What a year this has been for the Florida Netroots! You've been on a roll since we were last together at the Jefferson-Jackson Weekend Netroots luncheon in June. Recent accomplishments include:
- The Blog Florida Blue initiative was launched.
- Florida Progressive Radio's audience is growing with each daily broadcast.
- The Netroots Coalition, modeled after a constituency caucus, has been added to the Florida Democratic Party structure.
- We're putting pressure on Florida’s Republican Congressional Delegation with the new WatchBlog network.
- Many bloggers around the state are keeping Florida informed with daily postings.
The Florida Democratic Party is proud to be working with so many activists who understand the important of online and offline activism, community organizing, and infrastructure building. We're so impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication shown so far that we believe the Florida Netroots will be a major force in the 2008 election.
We will keep building momentum at the Florida Democratic Party's biggest quadrennial event – our 2007 State Convention to be held October 26-28 at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista, FL. For the first time ever, the Party and the Netroots will conduct joint workshops to train novice and advanced bloggers. This is part of our continuing effort to grow the Florida Netroots.
With more than 3,000 confirmed delegates already, this year's Convention promises to be the most exciting in history. We expect at least 100 delegates to take part in the blogging panels: Blogging 101, Technological Tools, and Working with the Netroots (yes, there will be wireless internet this time!). And we are pleased to announce that Matt Stoller from OpenLeft.com will give the Closing Keynote Address.
Besides writing at OpenLeft.com, Matt is President of the political action committee BlogPAC and he also consults for the Sunlight Foundation on open government, for ActBlue, and for Working Assets, a progressive phone company. Other past projects of his include the web campaign thereisnocrisis.com to fight against the privatization of Social Security, a radio and blog project called 'The Blogging of the President', and the web campaign enjoythedraft.com. He is the co-author of a report titled 'The Emergence of the Progressive Blogosphere' from the New Politics Institute. In 2003, he worked on the Draft Wesley Clark movement. Stoller began blogging in 2002.
Matt’s focus on progressive coalition building, the mechanics of the right-wing, and communications policy is exactly the expertise that will help us to grow the online progressive infrastructure in Florida.
At the Netroots Luncheon in June, I asked for your help in raising money to bring down knowledgeable speakers such as Matt to the Netroots Conference during the State Convention. Our goal remains to raise $1500 to cover travel expenses for both Matt and another great keynote speaker who we will announce very soon. Please consider giving a small contribution to bring these speakers down. Their expertise will be invaluable in furthering the Florida Netroots.
Contribute today at our ActBlue page:
http://www.actblue.com/...
Florida has historically been a crucial swing state in the Presidential election, and 2008 promises to a strong year for Democrats here! A key component for our victory will be the Florida's growing blogosphere. We all know the impact that an organized blogging community can have in states like Montana and Virginia. Florida has the energy, passion, and people to replicate that success and take it a step beyond.
I hope you will be able to take part in this historic event. With a strong Netroots organization, the potential for real, progressive change is truly palpable. Together, we can take back Florida!
As always, thank you for your hard work on behalf of Florida Democrats.
Phillip Perry, Internet Technology Director
Florida Democratic Party