BooMan was on a call with President Obama yesterday with other A-List Bloggers. Obviously, I'm not an A-List blogger, but it is good to know that our President knows we are trying to spread the message of health care insurance reform. I like this tactic very much as JRE would have done the same thing.
On Facebook, the Daily Kos, the Huffington Post, the AP, and yes, Oliver Willis "Krytonite to stupid"' blogs, I have never seen so many people who have decided to join the gang of John Edwards bashers because of his egregious error in having an affair with another woman.
The graphic I borrowed from that trashy blog post at Kos is precisely my disposition.
The situation feels as though a whale injured himself and the sharks are around to shred him.
Most of those sharks believe they are on the moral high ground. I tend to think about Tom T. Hall's Harper Valley PTA, sung beautifully by Jeannie C. Riley in the late 60's:
Lyrics applicable here:
The note said, "Mrs. Johnson, you're wearing your dresses way too high It's reported you've been drinking and a-runnin' 'round with men and going wild And we don't believe you ought to be bringing up your little girl this way" It was signed by the secretary, Harper Valley P.T.A.
Well, it happened that the P.T.A. was gonna meet that very afternoon They were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her mini-skirt into the room And as she walked up to the blackboard, I still recall the words she had to say She said, "I'd like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley P.T.A."
Well, there's Bobby Taylor sittin' there and seven times he's asked me for a date Mrs. Taylor sure seems to use a lot of ice whenever he's away And Mr. Baker, can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town? And shouldn't widow Jones be told to keep her window shades all pulled completely down?
Well, Mr. Harper couldn't be here 'cause he stayed too long at Kelly's Bar again And if you smell Shirley Thompson's breath, you'll find she's had a little nip of gin Then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as a mother I'm not fit Well, this is just a little Peyton Place and you're all Harper Valley hypocrites.
Now, I am not excusing John for his behavior. I would agree he shouldn't have risked his marriage, his family, and aspirations to be the greatest president of this decade over a gold digger who apparently refuses to get a job, and as Elizabeth is describing "a parasite" whose "life is pathetic". I tend to agree. I'm sorry Elizabeth felt the need to express her anger in her book (for her, it probably is therapeutic for an infidelity victim), but I won't join in with the other sharks in saying she was wrong or complicit with her husband in joining him on the campaign trail to help fulfill his political ambitions.
John and Elizabeth's causes were still mine: to lift up the poor, to strengthen the middle class, to obtain universal health care so that businesses wouldn't have to choose providing health care only for themselves, but be a part of a pool with options for cheaper gov't plans as competition.
John also pushed Obama and Hilary to the point where they had to start stating their positions instead of relying on personalities.
I've been catching up in reading some of the blogs on my BR, and I found out that Matt Stoller from Open Left is working in the House as a staffer.
Another blogger I knew from the Edwards campaign is now working for Jeff Merkley in DC. Awesome. I should be receiving some press releases from Merkley's office. Why is Merkley important to me? He was one of JRE's early supporters, and next to Barbara Boxer and Bernie Sanders, the most progressive Senator in the Senate today. He's big on expanding health care for all.
Both of the bloggers are young, lots of energy, and probably in charge of online communications of sorts. There's a need for them in 21st century government. They are our links to them, in order to narrow the Rootsgap that Matt Stoller spoke of a week ago.
First, I want to say again, Feliz Ano Nuevo, Bonne Année, and Happy New Year in various other languages. I thank you for spending some time over here when there are many good blogs to visit.
Speaking of, I added several more to my blogroll today. I'm finding that I have many favorites to visit and find things worthy of reposting or commenting on here.
The ones I added (or re-loaded) and my reasons:
Eschaton--it has the best snarks and I'm impressed how many followers Atrios has considering his economy of words. But he's very progressive in his thinking, plus he's an economist. To complement Eschaton, I've also added Paul Krugman's Conscience of a Liberal blog.
The Daily Kos---I wrote it off for awhile because of the bloggers there savaged every candidate but Obama in the primaries. I tend to visit there to comment on the diaries pertaining to the Republican (or in some instances, Democratic ones) morons, to post pics of my critters, or to offer have a cheer or jeer on Bill in Portland Maine's daily C & J column. I made peace with Markos, although I must say I disagree with him quite a bit.
Huffington Post and Daily Beast--both supply breaking news and some good commentaries. HuffPo also overglorified Obama until recently, but I find I visit there pretty often. Daily Beast is shaping up to have some moderates as columnists, but I will be following more of the conservatives just to see what they think.
Yglesias---Matt Y moved over to Think Progress from the Atlantic this year and it appears to be a good fit for him. I find his views to also be very progressive. He tends to run with the Ezra Klein crowd.
