vernonlee, theKK and the many others who’ve been part of this by means of offering their support and good wishes and still keeping it a “secret”. Major Danby will be managing my campaign full-time.  You probably recognize some of those names.  You’ll be reading a lot of diaries about the campaign from them in the days to come.

My aim in this campaign is to bring the netroots to the many wonderful people I’ve been meeting in the grassroots, and to bring back here some of what they have to offer.  With the spirit and broad expertise of the netroots and the local knowledge and drive of the grassroots, I think we can create something different and new.

I will come here looking for money like other candidates do; for the netroots to come out strongly for my campaign will get attention throughout the political world.  But today, having just announced, is not the day for a hard sell.  I’ll just say this: if you’d like to be among the first to contribute to my campaign, please go to my ActBlue page.  The amount of money that people donate, and the number of people donating, will for better or worse dictate much of the reaction that the world beyond the netroots will have towards my campaign.  To show them that we have a chance, we need to show them that we have a base.

This is not just about one candidate or one campaign, but about building a movement.  It’s about the netroots making connections with the grassroots, and with the voting public. The future of our movement is everywhere in the country, in whatever races we choose to focus our efforts.  It’s about re-establishing the rule of law.  It’s about defending America and American ideals. Are we ready to do that together?

(OMG, I can hardly wait for the 18th! : ) – promoted by atdleft)

It is a rare privilege to be present at the creation of something extraordinary–but it is an even rarer priviliege to be the first to announce that creation to the public.  Today, I am greatly honored to introduce to the netroots community and the world the creation of a new kind of campaign–a campaign of bloggers and onine activists, run by bloggers and online activists, managed by managed by online activists, and with a homegrown blogger as its candidate.

And it’s not just any campaign: it’s a campaign for Congress.  It’s a campaign against one of the most corrupt and reactionary Republicans on Capitol Hill (which is really saying something).  It’s a campaign that, until a few short months ago, had no credible Democratic candidate to offer–until that is, someone stepped forward to take on the challenge.  And that someone turned out to be one of us.

It is often said that great things come from small beginnings.  The tiny seeds of this campaign were first planted several months ago at an unassuming, convivial gathering at Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles’ famed Miracle Mile district.  Many of Southern California’s most prominent Kossacks had gathered to celebrate the arrival of our good friend clammyc, who was in town on a business trip.  Out of that gathering came a decision to do more than just blogging and traditional activism; we decided that we needed to work together–as a team–to support a candidate for Congress.  A candidate who would reflect the interests and ethos of the progressive netroots.

Little did we know, on that festive evening, that that candidate would be one of us there in that room.

Fast forward to today, and what had been a twinkle in our eyes is now a reality–complete with a blogger candidate, a blogger campaign manager, and an entire blogger brain trust full of some of the DailyKos community’s best and brightest from Southern California and beyond.  The ActBlue page is ready, the local grassroots and insiders behind us, and every structure in place.  There is no credible primary challenger looming, and the Republican incumbent is, shall we say, more than a little vulnerable.  Following in the footsteps of Dailykos’ own inimitable NYBri, we have the opportunity to take a giant leap for the Netroots and for progressives all across America.

Unfortunately, I can’t give you the name of the candidate just yet.  I’ve been asked by the campaign–whose identity is being kept secret until the official announcement is made here on July 18 (so if you know the secret, keep quiet until then!)–to begin the online rollout for the campaign right here on Daily Kos where it all began.

Tomorrow, our own atdleft is going to introduce you to our ethically-challenged (not to mention legally challenged!) opponent in this race, Gary Miller.  atdnext will also introduce the blog he already has up and running, cataloging Gary Miller’s abuses of ethics, law and common decency. 

On Tuesday the 17th, our own Campaign Manager will reveal himself.

And then on Wednesday the 18th, you’ll hear from our Candidate.

