The Political Road Goes Through Cyberspace

Good news for Colorado Pols

Cheers!

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by: Lauren Bacall @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 00:01:10 AM UTC

Uh, no. This must be a falsehood.

I was just told yesterday by ColPols that they rarely ever post threads that deal with National news.
I was told point blank that this site is for Colorado news only.
Hence the name, ColoradoPols

Or have we conveniently forgotten about that?


NoBama .... NoBamaCare either

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by: Gecko @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 00:13:45 AM UTC

Well

I am usually behind on my colorado issues. Mainly because I never read Colorado Dailies or watch the local news. I get my info from here. So, I would describe it as a trickle down effect.

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by: Mr. Toodles @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 00:17:46 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dopey

This is about cyberspace. Something that enters into, I'm guessing here, 80% of Colorado homes. This is not about national news. Can someone find a course on subtlety for Gecko?

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble and reclaim the commons. Stop the militarization of America.

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by: Sir Robin @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 00:52:58 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

DNC2008

Also, duh, the DNC is comin' here (no thanks to the unions), so the national news scene/presidential race is directly relevant!

Here's to hoping that both GOP and Dem nominees are decided at the national conventions!  Now that really would put Denver on the map!

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by: MiddleRoadDem @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 15:41:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wow

I think it's going to be awesome to see how campaigning changes.  With the web and TVO and stuff like that, campaign season will never be the same again.  And yet you know there will be politicians stuck in the past.  Let the games begin!

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by: Haners @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 01:47:47 AM UTC

Democracy...giving voice to the most

Let the games begin, indeed!

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble and reclaim the commons. Stop the militarization of America.

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by: Sir Robin @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 02:00:55 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

5% to 10% read editorials, political blogs

Only a few of us care about politics enough to read blogs and message boards, the latter being more fun than blogs.

Real people are into other things, activities that have little or nothing to do with the political issues we discuss here or nationally.

Perhaps what blogs and message boards do is bring the activists and fanatics together where we can reinforce our obsessions and find comfort with people who enjoy gossip and discussing the news of the day.

On message boards, 5% to 10% of the visitors to the boards post frequently, while lurkers come and go but have nothing they want to say or can say.

So the idea that blogs and message boards will replace newspapers and broadcasters makes no sense. Blogs and message boards add to the mix, and allow interactivity and feedback, but no one should think they will really change politics.

I don't know about others on this board, but I seldom visit the national blogs. Just don't have time. I prefer newspapers' web sites, where I can read the latest political stories. Sometimes I'll visit the web sites of The New Republic, Weekly Standard and National Review Online. I"ve never read DaillyKos and I don't want anything to do with Colorado Confidential or Colorado Media Matters, because I don't trust them.

Here, the content is mostly reader driven even though ColoradoPols starts the main conversations. And the number of people who post is small enough that we can have our little discussions and fun with users that we kinda know.

Going to a politician's blog makes as much sense to me as going to the Budweiser site to talk about beer. Boring.

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by: Another skeptic @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 02:30:27 AM UTC

I agree Skeptic

The die hards will continue to visit the blogs, but I've given up on the few I've visited.  The majority are low brow, ill informed and shilling for their party/candidate/opinion.

The interesting part of this, however, will be the increase in focused political emails, online fundraising and generally, more access for voters to get information.  This also means it may be harder to decipher between true information and disinformation (note the number of shills during the election time).

One thing that kind of freaks me out is the decrease in privacy.  Already fundraising lists are bought and sold, but online databases could contain more information due to the more open nature of the web and could be hacked, pirated or sold.  I only know enough to make me paranoid based on some articles from the last election cycle.

Keep the tinfoil hats close!

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by: Car 31 @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 02:38:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

>>

I don't think blogs will replace other campaigning, but the point is campaigning has changed.  People can fast forward through commercials, have more mail delivered electronically, etc.  Campaigns aren't going to be blog wars, but I can imagine commercials being aired differently so there's still an impact on the people fast-forwarding through commercials, or text messages sent to cell phones telling you to vote for so-and-so.  The point is that each season is going to make campaigning more and more electronic based.  And which ever party best utilizes it will have a clear advantage.  I think Dems probably have more time to blog and such, but I think Reps have the edge in using the web for organization.

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by: Haners @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 03:02:46 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

But when they do pay attention, many go to the web

I wrote a post on the Boulder Ballot and didn't think much of it until a friend asked me for the link and later said they liked my suggestions on a number of issues.

I went and checked the stats and that one post was getting over 400 hits a day - 2 weeks before the election. Who knows what it was like election day.