Oliver Willis and Taylor Marsh. Those two were at odds with one another over Hillary Clinton during the primaries, so I didn't have them linked to give them some ad change. But with kumbayah, I think both deserve to get back on the blogroll. Taylor is moving to the DC area, and I think she will have much to offer in foreign policy analysis if she gets access to the State Department and Mrs. Clinton's policy wonks. Oliver will continue to bash my Cowboys, just I will continue to trash his Redskins.
Juan Cole's Informed Comment--probably the best in covering the Middle East. He tends to side with the Arabs, but he is extremely good in pulling out facts from the Middle East newspapers early in the morning that even the NYT does not in its reporting whenever a crisis arises.
Prairie State Blue and Capitol Fax blog--good for Illinois politics, especially with all of the pending indictments against Count Blago.
Pam's House Blend--Pam Spaulding's opinions about LGBT politics and marriage equality. In addition, it was she who helped me understand the medical procedures in putting an animal to sleep as she had to put one of her dogs down not long ago.
Discover UU --blog about UU issues posted by different pastors, and about those who wish to have leadership positions within the UUA organization. It complements the link to the Tennessee Valley UU Church's podcasts.
I've Been Mugged--written by fellow blogger and Friend George Jenkins about identity theft and corporate responsibility
I will update this list later as I add more to the blogroll.
I hope to be more consistent in posting something a few times a week, even if the post is brief.
Change you won't see:
This site is still inspired by the democratic vision of John and Elizabeth Edwards. I don't care if John had an affair with Rielle Hunter (other than it hurts his family). I am not of the opinion that he could have "handed the nomination to McCain" when it was blatantly clear that he did not have enough resources to compete for Super Tuesday on Feb 5th, so that argument doesn't hold water, nor do I think he is the biggest loser for the scandal that Ms. Hunter likes to perpetuate through the National Enquirer. I find it more appalling though that media has replaced the narrative of his progressive agenda with a repeating loop about an affair with a spurned woman who is mainly an extortionist opportunist who refuses to go get a real job to support her child.
I will continue to be a scout in locating any speaking engagements and blog posts about their appearances and speeches. The Edwardses have much to still offer in terms of public service, especially speaking out about areas such as health care and poverty, and they were great in bringing progressive minded folks like me together with others. I would be remiss in saying though I think John's days for running for elective office have passed.
Well 2009 has come, ready or not. Should be an interesting year.
Update: Enjoy this video from I can has cheezburger:
I was reading a post at Pam's Blend today that spoke of burning the candle at both ends. It occurred to me that I may be suffering from a bit of blogger's blues or blogger burnout. I haven't had much to say about Congress and certainly, not much to be done as we continue to watch the bears on Wall Street.
To the bloggers who continue to be inspired to write about politics or just about anything else, I salute you. BW readers, I encourage you to go to some of the smaller blogs on my blogroll. Most of the bloggers are good writers.
David Cook's awaited self-entitled CD is released tomorrow. Check out the David Cook blog for upcoming appearances. I've heard quite a few clips from the CD. It's a good CD, but I get the impression Cook was put on a short leash on this one in order to get a product that will sell. I'm hoping his next work will rip a little more.
I'm off for an out of town trip for the rest of the week. I'll be back this weekend.
I have to hand it to Gina Cooper and Markos for keeping Al Gore's visit a mystery until a few minutes before it broke in the media via Twitter. Here's the video of the surprise and the standing O Gore got., courtesy of Goodboydc:
Aparently when he went in, when raising Nancy Pelosi's hand in unity, he said he was very much at home with the group already. I was totally unaware of any of the news since I was with company.
Last night, I awoke around 1:30, flipped on C-SPAN, and there was Al Gore, speaking to the Netroots Nation bloggers. I was impressed. Here is another YT of his remarks to the group, courtesy of fellow Edwards supporter Mooncat.
Part 1
Part 2
Nancy Pelosi is another story. She was well spoken at the Conference, but I still find her demeanor disingenuous. Authenicity matters, and I think that's why I'm still an Edwards supporter, but an Al Gore one too. If only...well, maybe Edwards will find Gore to be a good model for his poverty work.
Elizabeth has called blogs "the new town squares" and bloggers the "modern day pamphleteers." With that thought in mind, we hope that you will continue to blog, chat, debate and discuss the issues that are important to you, and to our country, even if it is in a different square.
To read a reaction to this from a strong supporter, Karita:
I want to thank all of you have made this such a welcome and supportive place. I am so sad that our blog here is ending, but I know that we will keep the inspiration with us for a long time, and will put the mission and vision of John Edwards as standards for all politicians in the future and for our own action agendas.
I, myself, will work myself toward the ends of economic justice, campaign finance reform, media reform, election reform, Democratic Party Reform, and citizen education. I will work to make sure that John Edwards' message and messages like his will be heard in this land.
I will be happy to join Edwards oriented blogs, and I have already. But, I will sorely miss this one, my direct link to the JRE campaign and John Edwards, himself.
