-- in response to this
fantastic post.
Dean Nation was a very special place back in the day -- particularly special when it was really the only place to get the latest on Dean and his role in the campaign.
I remember the day Aziz asked me to post -- this was when I was living in Stockholm, before I went to work for the campaign full-time. I remember how excited I was to be able to step up and help get the word out, having some responsibility for this site and this community that was something much bigger than my own little blog.
It was a fantastic experience writing with everyone there, and learning to write as an activist trying to achieve something (as opposed to an [often intoxicated] observer). Aziz and the others gave me that opportunity, and I dove in head first. I quickly realized that I wanted to do more -- and wound up moving across an ocean to work for the campaign.
Dean Nation was the first time I ever took responsibility as an activist for making something happen, and it put me on a path that has completely changed the course of my life. It's an amazing (and kind of ridiculous) thing that if you're willing to take a risk and work for something you believe in you can actually be a real part of it.
That was an interesting time in politics, and I wonder if that kind of opportunity exists today, with blogs organizing as PACs or LLCs, and Senators and Governors holding conference calls with bloggers. Back then it kind of felt like we were a few people shouting in a large empty room -- very easy to be heard, not so much impact. Now there are a lot more people in the room, you have to shout a lot louder, and there are certain folks who have particularly loud voices. The flip side, though, is the fact that a whole lot of ordinary people can have an extraordinary impact (see: Paul Hackett).
Part of the challenge for me and for the rest of us at the DNC now, I think, is to try to institutionalize that opportunity and enhance that power of ordinary folks like me or you or anyone to get involved and, with some hard work, passion, and loyalty, wind up with an extraordinary experience that not only contributes to the cause but reshapes their lives.