Chuck Schumer, DailyKos, 21 March 2007:
Last cycle, I saw firsthand the transformational role bloggers are playing in our Party. Jim Webb and Jon Tester, candidates who were supported early by the blogosphere, are just two of the most prominent examples of the role the netroots can play in helping Democrats win more Senate seats.
...Netroots support is a key metric the DSCC uses to determine the viability of any given candidate. And the importance of netroots support is often larger in the early stages of an election cycle. Now is the time when the netroots can help find candidates and build the energy they'll need to win.
That's where you come in.
Awesome!
Let's see... any early netroots support for the NH-Sen race?
Kos, DailyKos, 26 March 2007:
While the field isn't set yet, Marchand seems to be building support with the state's grass- and netroots groups. Barring further movement, I suspect Marchand will be the guy to watch in this race.
OK, fine, but what about the candidate? Is he making an effort to reach out to the blogosphere?
Steve Marchand, Blue Hampshire, 4 April 2007:
As an avid reader of Blue Hampshire since its inception, I am excited to begin actively contributing to the discussion here.
My name is Steve Marchand and I am a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2008.
I am running for U.S. Senate because I believe New Hampshire needs leadership that represents its values. As Mayor of Portsmouth and a native of Manchester, I believe that I have a unique perspective on the everyday concerns of New Hampshirites. Growing up a first-generation American, the son of a carpenter and a millworker from Quebec, I learned from a young age the importance of hard work, the value of healthcare and a living wage, and the vital role that our elected officials play in making a difference in our community.
...I look forward to being actively engaged in the discussion here at Blue Hampshire and on other blogs over the course of the campaign. I appreciate your consideration, welcome your feedback and encourage you to learn more about my campaign at our website, www.stevemarchand.com.
Man, I am soooo glad new media tools like the netroots are working in concert with the DC establishment. I say goodbye and good riddance to "smoky back room" politics!
Harvard Crimson, 13 April 2007:
Deirdre Murphy, a spokesperson for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), confirmed yesterday that (Jeanne) Shaheen had met privately with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and DSCC Chairman Sen. Charles E. Schumer ’71 of New York, but said she could not comment on the specifics of the meeting.
...The DSCC has promised Shaheen its full support if she decides to run, Murphy said.
Hmm... not so much I guess.
Let me be clear: whoever becomes the Democratic nominee in NH against John Sununu will have my full support and will be the recipient of an almost obsessive amount of supportive blogging from me, whether it's Shaheen, Marchand, or someone else.
But to be invited by Schumer to recruit candidates who have early netroots support and then soon after (the Union Leader reports that this meeting happened almost two weeks ago, or to put it another way, just a little after he wrote the dKos diary) find that Schumer would rather decide for NH who our nominee should be is really disappointing. And insulting to both the netroots and the citizens of New Hampshire. And, imho, to the declared candidates.
If I were Schumer, I'd look no further than the DCCC's 2006 pre-primary support of Jim Craig to get a sense of how New Hampshire reacts to outside influence. Or he could just take a short walk over to Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter's office to get that reminder.