Karita Hummer Edwards Democrat Co-Captain SCV4Edwards One Corps Chapter
My comment on the announcement on the Blog Home Page is just below:
Like losing a home! (none / 0)
I am so saddened to lose this home. It was the direct link to the Campaign and most importantly to John Edwards.
I visited it so many times a day, just to check in, to share, to support, to sing John Edwards praises and to become informed of all he stood for.
I will miss this home terribly.
God bless you, John and Elizabeth. We love you and will always be inspired by your mission and vision.
Karita and Paul Hummer San Jose, CA
And to add a song from the UU songbook that was played at my wedding 7 years ago: For the Earth, Forever Turning.
This morning I woke up about 5:30 and read the paper. I discovered the precinct polls would be open at 6:00. Wearing a turtle neck, a pair of navy blue paints, and my poverty band that is identical to the one I gave JRE in June 2006 (and he wore for weeks), I cast my ballot at approximately 6:10. I voted for John Edwards and all of his delegates.
As the man handed me a "I voted" sticker, I took the time to write on it, "for JRE".
There were mainly Repugs who voted in my precinct. With the weather being mild, I think there will be a good turnout.
I went home, retrieved my yard sign, and took it back to the polling place and stuck it prominently where everyone could see it. I figured, what the hell, it would be better served there. The polling place is on one of the major thoroughfares in town, so everyone can see it.
I was surprised there were no Obama or Hillary signs. The other sign was for Ron Paul.
Despite many on the Daily Kos and actually one person on Taylor Marsh's site who tried to persuade me that my vote would be wasted and to vote for either Hillary or Obama, I do not believe it was. I voted for the voiceless. I voted a person who cared the most about the 46 million who do not have health care. I voted for the person who wanted to end poverty for the 37 million who may have gone to bed hungry along with their children, or the 200,00 veterans who were homeless.
I voted for a man who stood for principles. I voted for a man who had the decency to suspend his campaign and let all of us make our own decisions. And I voted for the most progressive ideas.
I voted proudly --albeit bittersweet--for John Edwards.
Update: links about similar thoughts by JRE supporters who are voting for him today or in upcoming primaries:
Seldom do I take the initiative to be humorous at Daily Kos at one of Bill In Portland, ME's occasional weekend diaries.
Yeppers, I got Kos' attention, and Bill In Portland, Maine, who happens to be an acquaintance of mine thru Yearly Kos, had a better line, which I listed as my post line.
"Yes, we switched souls for that picture. I wouldn't recommend it, though. During the transfer back I briefly inhabited the body of Mike Gravel."
Love that guy. His partner, CSM, is one of my "coaster" boyfriends, but of course, it just means when we communicate, we believe we are in kindred spirits.
Josh Marshall from TPM TV does a great trip down memory lane with Trent Lott, and it was the first time that a blogger caught a misstep on a major politican that led to the beginning of his demise.
The event I remember clearly as I saw it on C-SPAN that evening. My DH and I shook our heads in disbelief. But the MSM didn't say a word about it. It took a blogger like Marshall to point it out and get the attention of the MSM.
In case you hadn't heard, Lott is resigning his position to work on the more lucrative K street before the new law that increases the embargo time between when someone elected to Congress can turn around and become a lobbyist.
Three weeks ago, I started a series called Friday Blog Spotlight. While the intention was to do this every couple of weeks, I did say I would try to do it twice a month. The time has come to shine the spotlight on another blog from BW's blogroll.
Anonymoses and I became acquainted nearly a couple of years ago, not too long after I discovered Chancelucky. Known as Mr. Wonderous to many of us, he was one of the founders of the blog, Idea Consultants. I am honored to be asked to be a contributor to that blog and still contribute as I wish, albeit it has been a long while since I have made a decent post there.
Mr. Wonderous and I have a few things sort of in common. First, he is a graduate of Harvard. I worked at Harvard for 8 years. Thus, we were residents of the Bay State for a time, and both enjoyed discussing the North Shore when we have chatted on JRE's site.
Another thing we have in common is that Dave lives in the South and I am originally from a state that is a cross between the South and West, and I can understand southern mores very well.
We also both appreciate Harry Taylor, who stood up to Bush in 2005 and became an beacon of hope for many of us. BW readers may recall Harry Taylor spoke out how our government is becoming less trustworthy and that we were more than mislead about Iraq. Now he is running for Congress in the 9th District.
Mr. Wonderous has a twisted sense of humor like me, except that he can write and type faster than I can when and while he uses that wit. I can speak it faster or chat with it, but he can write it better on his site using music, poetry, news articles, and art. I don't have the capacity to do that kind of blogging, so I don't give away my wit on my own blog; tend to do it more in debates on the DU or the Daily Kos.