From then until the beginning of the YearlyKos convention, many of us who are supporting the campaign in a variety of roles–including a lot of names you’ll recognize instantly–will be writing about different aspects of the campaign: who we are, what we are doing, why we believe in the candidate, the makeup of the district, and why we can–and will–win this race.  We’ll be keeping you informed about every facet of our campaign–because when it comes down to it, this is your campaign, made possible only because this amazing community.

Today, though, I want to celebrate a little bit.  What we have undertaken here is nothing less than “Crashing the Gate” in direct action.  It is just one part of a great leap forward being made all across the progressive netroots to expand our efforts into an honest-to-goodness movement rivaling that of the post-Goldwater conservatives.

This campaign is, simply put, an unprecedented step for the netroots.  We’ve had announced candidates who have come to large community blogs for support–from Presidential candidates like John Kerry and John Edwards to Congressional candidates like Eric Massa, John Laesch and Larry Kissell to many candidates for state, local, and party office.  We have one longtime Kossack, ben masel, who has run a protest campaign for U.S. Senate, and another, our beloved Brian Keeler, who has run a credible campaign for the New York State House and is fighting the good fight again in ’08.

But this is without parallel: we have never had a “homegrown” blogger candidate.  We have never had a netroots participant–someone well-known who has literally been around for years on DailyKos–run for federal office.  We have never had a blogger running not just up against the gates as a protest candidate, but straight through them with the backing of the local Democratic Party.  And we have certainly never had a homegrown blogger running against a Congressman who, despite his conservative district, is being targeted by the DCCC and is regularly named as among the most vulnerable due to scandal.

Perhaps just as importantly, we have never before had a campaign tapping the special abilities and creative talents of netroots activists from top to bottom, from campaign management to strategy to research to outreach to fundraising.  This is truly people-powered politics at its finest: a gathering of some of the best progressive talent available, made possible only by the organizing power of the blogs and the extraordinary energy of this vibrant community.  It’s going to be a hard, long struggle of a campaign–but if experience shows anything over the last many years, it is that there is literally nothing that this community cannot accomplish politically when we put our heads together to make this great country accountable to the people once again.

So watch for the diaries over the next few days: atdnext tomorrow the 16th; the campaign manager on the 17th; the Candidate on the 18th; and more beyond that.  And let us turn this small beginning into a momentous journey for democracy, people-powered politics, progressives and netroots enthusiasts nationwide.

It is a rare privilege to be present at the creation of something extraordinary–but it is an even rarer priviliege to be the first to announce that creation to the public.  Today, I am greatly honored to introduce to the netroots community and the world the creation of a new kind of campaign–a campaign of bloggers and onine activists, run by bloggers and online activists, managed by managed by online activists, and with a homegrown blogger as its candidate.

And it’s not just any campaign: it’s a campaign for Congress.  It’s a campaign against one of the most corrupt and reactionary Republicans on Capitol Hill (which is really saying something).  It’s a campaign that, until a few short months ago, had no credible Democratic candidate to offer–until that is, someone stepped forward to take on the challenge.  And that someone turned out to be one of us.

It is often said that great things come from small beginnings.  The tiny seeds of this campaign were first planted several months ago at an unassuming, convivial gathering at Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles’ famed Miracle Mile district.  Many of Southern California’s most prominent Kossacks had gathered to celebrate the arrival of our good friend clammyc, who was in town on a business trip.  Out of that gathering came a decision to do more than just blogging and traditional activism; we decided that we needed to work together–as a team–to support a candidate for Congress.  A candidate who would reflect the interests and ethos of the progressive netroots.

Little did we know, on that festive evening, that that candidate would be one of us there in that room.

Fast forward to today, and what had been a twinkle in our eyes is now a reality–complete with a blogger candidate, a blogger campaign manager, and an entire blogger brain trust full of some of the DailyKos community’s best and brightest from Southern California and beyond.  The ActBlue page is ready, the local grassroots and insiders behind us, and every structure in place.  There is no credible primary challenger looming, and the Republican incumbent is, shall we say, more than a little vulnerable.  Following in the footsteps of Dailykos’ own inimitable NYBri, we have the opportunity to take a giant leap for the Netroots and for progressives all across America.

