From versus the netroots

[Via Daily Kos] From versus the netroots — It really made my day seeing über-political whore Al From arguing the DLC is protecting the little people from the millions of "elitist" bloggers and MoveOn members.

Here's the deal: I challenge Mr. DC-insider From to make public his expense account. I'll do the same. We'll tally all the times he has stayed at Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton hotels. We'll compare that to my stays at HoJos, Motel 6s, and — when splurging — Holiday Inns. Then we'll compare his dining choices — five star restaurants I'm sure versus corner taquerias. Finally, we can compare the cost of his average suit and shoes to mine.

Or, we can simply rule, by summary judgment, that the asshole who demands that the party purge millions of its most avid supporters is the "elitist" one.

Message to the DLC — your organization is headed into a fight it cannot win unless you get rid of those fools in its leadership.

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Regarding blogs

I have found blogs such as those listed in Peter Sullivan's response (i.e., dailykos and democratic underground)to be a source of information not found on the MSM. News is posted quickly, real issues are highlighted in a way not seen on CNN, Fox, etc., and there is a range of opinion expressed. An example in point is the recent James Gannon/Jeff Guckert story, which started on the blogs (kos, atrios etc.) and has now gained traction in the MSM. A current and riveting story is on the shooting of the Italian jounalist Juliana Sgrena by US military 700m from the Baghdad airport as she was being accompanied by Italian secret service, having just been freed from a month's kidnapping. Posters at kos are translating from Italian and European newssources the actual first person reporting of Sgrena herself on the event, not what has been filtered and modified for our consumption.

When we can no longer rely on our US news media to bring us real reportage, we need to look elsewhere, and blogs and internet media are good sources. To denigrate them as Mr. From has done is being a horse with blinders. What we need is more information from more sources, not tunnel vision and ignore what is to the left and right of us.

In (partial) defense of Al From

First of all, I don't think we need to be tossing around epithets like "whore". That sort of thing is counterproductive and frankly, looks silly and childish.

Second, I've seen Al From's suits; the poster has nothing to worry about.

More importantly, I think From has a valid point. Unfortunately, Al tends to frame things in a manner that is designed to provoke a reaction from folks. This sometimes obscures the larger point, and allows sidebar issues to dominate the discussion.

My take on From's comments is that the Democratic Party needs to tread carefully where net-based activism is concerned. The net can create an echo chamber, where one's views are reinforced by the like-minded, and a certain disconnect from the outside world sets in. This is as true of the right as it is of the left. The denizens of Free Republic are not representative of the GOP rank and file, and the posters at Kos and DU are well to the left of the average Democrat. When the agenda is set by the Freepers or Kossacks, the typical person, the one who does not devote time to political web sites, is left in the dust.

Now, I am at a loss as to why Al seems to think that net activism is in and of itself inherently the problem. It isn't. A more productive approach would be to build a vibrant center-left presence on the net (something that Simon Rosenberg emphasized in his race for DNC chair). heck, From's own DLC has three smart, interesting blogs up and running:

http://www,eduwonk.com
http://www.newdonkey.com
http://www.bullmooseblog.com

In addition, blogs such as Talking Points Memo, Kausfiles, and Greg's Opinion are attuned to a less shrill, pragmatic brand of progressive politics. Raher than fussing about a handful of loudmouths, I hope Al will decide to utilize the net as a forum for the numerous intelligent and creative policy proposals the DLC has developed.