The Denver Post reported people taking laptops with a wireless connection into the voting booth.

I think a lot of people who pay little attention are using the web as a way of getting the amount of information they want on their own schedule. And that would hold for announcements right now too.

- dave

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

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by: DavidThi808 @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 03:18:54 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think you're absolutely right David

The stronger the voice of the people, the stronger the government, and the stronger the homeland.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble and reclaim the commons. Stop the militarization of America.

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by: Sir Robin @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 03:27:55 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Save me from the masses

The masses aren't infallable and they're often wrong.  They are often ill informed by shallow media coverage at best, they're too busy making ends meet to keep up with their neighbors who just bought a new SUV, and they're either too partisan to care or too lazy to investigate the issues of the day.

You speak about Democracy (with a capitol D). Our forefathers put in place plenty a'checks and balances to prevent the strong voice of the people from taking over the government.

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by: Car 31 @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 05:51:14 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes. Look at Nov 2004

The people spoke and look at what we got.  Now, two years later and most of those same people have come out of hibernation.

Yes, I'm an elitist.  I don't trust the average voter to be well informed and not be swayed by media.  Most American born voters can't even pass the test given to people applying for citizenship. 

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 06:11:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Average voter might not buy the economic hitman

You evidently uncritically championed perkins story....average voter in my neck of the woods is not that gullible....I have a lot of faith in common sense....

 For politics, geezers are golden.
by: BlueCat @ Tue Aug 16, 2011 at 19:19:14 PM MDT

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by: dwyer @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 14:34:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have faith in common sense as well

but don't think the average voter has much.

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by: Car 31 @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 15:18:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Average voter in your neck of the woods

has read Perkins?  Wow.  Pretty enlightened crowd.  And I don't know what the criticisms to Perkins would be, I've not heard of or run across any.  Economic Hitman was autobiographical. 

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 15:38:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Totally agree Car 31

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by: Lauren Bacall @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 15:18:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Here's a cyberspace thought

The Bush warmongers, you know, the guys Eisenhower warned us against, are determined....in the face of overwhelming opposition, to feed the military-industrial complex a "Whopper". That name might be copyrighted. My apologies. The "Whopper" will result in a generation of war, waste, despair, heartache and broad damage. Have no doubt.

I'll reiterate my point on an earlier post that Democracy (with a capital D) is at risk because of Empire. The crazies, who have not a wit of understanding regarding economics, resources, environemnt, community, peace and international relations, to name a few,...can have their say here on COPols.....whatever.

The planet is small and shrinking. We get along by sharing resources, and managing resouces....just like in our homes.
Make no mistake....we're heading into turbulent waters. What sort of Captain can best get us through? Experience, nuance, tact, skillfull means, grounded in knowledge and science....are but a few of the characteristics we should be looking for.

Leadership, unfortunately, is a prerequisite. Why unfortunately? Because the people have not found a way to take the lead.

Exercise your right to peaceably assemble and reclaim the commons. Stop the militarization of America.

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by: Sir Robin @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 03:04:53 AM UTC

Paging Howard Dean: Please come and claim your foresight

Hard to believe it's only three years ago Howard Dean was ridiculed for using the internet to develop, and fund, his campaign.  How prescient. 

Then, as new chair of the Democratic Party, he developed his "50 state strategy."  Again, the old liners thought him and idiot.  Until the last election.

Imagine what he could have done as president. Yes, I was a Deaniac and worked hard until his campaign collapsed. Proud of supporting a smart man with foresight and integrity.

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 03:17:06 AM UTC

Of couse he was so very wrong on the war in Iraq

He said it was wrong to invade and that we should get out ASAP. Thank god Bush won and was able to bring us to victory in Iraq.

bwa ha ha ha ha ha

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

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by: DavidThi808 @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 03:20:17 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why did Dean crash?

No, it wasn't "the scream", which CNN admitted later that it was no story at all.

It was in December 2003 when he was being interviewed by a major TV network.  Dean opined that media was too concentrated and that he would like to see it broken up.  Not long after, the phrase "unelectable" was making the rounds.  No reason, just that word.

I orgnanized a bus load of Deaniacs to go to Santa Fe and New Mexico for the primaries.  As I knocked on doors in Albuquerque, I often heard people state that they liked Dean but that he was "unelectable."  No one could tell me why!

I presume that he was poisoned before he got to Iowa.

This is your "liberal" MSM at work, Gecko.  This is why MM came into existence.

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 04:32:28 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

The Dean Scream did it, and it was on TV, TV, TVVVVVVVV

All the blogging in the world couldn't turn an idiot into a president.