Unfortunately, I can’t give you the name of the candidate just yet.  I’ve been asked by the campaign–whose identity is being kept secret until the official announcement is made here on July 18 (so if you know the secret, keep quiet until then!)–to begin the online rollout for the campaign right here on Daily Kos where it all began.

Tomorrow, our own atdleft is going to introduce you to our ethically-challenged (not to mention legally challenged!) opponent in this race, Gary Miller.  atdnext will also introduce the blog he already has up and running, cataloging Gary Miller’s abuses of ethics, law and common decency. 

On Tuesday the 17th, our own Campaign Manager will reveal himself.

And then on Wednesday the 18th, you’ll hear from our Candidate.

From then until the beginning of the YearlyKos convention, many of us who are supporting the campaign in a variety of roles–including a lot of names you’ll recognize instantly–will be writing about different aspects of the campaign: who we are, what we are doing, why we believe in the candidate, the makeup of the district, and why we can–and will–win this race.  We’ll be keeping you informed about every facet of our campaign–because when it comes down to it, this is your campaign, made possible only because this amazing community.

Today, though, I want to celebrate a little bit.  What we have undertaken here is nothing less than “Crashing the Gate” in direct action.  It is just one part of a great leap forward being made all across the progressive netroots to expand our efforts into an honest-to-goodness movement rivaling that of the post-Goldwater conservatives.

This campaign is, simply put, an unprecedented step for the netroots.  We’ve had announced candidates who have come to large community blogs for support–from Presidential candidates like John Kerry and John Edwards to Congressional candidates like Eric Massa, John Laesch and Larry Kissell to many candidates for state, local, and party office.  We have one longtime Kossack, ben masel, who has run a protest campaign for U.S. Senate, and another, our beloved Brian Keeler, who has run a credible campaign for the New York State House and is fighting the good fight again in ’08.

But this is without parallel: we have never had a “homegrown” blogger candidate.  We have never had a netroots participant–someone well-known who has literally been around for years on DailyKos–run for federal office.  We have never had a blogger running not just up against the gates as a protest candidate, but straight through them with the backing of the local Democratic Party.  And we have certainly never had a homegrown blogger running against a Congressman who, despite his conservative district, is being targeted by the DCCC and is regularly named as among the most vulnerable due to scandal.

Perhaps just as importantly, we have never before had a campaign tapping the special abilities and creative talents of netroots activists from top to bottom, from campaign management to strategy to research to outreach to fundraising.  This is truly people-powered politics at its finest: a gathering of some of the best progressive talent available, made possible only by the organizing power of the blogs and the extraordinary energy of this vibrant community.  It’s going to be a hard, long struggle of a campaign–but if experience shows anything over the last many years, it is that there is literally nothing that this community cannot accomplish politically when we put our heads together to make this great country accountable to the people once again.

So watch for the diaries over the next few days: atdnext tomorrow the 16th; the campaign manager on the 17th; the Candidate on the 18th; and more beyond that.  And let us turn this small beginning into a momentous journey for democracy, people-powered politics, progressives and netroots enthusiasts nationwide.

Updated: Original title: Netroots 101 for Democratic Women of the Desert 

By request of Sandra Stone, president of Democratic Women of the Desert, and George Zander, president of Desert Stonewall Democrats, I took my fellow Democrats down the rabbit hole with me.  Many of our best Democratic activists here in the desert are still unfamiliar with a lot about the blogosphere, and I hope to bridge the gap a bit.  Word got around after Howie Klein’s visit with Democrats of the Desert last May.  These are politically savvy, experienced Democrats who show up, fundraise, canvass, and phonebank.  Time to join forces more effectively.  I want them in here. 

