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Netroots begins with blogs and other online communities
By Shawn Estes
from WillametteLive, Section News
Posted on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 01:04:44 PM PDT
Markos Moulitsas, founder of DailyKos
The Internet has brought instant communication to millions of households in the world. It's not surprising that politicians have made their way to that platform. But what is surprising is that the Internet has embraced and extended the reach of candidates, platforms, and national discussion. Instead of plastering posters of rallies all over the city, the Internet has become the centerpiece in the political grassroots movement. The term "netroots" was coined to describe political activism through blogs and online media, including social networking sites -- like MySpace or Facebook, community blogs like DailyKos and RedState, and individual candidate Web sites developed by their campaigns.

"BLOGGING" IT TO THE STREETS

Blogs, short for the term "Web logs" are a prime source for local political coverage. There are top-tier communities like DailyKos and RedState who cover national political issues and highlight key elections or candidates that align with their particular views. With the larger communities, individual users can keep their own blog (or "diaries"), which a group of editors choose from for promotion to the front page of the overall site. By having your blog promoted to the front page, the full community is likely to read and respond to it.

"Lower Tier" blogs generally cover a specific topic or a local region. The Pacific Northwest has its fair share of coverage. BlueOregon and LoadedOrygun make up the more popular liberal blogs covering state issues. Conservatives in Oregon are not directly represented, but NW Republican covers both Oregon and Washington issues from a conservative viewpoint.

Tomorrow, we'll delve into the social networking side of political activism with "Being Social No Longer Means Talking." UPDATE: Part 2 is now available. Being Social No Longer Means Talking





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