Mr. Wonderous also keeps company with bloggers I admire very much: Iddybud, Bora, Ed Cone, The Blogsboro Network's Billy the Blogging Poet and in general, the Tarheel Taverners. But this is where the big difference is between me, Mr. Wonderous, and those Tarheel Taverners: they are all artists and very gifted in their own right. I am gratified to have my site be linked to some of their blogs and they mention me occasionally when I've commented on theirs with something new. Unlike many of them, I don't require anyone to click my site for revenue, whereas many of them could use and deserve the revenue for their talents.
What I like about Anonymoses Hyperlincoln III blog has very much to do what I like about him personally: the site is entrepreneurial, but highly artistic. Look at his profile picture. To me, it reminds me of a sketch that Alfred Hitchcock used to have on his weekly show. Classic. The man can do a photoshop like a pro, and at times, his abstracts, similar to Andy Warhol's work, are eye-candy for the modern art lover like me.
He often posts commentary from the bigger picture perspective, which is what I also admire in someone.
But lastly, I like his taste in music too. We (and that includes Iddybud as the two are very close friends) seem to enjoy the same artists, some of them lesser known folkies.
And yes, he is a John Edwards supporter. I hope to meet him in person at Edwards 2009 Bloggers' Ball and dance with him.
Check out Anonymoses' blog. He's a treat to read. The eclectic kind of fun.
Today I was out with my spouse riding our tandem bike. It was very warm, but the skies were crystal clear, so we decided to go out on the Lincoln Grass Prairie Trail. Round-trip, it is about 25 miles. It seemed more though because most of it was made of crushed limestone, thus it was arduous at times to get through it.
Before our foray, I had set the DVR to record the McLaughlin Group, as I read that the Yearly Kos was one of the features of their special show on the rise of political reporting via blogging. Six and half hours later, I got an e-mail saying that my blog was on the show. Did you see me? Sure enough, I sat down to review the recording, and OMG, there I was, typing on this blog, about the Yearly Kos. Now unfortunately, I haven't a frickin' clue how to transfer the recording digitally and upload it on Youtube. Yeah, I should have taken a class on this at YK, :-). But I can assure you, it was a snapshot of me of showing the NBC Crew (who took the footage) of this post:
Next shot is of the Drudge Report (yuck), but at least there isn't any overlay of writing on the shot of Benny's World, as there was of Drudge's. Of course, he does his for a living; I do not. He will rack up the cash and laugh all of the way to the bank on Tuesday. I get just sheer joy for a few seconds.
I had to go back in and clear away a few more things, so I didn't see the rest of the show for quite awhile. But both DH and I re-ran the recording to see it in its entirety. And within 2-3 minutes this shot was seen:
Except the content box is empty. I was about to type my post.
I read the video may be up in a few days. If it is, you'll see it first thing here as it's probably not an interesting enough clip to be on other blogs.
Cheers to McLaughlin Group for showing the growing democracy of the blogosphere. I'm proud in both instances a non-A List blogger's blog got shown on McLaughlin's show, and that both it as well as I were promoting my candidate for President, John Edwards or JRE. One can see the display of JRE logos in the background in the first clip.
But as Elizabeth Edwards would say, "Thanks...Now Get Back to Work!" You're right, Mrs. Edwards. Long campaign yet ahead.
Mona Brooks, one of the official photographers at Yearly Kos, has a set up with JRE and some of us before the break-out session, and from the break-out session too. Yep, I'm in a couple of them, and they aren't the best of me, but I do like the pics because of all of the good people I was with, including John Edwards.
I'm providing a link only as the copyright belongs to Ms. Brooks.
That amazing "American Woman" to your left and my right is Taylor Marsh. In my view, she is the best radio talk show host on the Internet and on regular frequencies--AM and FM.
This picture was taken after a Hot Topics panel she was on at the Yearly Kos Convention(soon to be renamed the Netroots Nation). Taylor spoke about National Security issues, especially concerns about a potential Dem president inheriting the baby, the Iraq war. She also spoke to an issue near and dear to her: media consolidation. Taylor likes being on the regular frequencies, but she is concerned about big conglomerates buying everything, then limiting our voices.
I hope she will get on XM radio. Meantime, one can listen to her show 2-3 CT Mon-Thur and I guarantee, you will get the most recent political news and commentary on her show. If you can't listen live, she has podcasts within a couple of hours up on her site.
Taylor is a true progressive, and I like that she is herself and never phony in what she says. Not that many radio talk show hosts are phony, but I like her show because she's not so bent to the far left. She has a clear understanding of security issues, and she doesn't believe government is the answer to everything either.
Give her a listen. Taylor, BW salutes you and your work.
BW readers, I will be blogging soon from the Yearly Kos Convention, which is being held at the McCormick Center. It will be nice to meet some of the bloggers I admire such as Taylor Marsh and Kos himself, but also regular blogger types who support John and Elizabeth Edwards.