I’ve pulled some notes together and collected pertinent links.  The goal is more Democrats from the CA-45th active in the blogosphere.  Follow below the flip for the working outline of Netroots 101, a friendly introduction to the blogosphere:

Crossposted to Calitics

Netroots 101 – An introduction to the liberal blogosphere

Short version:  Read TalkingPointsMemo, DailyKos and Calitics (links below), and be an online advocate for your community.  It’s really, really fun in here, and worthwhile for any citizen.

“Some of you in the DNC may see us as barbarians at the gate. Some of us see ourselves as the cavalry.  The truth is, we are fresh horses.” — Miles Kurland, a grassroots DFA activist speaking directly to a large group of DNC members at the DNC Western Regional Caucus, 1/22/05

What is the Netroots Community? 
What are blogs?  Not necessarily journalism, nor literature, nor punditry.  Just free speech on the internet, homespun, in the best American DIY (Do It Yourself) tradition, with all of its potential consequences.  And pootie pics and ponies. 

Excellent example of campaign blogging:  Kid Oakland on why Howie Klein is a netroots hero

Daily Kos & Calitics
Click the sitemeter.  Review the blog reader survey.

Structure:  Login, Frontpage, Diaries, Comments. 
  Importance of rules, especially copyright issues, and wisdom of lurking at first. 
Daily Kos has an extensive FAQ

Types of Diaries/Posts: Recommended, rated, rescued, campaign round ups.
  Getting crossposted, evidence that someone else found merit in your posting.  Google always knows.  If Calitics front posts your diary, you will be read by the California political media. 
  Example of a comment on Daily Kos  – in this case, I’m adding Mary Bono’s latest gaffe to a posting about astronomic GOP stupidity.  Comments in front page postings are more likely to be read than your extensive diary on your candidate.  Participate in the conversation, and add your candidate’s POV where it’s pertinent to the conversation.  Include a link to the campaign webpage.

Database/Info Mgmt elements of blogs:  Links, tags, ratings, trusted user status, hidden comments.  Posting is relatively simple on most blogs, with handy buttons to add boldface, italics, links & pics

Community Features:
The Scotty Show, Sunday Talk, BlueAmerica interviews, Cheers & Jeers.  Digby Revealed at the Take Back America Conference, June 07.  This was the first time her millions of readers got a chance to see or hear the person behind the brilliant words.

Jargon:   snark, trolls, concern trolls, flame wars, meta, DFHs, WATBs, WTF?
  wingnuts/moonbats, Sockpuppets (Lee Siegal example)  Bwahahahaha. 
For your reference, the Lexicon of Liberal Invective. 

Netroots ethos:  Transparency is mandatory, though real names are not.  Why.

Commenting Policy for Crooks and Liars 

The Debased Mainstream Media – now part of the Beltway elite, often worse than useless
Media Matters, working the refs, corporate takeover, stenography
The Deborah Howell re Abramoff Affair, Judy Miller, Broder, Klein, Hiatt, Tweety, Timmeh.  Cocktail weenies.  HuffPost’s Russert watch.  We want professional journalism, and we react to bad work.  Remedies applied:
*Firedoglake and the Libby Trial  Legal expertise, and giving a damn about outing a spy made the difference. 
*TPM and the US Attorneys issue – Having some regard for the role of the Justice Dept. made the difference.  Document dump teamwork.
NB:  You will be held to the same standards when you post a diary or comment.  Expect feedback on style and substance.  Do Not expect it to be uniformly flattering. 

Flip side:  The netroots give proper support and attention to writers like Paul Krugman, Frank Rich, Sy Hersh, Dana Priest, Dan Froomkin, Murray Waas,  Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, etc.  We have their backs. 

Issues with Democrats – The DLC’s sticky fingers and why centrists are perceived as tools, not pragmatists, in the current political environment-  Buying into RW frames and media fatuousness.  Lieberman, the Fox News Democrat, Short Ride Joe.  The whole Rahm v. Dean tension.  Shrum/Consultants, feh.