Dean's 50-state campaign didn't win 2006, the Repulsive Republican Radicals gave the election away.

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by: Another skeptic @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 05:32:36 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Call Dean an idiot

announces your own lack of intelligence or willingness to see it in others.  Medical doctor, governor of Vermont, presidential contender, innovative, chair of the DNC.  Oh yeah, he's a dumb ass, alright.

He was yelling and exuberant.  Such a crime!  I guess you prefer the Allard approach to passion.

While the Republicans did a lot to damage themselves recently, Dean's plan flipped a lot of races, not just federal.  Democratic offices in many cities and states pretty much given up because the areas was so red got funding and full time staff workers. 

On the other hand, please believe what you are believing.  There, there, let me tuck you in....go to sleep....we'll take care of the boogey man for you....


"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 06:17:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dean's rhetoric since he's been the DNC head has been pretty negative

But I liked him as a candidate.  I liked his background, I liked what he did in Vermont, and I thought he was "off the beaten path" of most candidates.

Oh, and the "Dean scream" was media concocted and driven, and R's like Hannity picked it up and ran with it, repeating over and over like they had Tourette's.  It was a sham and a shame.

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by: Lauren Bacall @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 20:31:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

What do you mean by negative?

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by: Mr. Toodles @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 20:35:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, negative to me, probably not to you

He says he hates Republicans, calls them hypocrites, says Republicans have never made an honest living, that kind of stuff.

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by: Lauren Bacall @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 21:27:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Really?

I dont follow the goings on the DNC all that often so I really have no idea, but I cant remember him saying that. I am not saying your wrong, I just dont know. But to be fair that is his job.

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by: Mr. Toodles @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 21:33:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Google "Howard Dean quotes"

There are numerous sites that have his quotes. Whenever he says something particularly offensive, the news outlets pick it up pretty fast.  He seems to be more laid back now, but the first year he took over, ouch!

I'm sure it is his job, I just think the climate of political discourse is ridiculous these days.  Argue ideas and policies, leave the name calling on the playground.  It needs to start with the leaders and the people who are out front in the political landscape. (R's and D's)

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by: Lauren Bacall @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 21:43:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

The scream played a role but,

Lets not forget he finished 3rd in Iowa.  I was in Des Moines w/ The Edwards Camp and all those god-awful Deaniacs w/ their stupid orange beanies drove most people crazy.  There was nothing worse than them canvasing going up to people "Hi!  I'm "so and so" from some random city!  Are you planning on caucusing for Dean?!?!"  I'll be the first to admit I told all the interns in the DSM office to lie if someone asked where they were from.  Iowans dont want to be told who to vote for by people from Vermont, or New Hampshire, or South Carolina, or Wisconsin...Byahhhhh!!!!

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by: Dabee47 @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 06:10:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

$40 Million

He not only finished third in Iowa, he spent a whopping $40 million to finish third in Iowa.  He touted a 50-state strategy, but he dramatically outspent his opponents on television advertising in Des Moines.  And then he finished third. 

Yes, the scream was, to a certain extent, a creation of the alternative media - something that went unheard in the room but which sounded bizarre on the mult box microphone. 

But let's be serious: It was over long before the scream. 

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by: Jack Shaftoe @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 14:10:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My experience, too...

..and I wasn't even there.  Just doing the phone bank thing from Colorado.  Most people just hung up when they realized that it was yet another campaign call, didn't matter who it was for.

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 15:40:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

in the current culture of corporate Main Stream or "fly by" media...

It will be up to the bloggers and the candidates who stand behind them to stand for the lead in political debate. Candidates are now realizing that the people finally are gaining back their political voice and power over the corporate culture. Perhaps that is what has been missing from our government in the past decades. The ability for the individual to stand up and demand more from the political process than what has been sold to us...
We have the power to lead on the issues and force our candidates to accept the will of the people.

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by: wade norris @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 07:52:07 AM UTC

As Ghandi allegedly said,

"Excuse me, I must catch up with my people, for I am their leader."

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

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by: parsingreality @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 15:41:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

While this is certainly true

I can see this getting out of hand.  Personal contact is still far and away the best means of getting votes.  The web should be used to the fullest extent but it has it's problems as well.  Take the Edwards blogger debaucle last week.

You cannot rely solely on the internet you still have to get out there, shake hands, give hugs, and talk to voters.

"Thousands are sailing, across the western ocean, to a land of opportunity, that some of them will never see . . ."

- The Pogues

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by: Druid @ Wed Feb 14, 2007 at 16:39:36 PM UTC