Tonight the Flying Solo group will meet, then all starts in the morning.
Tomorrow night starts with a firebrand, DNC Chairman Howard Dean. On Saturday afternoon, 5 presidential candidates, including John Edwards, Madam Clinton, and Obama, will be at a forum. Dodd and Richardson will also be there.
I read with interest this post from the Press-Enterprise about a blogger named Citizen Kate. She apparently went to the California Dem Convention, even though she is from Chicago. She somehow obtained CJ credentials.
Now, I don't know how accurate this article is by Michelle DeArmond, but here are the lead paragraphs:
Dressed in a low-cut leopard-print dress and matching headband, amateur journalist "Citizen Kate" drew lingering looks and laughs when she lobbed her first question to Sen. John Edwards at the state Democratic convention in San Diego.
"Oh me?" the young blonde giggled, waving and smiling after Edwards, a candidate for president, called on her.
"I was wondering if you know what it takes ... to be a great leader in this country?" she asked.
Then it was reported that Citizen Kate said she was noticed because of her dress.
Citizen Kate says she's proud she caught Edwards' eye at the state convention -- and she's pretty sure the dress helped.
Doubtful. I know Edwards and it has nothing to do with the dress. But he appreciates the netroots very much and is their leading candidate.
From the Take Back America conference, courtesy of Google video and found first on Firedoglake.
Boy, does Digby say a lot in 13 minutes! She punches the center and the right. Yes, there is a "dig" at Mudcat Saunders about his comment that the bloggers are elitists like the Metropolitan Opera, but overall, I agree with her. If you don't have time to watch the entire acceptance speech (the Paul Wellstone award for Progressive bloggers), here's Isaiah Poole's quick interview of her.
For more coverage, go to Oliver Willis who will give you links where to turn to for the latest at the Take Back America conference. I have his site linked on my blogroll.
Thanks, Digby, even if you aren't a big JRE fan, but you do speak for a lot of us bloggers.
Quick update: You see Ned Lamont's pic right away. FDL reports Ned introduced her.
Thank you very much, Ned. That is overwhelming. I hope you’ll bear with me here. I’m not accustomed to public speaking. I write pseudonymously.
Those of you who know my blog know that it’s nearly impossible to draw me from my secure bunker in the People’s Republic of Santa Monica. But when I was approached by my friend Rick Pearlstein about accepting this award on behalf of the progressive blogosphere, I knew it was an honor that I could not refuse. Not for myself, although I’m grateful, but for my fellow bloggers.
We are proud to be part of the great progressive, liberal tradition of Paul Wellstone, and we are grateful for your kind acknowledgment. Thank you.
As there has been a lot said recently about the netroots and our influence on the Democratic Party, this is especially rewarding. Let’s just say we’ve ruffled some feathers. We’ve been called everything from “some guy named Vinnie in a bathrobe in an efficiency apartment” to “blogofascists.” Some critics dismiss us as useless elites, the “Metropolitan Opera crowd,” or a noisy Upper West Side cocktail party for the college graduate class. Still others take us to task for our vitriolic, unhinged tone.
The other day, Tim Russert agreed absolutely with his gracious host, the concerned centrist Sean Hannity, that the Democratic Party was being unduly influenced by bloggers, who were dragging the Party kicking and screaming to the Left. Then there is the criticism that we are fascists or Stalinists, demanding that everyone march in lockstep to the edicts of our leadership – generally assumed to be Markos, of Daily Kos, who apparently directs us with secret signals deeply embedded in the code of the Daily Kos website, while we carry on an elaborate ruse of spirited political debate and disagreement in public. We are, in short, something of an enigma. I like to call this phenomenon “Irrational Fear of Hippies.” And this has, in my view, become irrational fear of political passion.
Of all the criticisms I just mentioned, that is one that we are all willing to accept. We are passionate about politics, and in this era of Republican corruption, excess, and failure, that passion sometimes manifests itself as anger. But how can you not be angry? So many institutions have failed us in the last decade that being vitriolic seems the only sane response.
And as for the idea that we are modern Stalinists, does that make any sense at all? We can’t even agree about what to call ourselves. The netroots – the progressive blogosphere – consists of a very lively and disparate group of citizens who are political observers, activists, readers, writers, entrepreneurs, communicating and organizing via the Internet. We have opera-loving liberals from Georgia, NASCAR-loving progressives from Chicago, and Grateful Dead-loving Democrats from Florida. We are from everywhere, and our common tribal signifiers aren’t social status or professional authority or region. We find each other in remote places and big cities alike, on the Internet, through our politics – period. In the blogosphere, nobody cares if you are a 70-year-old Chinese immigrant, or a 22-year-old Harvard student, or a stay-at-home blogger dad. If you have something to say, you can say it, and if it touches a chord, people will return time and again to read what you’ve written and discuss the issues of the day with others who are reading the same things.