Venting:  YouTube of Jim Mora, linked in blogs everywhere after the last Iraq funding vote to voice the disgust:

Beloved Democrats – Howard Dean, Russ Feingold, John Conyers, Al Gore, Barbara Boxer (except for CT primary, which just proves that no one rides for free, not even Boxer.  Ruthless scrutiny of Democrats, by Democrats.) 

Netroots Campaigning –  Earning More and Better Democrats
Resources:  Progressive Punch, Sunlight Foundation, WaPo Database.  Campaign bloggers tell the story of the campaign and coordinate with other Democratic activists online on behalf of their districts.  Act Blue.  Viral media.  Bird-dogging for macaca moments.  Pushing back.  Thanks to online activism, many races that no one thought were competitive added to our majority:  Webb, Tester, McNerney, Hall.  Don’t mention it, it was our pleasure.

Will the netroots get behind my guy?  Depends.  Some parameters:

Blue America (Crooks and Liars, Down With Tyranny and Firedoglake)

Howie Klein: “Blue America doesn’t ask much of our prospective endorsees. On GLBT issues, for example, we don’t ask them to promise to support a gay marriage bill; we just ask them if they will fight for gay equality, even if they have to exhibit some leadership in a tough environment.  If they can’t do that, we may still root for them to beat a much worse Republican, but we don’t raise money for them.  We expect the candidates we endorse and raise money for to support a woman’s right to choice, to support serious campaign finance reform, to favor serious proposals to end the occupation of Iraq, to support gay equality– and, like I said, to be willing to exercise leadership on difficult issues.  I mean, sure, we want candidates who are for the minimum wage and who oppose the dismantling of Social Security, but those should be the easy issues for Democrats”.

Blue Majority (Daily Kos, MyDD, and Swing State Project):

The litmus test
by kos

Wed Aug 03, 2005 at 06:33:01 AM PDT
My candidate litmus test, with edits, from James Powell’s excellent comment on Gilliard’s blog:

*Does candidate ‘distance himself’ from the party and/or its leaders, or is he proud to be a Democrat?
*Does he talk like a bureaucrat or like a regular person?
*Does she make it clear that she opposes Bush and the Republicans?
*Does she back down when the corporate press/media or Republican pundits attack him, or does she stand by her words?
*Does he sleepwalk through the campaign, or does he act like he wants to win?

Notice the complete lack of ideology. And if that bothers you, just remember who would control the committees if Democrats took charge. 

Miscellaneous:

Wikipedia. Google basics.  Note:  YouTube (owned by Google) and its growing influence (Google is competing with MySpace, which Rupert Murdoch just bought.)  Pathetic RW spin offs:  QubeTV and Conservapedia.  Check the blogrolls of writers you like.  Follow the links, or you’ll miss the whole point half the time. TalkingPointsMemo is rapidly becoming a daily requirement. 

Endnotes

The blogosphere serves to amplify the best of journalism and commentary, and to fill in the gaps.  It’s a networking godsend to activists.  There is a RW blogosphere, but it has nowhere near our creative energy and has been repeatedly spanked with the facts.  Wingnuttia, as it is called, is just another outlet of the Norquist/Rove media machine, it features foot soldiers repeating talking points, monolithic and unified; whereas the liberal netroots challenge orthodoxy and grow from below, collaborating or not, independently. 

Sideline: Guns, Germs and Steel analogy: 
Why didn’t China conquer the Americas?  Why was it Spain? China had one emperor to ask, Europe had multiple royals.  Columbus got lucky with the third monarch.  A Chinese adventurer had no such option.  Similar dynamic here:  This is the drawback to total control, it rewards mediocre talent and punishes innovation, and it’s isolating.  Again, this is the netroots’ primary complaint of the DLC, its chief weakness and largest similarity to Rove/GOP, this top-down myopia.  This is where “the Democratic wing of the Democratic party” is still alive and kicking.  Local Democrats are demanding more say. 

What was a Dem weakness is a strength here – our cranky, insubordinate, in-house talent pool.  The grassroots are successfully re-branding the Democratic Party partly because the internet levels the playing field.  Money and access aren’t neutralized by any stretch, but they’re less omnipotent.  It’s a start. 

