Comments on: Netroots vs. The Base

By: Todd B.

Todd B. — Thu, 18 May 2006 13:05:26 +0000

The job of the DSCC/DNC is to have a Democratic senate. That s much more likely with Casey than Pennachio.

I don't buy that for one second - anyone can be an electable candidate if they are presented with the opportunity. Especially given that Pennachio beat or came darn near close to beating Santorum, according to polls.

By: Oliver Willis

Oliver Willis — Thu, 18 May 2006 05:05:28 +0000

The grassroots are most clearly defined as people who are more actively engaged in politics than their fellow citizens, they vote in primaries and caucuses, volunteer for campaigns, etc.

By: James E. Powell

James E. Powell — Thu, 18 May 2006 02:05:49 +0000

The question is, what people comprise the grassroots? I have never really liked the term because it lacks a useful definition. Does it mean activists? The regular volunteers? The donors who are neither lobbyists or connected with large organizations like unions or NARAL and the like?

However it is defined, if we are going to be as accurate as possible, “the grassroots” has to include what might be more accurately called the lower level party regulars. These are people who have made politics a regular part of their lives. They vary in political ideology from region to region and vary even within metropolitan areas. In my beloved home town of Cleveland, Ohio, for example, the people who would fit most definitions of grassroots vary considerably from one side of town to the other.

Similarly, the netroots vary widely and wildly. What looked like a nets consensus in 2004 was more apparent than real. The blogs, as outsiders, were rejecting the Rollover Dems in favor of the more vigorous and vocal opposition of Dean and Clark. Were the blogs wrong? We will never know, will we?

By: Oliver Willis

Oliver Willis — Thu, 18 May 2006 00:05:32 +0000

The job of the DSCC/DNC is to have a Democratic senate. That’s much more likely with Casey than Pennachio.

By: Todd B.

Todd B. — Wed, 17 May 2006 22:05:36 +0000

I don’t live in Pennsylvania, but I told many people who did about Mr. Pennachio. I thought that he was a great candidate and it’s a shame that the DSCC/DNC didn’t support him more. Instead we’re stuck with Santorum-lite who is in favour of practically the same things (intervention in Terri Schiavo, Alito, Iraq, etc).

By: Rheinhard

Rheinhard — Wed, 17 May 2006 21:05:42 +0000

huh… something burped and caused my post to be sent before I finished… I was about to say:

And Patrick Murphy, an Iraq vet “Fighting Dem”, did quite well against his primary challenger, and his is a strongly netroots-supported candidacy.

By: Rheinhard

Rheinhard — Wed, 17 May 2006 21:05:10 +0000

Pennachio was always a long shot. Admittedly unfortunate, I've met him on a few occasions at Drinking Liberally and he struck me as knowledgeable and committed. But a number of netroots candidates seem to be doing well. Francine Busby is leading her Repub opponent by 7 points in district with a R to D registration advantage of 50% to 32%. And Patrick Murphy, an Ira