Al Gore – a man who knows something about the Internet – wrote in his book, The Assault on Reason, “The Internet is perhaps the greatest source of hope for reestablishing an open communications environment in which the conversation of democracy can flourish. It is the most interactive medium in history, with the greatest potential for connecting individuals to one another and to the universe of knowledge.” So while we may not be Stalinists, the Netroots is a revolution – a revolutionary, participatory democracy.
And for that purpose, the Left is more effective than the Right. Whether by temperament or philosophy, we are simply better suited to the freeform, constantly changing nature of these new political communities. Each of us finds our niche: I’m a blogger-pundit, a role for which I am eminently qualified since, exactly like pundits on television and in newspapers, I have opinions, I write them down, and a lot of people read them. Yes, that’s all there is to it. Sorry, Mr. Broder. Others have different endeavors. Bloggers Matt Stoller and Chris Bowers, for instance, are organizers of this nascent movement. They traffic in ideas that affect our ability to keep doing what we do, from net neutrality to finding a much-needed funding base for bloggers and activists. With vastly different approaches, Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo and Jane Hamsher of Firedoglake are creating a new form of journalism; Talking Points is modeled on the more traditional form, and Firedoglake is mixing reporting, opinion, and direct political advocacy. Daily Kos is a virtual community that operates like a small city, offering full-stop political shopping for its progressive inhabitants. Crooks and Liars catalogues the juiciest morsels of political TV. MoveOn moves millions to action. Media Matters monitors and calls out the right-wing noise machine. And writers for liberal magazines are all blogging and mixing it up with their readers. And there are literally thousands of others out there doing all that and more – writing back and forth with their readers, linking and arguing and organizing. This is a 24/7 worldwide political discussion and strategy session.
But all of us who blog in the progressive blogosphere have a common goal. It’s the same goal of virtually everyone in this room tonight. We want to begin a new era of progressive politics and take back America. We may argue about tactics and strategy, or the extent to which we are partisans versus ideologues (and believe me, we do), but there is no disagreement among us that the modern conservative movement of Newt and Grover and Karl and Rush has proven to be a dangerous cultural and political cancer on the body politic. You will not find anyone amongst us who believes that the Bush Administration’s executive power grab and flagrant partisan use of the federal government is anything less than an assault on the Constitution. We stand together against the dissolution of habeas corpus and the atrocities of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo, and we all agree that Islamic terrorism is a threat, but one which we cannot meet with military power alone. And yes, a vast majority of us were against this mindless invasion of Iraq from the beginning, or at least saw the writing on the wall long before Peggy Noonan discovered that George W. Bush wasn’t the second coming of Winston Churchill.
Sadly, we also all agree that the mainstream media is part of the problem. Democracy suffers when not being held accountable by a vigorous press. During the last decade, there have been three catalyzing events that drove people like me to the Internet, to research, investigate, and write about assaults on democracy itself. In 1998, the political media lost all perspective, and aggressively helped the Republicans pursue a partisan witch-hunt against a democratically-elected president and against the will of the people. The coverage of the presidential election of 2000 was legendary for its bias and sophomoric personality journalism. The press actually joined the Republicans in telling the majority who had voted for Al Gore to get over it. I don’t know about you, but I never got over it. And the third event (I don’t need to tell anyone in this room) was the almost gleeful support of the invasion of Iraq, a journalistic failure of epic proportions. If you had not been sufficiently aroused from your complacency by this time, you never would be.
The blogosphere was the natural place for many of us to turn when the institutions we counted upon seemed to be daring us to believe them, or believe our own eyes. And that coming-together set the table for the seminal candidacy of Howard Dean and all that has come since.
As it turned out, we didn’t just raise money for progressive Democrats, although many of my fellow bloggers raised a whole big pile of it from our readers all over the country. We began to push back the prevailing manufactured narratives, produced in bulk by various Republican PR shops and distributed to their talking heads in radio and television. We talked back to the media, and yes, to our own party, some of whom understood that while we were opinionated thorns in their side, we were also opinion makers, read by influentials in the everyday world of water coolers and dinner tables all over the country. We were a part of the base that could move other parts of the base, and a counter to the prevailing political stories and narratives of the day. And they know we could potentially help create a new modern political movement.
And so here we are – the famously vituperative, angry bloggers, standing before you today politely accepting this award as proud, full-fledged inheritors of the great liberal and progressive political traditions of America. On behalf of all of them and netroots activists, and especially on behalf of our dear friend, Steve Gilliard, a fighting liberal of both the old the new schools, I thank you again for inviting us to your party. Our party rages on, 24/7, all over the blogosphere, and we’d love it if all of you would stop by frequently. Thank you.