Highly Recommended: Crashing the Gate by Markos Moulitzas Zuniga and Jerome Armstrong, and Anatomy of Deceit by Marcy Wheeler

Remember,

• Lurk first, and if you have to think twice about posting that comment, don’t.  Not everything has to be expressed in print for global consumption, and there is no taking it back.  Revise & extend, yes.  Erase, no.

• Real names aren’t necessary, but absolute transparency is.  Note your conflicts and associations frankly.

• Follow the rules, cite your sources, and know your facts.  Give us a link.  We love a link.

• Don’t feed the trolls.  If an emotionally stunted creature goes after you, ignore it.  Veterans will deal with it.

No law says you ever have to post a thing.  The majority doesn’t  (I think).  I didn’t for over a year at first.  But there’s excellent reading in here, and a nourishing fellowship of liberals.  Your candidate will benefit from your browsing alone.  Some of the writers in here are breathtakingly good.  It’s a tonic.

Appendix

Some Handy Hyperlinks (please note – you don’t have to read all this to keep up.  Just dKos and Calitics to start will cover quite a lot, as everyone reads everyone else and quotes their favorite bits):

These first three are unfailingly appropriate for genteel eyes and ears:

Hotline’s Blogometer  http://blogometer.na…

Dan Froomkin of the WaPo  http://www.washingto…

Scott Horton’s No Comment/Harper’s Magazine http://harpers.org/s…

Some profanity may occur (most likely in the comments) but it is usually merited:

Daily Kos  http://www.dailykos….

Firedoglake  http://www.firedogla…

Down With Tyranny  http://downwithtyran…

Crooks and Liars  http://www.crooksand…

Hullaballoo  http://www.digbysblo…

TalkingPointsMemo:  http://www.talkingpo…

Americablog:  http://americablog.b…

Atrios:  http://atrios.blogsp…

Calitics  http://www.calitics….

Hotline on Call  http://hotlineblog.n…

Local talent! Elle’s Blog http://www.desertdem…

Glenn Greenwald  http://www.salon.com…

Blog Reader Survey  http://www.blogads.c…

Daily Kos FAQ  http://www.dkosopedi…

Calitics Rules  http://www.calitics….

Crooks and Liars Commenting Policy http://www.crooksand…

ActBlue Formatting Guide  http://www.actblue.c…

Blue Majority  http://www.actblue.c…

Blue America 

Firedoglake Archive – Plame 

New York Times regarding the Firedoglake Libby Trial Liveblogging  http://www.nytimes.c…

Jane Hamsher on Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Matt Stoller of MyDD on what’s wrong with Dem consultants 

Gilliard after the 2004 elections 

YouTube – Have You Had Enough of Mary Bono?  

YouTube Jim Mora, proxy of choice for liberal bloggers after the Iraq funding vote

Now go forth and find your own favorite links!

Updated at 12:20pm Wed. June 13 to add links and some features (Cheers & Jeers, ponies, Lexicon, copyright issues)

Updated for clarity and tidiness on July 6, again on July 14, 2007

H/T to The Liberal OC for catching this first! : )

After witnessing the damage inflicted on [Former Senator George] Allen by Democrat campaign staff, Markos Zuniga is serious. Democratic Party activists are to be armed with high-tech video equipment looking to preserve any visible or audible mistakes committed by Republicans during public speaking appearances (not just from stages and podiums, but presumably private conversations on public grounds).

That was San Bernardino County Republican Party staffer Adam Aleman on FlashReport today, warning all the poor little Republicans about the monster that is being unleashed by BIG, BAD MARKOS and all his blogger minions. Just look at how George Allen’s political career was destroyed by one innocent little “macaca moment“. Remember that he was supposed to be running for President by now?

