It's a lot of fun to sling the bullshit around the blogosphere. Good information is exchanged, ideas are presented, challenged, sharpened and refined. Strategies that were effective in one situation can be shared for use in another. Markos has created a place for contact and communication.
Further, DailyKos has shown itself to be an effective focal point for action. The Sinclair campaign, the dKos Dozen, the fundraising, the memes that were born on this blog and which found their way into the mouth of a presidential candidate, all serve as examples of the enormous potential that resides in this community. Where do we go from here? More.....
I am proposing that we take this community down a notch. Not in the vernacular sense of that phrase, but in the practical, grass-roots sense that all politics is local.
I propose that we give consideration to forming State Caucuses from among the participants in this community. The Internet affords numerous modalities for organization, from e-mail lists, to chatrooms, to blogs, to websites, each serving members of the individual State Caucuses.
For example, I'm in WV. I know Carnacki is also from WV, and I've seen a few others. We decide to form a State Caucus. We can analyze our particular state election laws to determine the most effective actions. Board of Elections? County Democratic Committee? We can determine which of these is an effective use of time, effort and resources. We can speak with one voice regarding issues in our state.
In '06, for example, that frothy mix known as Santorum is up for re-election. All the posts in the world will not be as effective as focused, action-oriented communication among the Pennsylvania Caucus. Need some help with canvassing? LTE's? Support at a rally or fundraiser? Communicate with the Caucuses from OH, WV, MD, NJ, NY, DE, etc. We live nearby and maybe we can help. We won't be reached by the State Democratic Party...but you can mobilize us.
The State Caucuses can provide the community at large with the inside, on-the-ground information concerning our local Congressional and Senate races. We can let the larger group know which seats might be ripe for a pick-up, which of our incumbents need help, etc. It's networking, in both the micro- and macro- sense. And belonging to a caucus need not be confined to state residents; I live within 5 miles of both OH and PA. There's no reason I couldn't be of some use in Eastern OH and Western PA, in addition to WV.
I'll take the bull by the horns for WV. If you're in WV, or have an interest in turning WV blue, drop me an e-mail at keithwhart AT gmail DOT com., or respond in the WV Caucus thread at my blog.
Also, use this diary to drum up a caucus in your own state or locality. (Hint: if it gets recommended, it will stay up longer....not to diarywhore or anything....)
UPDATE bribri has posted a list in the dkosopedia here.
If bribri or someone else has the time and the dkosopedia savvy to flesh out that list with e-mail addresses, let me know, and I'll forward such info as I receive.
If your post or your profile didn't include an e-mail or the state/states in which you are interested, shoot me an e-mail and I'll group them by state, circulate them around, and pass them to whomever volunteers to maintain the dkosopedia listing.
I am loving the enthusiasm, by the way.