MSNBCs Chuck Todd: Edwards Was Strong Performer of Debate; Was Edwards Best Debate Performance to Date. MSNBCs Chuck Todd wrote tonight, John Edwards seemed very engaged and clearly carved out opportunities to engage Clinton and Obama. The press coverage will reflect this which the Edwards campaign will see as a victory. Bottom line, it was Edwards best debate performance to date (and I'm counting the one from this year and the ones from 2003-4). [MSNBC�s First Read, 6/3/07]
Donna Brazile: Edwards :Smart and Bold During Debate. Donna Brazile praised Edwards debate performance. Brazile said, But Senator Edwards, I also believe, came out looking very smart, he was bold, he talked about his distinctions, the differences, with the other candidates[.] [CNN, 6/3/07]
Daily Kos Readers Declared Edwards The Winner. According to the Daily Kos poll on the night of the debate, Who do you think won the debate had John Edwards leading the pack with 25% of the 1998 votes cast, followed by Obama at 22%, and Clinton at 17%. [dailykos.com, accessed at 9:30pm 6/3/07]
Larry King: Edwards was Leading with Very, Very Strong Presentation. Larry King said during the intermission of the CNN New Hampshire Democratic primary debate that Edwards was leading the field. King said, �Senator Edwards leading the force in carrying on a very, very, strong presentation[.]� [CNN, 6/3/07]
CNNs Arianna Huffington and Mike Murphy: Edwards Having Strong Second Half, Most Well Briefed. In a blog post on CNNs Political Ticker titled Comeback Kid, Arianna Huffington and Mike Murphy praised Edwards debate performance. Republican Mike Murphy remarked that Senator Edwards is having a strong second half performance. Democrat Arianna Huffington thinks he is the most well briefed candidate on the stage ... Both agree that Senator Clinton has some competition if she is to come away with the title of debate winner. [CNN.com, 6/3/07]
CNNs Arianna Huffington and Mike Murphy: Impressed With Edwards Performance; Both Believe Clinton Needs to Finally Admit that She Has Made Mistakes. CNNs Political Ticker posted under Just admit it already that
democrat Arianna Huffington and Republican Mike Murphy have finally found some common ground. Both believe that Senator Clinton needs to finally admit that she has made mistakes. Whether its the War in Iraq or gays in the military Hillary never admits she messed up, opined Murphy. Huffington agreed - she just needs to stop parsing words. Both commentators have been impressed so far with John Edwards' admissions of past mistakes and overall performance. [CNN.com, 6/3/07]
Edwards Applauded by New Hampshire Voters for Saying He Was Wrong to Vote for the War. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards got applause from the audience after saying he regretted voting for the Iraq war. I think I had the information I needed, Edwards said. I don't think that was the question. I think one difference we do have is I think I was wrong. I should never have voted for this war. [CNN.com, 6/3/07]
This is really neat. Gore is following John Edwards' lead in speaking with bloggers first then going on prime time to discuss his new book, "The Assault on Reason". Taylor Marsh was one of those invited (I think nearly all on MyDD were invited to call).
This week has been phenomenal. I've seen more diaries about the Edwards campaign around the blogosphere, most of them about endorsements, house parties, polls, or Elizabeth Edwards' health.
This week, Edwards picked up some key endorsements in WI, MN, and KY. Most of them are influential legislators who can help with the organization of the campaign, which means ground boots support. Two of the folks are current members of the House and chair key committees: Rep Obey of WI is chairs Appropriations, and Rep Oberstar of MN chairs the Transportation and Infrastructure. The two gentlemen are standing behind JRE in the picture that was taken last September.
Wednesday was the National House Parties day for the campaign. I did not host nor attend one as the closest one was near Chicago. I didn't host because right now my spouse is busy with work-related stuff and we just didn't have the time or energy to get one together. But I did get to see the DVD that was mailed to anyone who was going to host such an event. It is about 12 minutes long.
Rather than rewriting what I thought about it, Citizen 53 did a nice diary on the Daily Kos that said what I thought too.
To see more about the houseparties, George Stern at JEFP has compiled pictures and comments. Apparently, one of the bonuses of hosting was that JRE gave a conference call to all parties. How cool is that!
Polls are a funny thing. I've seen comments that Vilsack's exit out of the race helped Madame Clinton, whereas others think it helped Edwards in Iowa. In either case, Obama got no bump out of it. Chuckles1 wrote a clever diary this topic yesterday on the Daily Kos. Bottom line: Edwards is not "a" front runner; he is THE front runner in the Hawkeye State. John and Elizabeth will be back in Iowa (and NH) next week to talk more about health care, global warming, and other issues of interest to voters and caucus goers.