So what is it about progressive bloggers that’s scaring the living daylight out of seasoned Republican insiders? Why are they so afraid of us? Follow me after the flip to find out…

So why are they afraid? Well, the infamous “macaca” video didn’t just contribute to George Allen’s loss of a Senate seat. It dashed the hopes of many right-wingers that a charming Southern politician could help them keep the White House in 2008.

Here’s some more from FlashReport:

George Allen is not campaigning for the White House in Des Moines, Manchester or anywhere else as a result of his surprise re-election loss last November. A loss that happened in large part due to Allen being the first major candidate to be “Youtubed.” A paid staff member of his upstart Democratic opponent videotaped Allen making derogatory statements that many perceived as racially insensitive. Senator Allen’s shocking defeat became THE case study of how the term “youtube” suddenly became a verb in political parlance. See the video that doomed Allen here.

How significant of a role did the amateur video by a Democratic Party operative play in Allen’s defeat? Well, consider this fact. George Allen was considered so safe for re-election that his initial campaign manager left Allen’s campaign to work on a race that was considered tougher. Allen was ranked as so secure in his Senate seat that he was already starting to visit early GOP presidential primary states in anticipation of an expected 2008 bid for the GOP presidential nomination.

Well, Allen’s unfortunate incident certainly put a crimp in his presidential plans for 2008, and quite possibly forever. And it clearly was a factor in his 2006 re-election loss to a political neophyte named Jim Webb.

I guess that’s why they’re afraid. If progressive bloggers can not only put this man in the Senate and destroy this man’s Presidential aspirations, but also end twelve years of Republican dominance of Capitol Hill, then just think of all the pain and suffering that Republicans may soon endure. Just think of the horror! The horror!

This man might lose his seat in Congress. And so might this man. And wait, this man might also go down in flames next year! And so might this man! Heck, maybe this woman isn’t even safe any more! What happens if Republicans lose more Congressional seats in California instead of taking back the one that they lost last year?

And with sites like this one and this one and this one popping up all the time, Republicans can never feel safe here. Oh yes, and they always need to watch out for this one and this one. Poor things. Who knew that accountability could be so scary? ; )

(Oooh! Sounds like it was a lot of fun! : ) – promoted by atdleft)

Howie and Irwing came to talk to Democrats of the Desert yesterday, and it was fantastic.  Howie has an encyclopedic knowledge of our district, our neighboring districts, and the interests that the DCCC and PFAW have in challenging our GOP incumbents.  Our members are longtime veterans of local politics in most cases, and they were amazed at how much they didn’t know about the current landscape.  I’m still getting emails about how great it was, and as I hoped, more people want to get active in the blogosphere. 

Howie told how he got into blogs, gave us a bit of his own history of political activism, and took many questions on what we can do here in Riverside County: how to stop eating our young, how to overcome the blind paternalism that Mary Bono enjoys, what’s coming next for crooked Jerry Lewis, and many other great questions that I lost in my previous draft diary.  Damn.  More good stuff on the flip:

Here’s Howie helping Renee and Eleanor find a Sinatra single that Eleanor has been trying to recover for years.

Irwing vlogged the session (so sorry, blogswarm, I forgot to post a reminder – I am covered in shame).  Highlights:

Our members were all active in David Roth’s campaign last year, and they knew of Blue America’s support, but hadn’t fully understood its impact.  As Howie noted, he only started working with David in the last month of the campaign.  Had we engaged the netroots earlier, who knows? 

Amalia DeAztlan came and thanked Howie for his great work on behalf of David Roth.  They hadn’t met in person before, so that was lovely.  Richard Roth, David’s father, came, too.  Howie emphasized how crucial it is that David run again now that he has name recognition and a good campaign behind him.  David’s working overseas right now, but we’re all still hoping for a rematch. 

Our treasurer, Art, asked when Howie was going to run (he does have that facility with electoral details and an easy humor that many candidates lack) and Howie answered, “I did, and I won.  I was the freshman class president of my high school.”  But no dice, we failed to recruit Howie, despite the universal admiration of the audience.