Yesterday was quite a day. Be Inspired over at the Daily Kos penned a diary about seeing JRE and Elizabeth upclose last week when they announced that the cancer had returned, but they would continue on the campaign. It was a moving personal story in and of itself, but then the responses were so poignant. These are the ones that brought some emotion for me:
My husband's last unemployment check was just cashed Monday. I don't know how or where it'll come from but I think I have a couple of bucks I can spare. If it means the difference between Edwards being president or another four years of the same s**t, different face, I have to try and help.
It's funny though... as I was watching the press conference unfold, I immediately wanted to send them a whole bunch of money.
Hillary is detached and slippery.
Obama talks pretty but that's all he does.
Edwards needs to be our next president to fix this country and make it America again.
Thanks for a wonderful diary from the inside. It means a lot.
And this one:
I just donated a little..
I plan to do much more in a few months, but am on disability now, so funds are low...but with surgery scheduled next week and a six week recuperation time frame I should be back to work in a couple of months and then I plan to donate monthly.
I appreciate the diary and look for any Edwards news here daily. Howard Dean pulled me into politics for the first time in 20 years (although I always voted) and I am supporting Edwards this time because he has been walking the walk these past four years. I will support the candidate who wins the primary, but it will be soooo much easier to talk to friends and neighbors about Edwards in 2008...you know when the other 95% of the voters start paying attention. :)
For anyone in KY - take a look at Miller/Maze for our Gov. race!!! THEY ROCK!
-Michelle
So amazing, people who hardly can afford much of anything, and they want to see positive change for this country.
If that weren't enough for one day, during my lunch hour I saw this post over at JRE's blog:
You all have hugged me, and I thank each one of you. From the posts on the blog here (and nearly everywhere, it seems), to the emails offering support and prayers and remedies and affection, to the cards and letters I cherish, to the flowers and teddy bears, the elixirs and photographs -- including the astounding twelve dozen -- yes, you read that right -- twelve dozen beautiful pink roses from Democratic Underground -- you have hugged me, you have made a difficult time easier, and you have hardened my resolve (okay, maybe my resolve was pretty hard already) to fight this.
Yes, this is Elizabeth Edwards, thanking the bloggers, especially those at the DU, for the 144 pink roses she received this week.
I noticed last week that the DU was going to do this. Onebluenation got it rolling, and by Monday, over $500 had been raised. So, I decided to post Elizabeth's note at the DU (since I am a member).
Wow, it made the front page in 3 hours. Amazing. It's still there, 165 recommends later.
So this week, in which today is the end of the first quarter, has been like the song, the Waters of March, which I'm very fond of. It's a Brazilian tune by Jobim.
Here are the lyrics:
A stick, a stone, It's the end of the road, It's the rest of a stump, It's a little alone
It's a sliver of glass, It is life, it's the sun, It is night, it is death, It's a trap, it's a gun
The oak when it blooms, A fox in the brush, A knot in the wood, The song of a thrush
The wood of the wind, A cliff, a fall, A scratch, a lump, It is nothing at all
It's the wind blowing free, It's the end of the slope, It's a beam, it's a void, It's a hunch, it's a hope
And the river bank talks of the waters of March, It's the end of the strain, The joy in your heart
The foot, the ground, The flesh and the bone, The beat of the road, A slingshot's stone
A fish, a flash, A silvery glow, A fight, a bet, The range of a bow
The bed of the well, The end of the line, The dismay in the face, It's a loss, it's a find
A spear, a spike, A point, a nail, A drip, a drop, The end of the tale
A truckload of bricks in the soft morning light, The shot of a gun in the dead of the night
A mile, a must, A thrust, a bump, It's a girl, it's a rhyme, It's a cold, it's the mumps
The plan of the house, The body in bed, And the car that got stuck, It's the mud, it's the mud
Afloat, adrift, A flight, a wing, A hawk, a quail, The promise of spring
And the riverbank talks of the waters of March, It's the promise of life It's the joy in your heart
A stick, a stone, It's the end of the road It's the rest of a stump, It's a little alone
A snake, a stick, It is John, it is Joe, It's a thorn in your hand and a cut in your toe
A point, a grain, A bee, a bite, A blink, a buzzard, A sudden stroke of night
A pin, a needle, A sting, a pain, A snail, a riddle, A wasp, a stain
A pass in the mountains, A horse and a mule, In the distance the shelves rode three shadows of blue
And the riverbank talks of the waters of March, It's the promise of life in your heart, in your heart
A stick, a stone, The end of the road, The rest of a stump, A lonesome road
A sliver of glass, A life, the sun, A knife, a death, The end of the run
And the riverbank talks of the waters of March, It's the end of all strain, It's the joy in your heart.
Watch Jane Monheit sing it.
Note: Waters of March is not only dedicated to the Edwards campaign, but also to my spouse, JRZ. Today's our wedding anniversary--number 6.
This blog is for my friends and acquaintances who were formerly with the John Edwards campaign, which had the most progressive agenda. I am a progressive liberal, musing about politics and life.
8 votes - 8 % 
