Does Daily Kos take requests? We're about to find out.
If you're like me, you have ten or twenty diary topics constantly floating around in your head. I even keep a list of ideas on my laptop. Most of them, I never get around to writing. So I'm putting these topics up for adoption.
They're not dogs, at least in my opinion. After a year of reading and writing here at DKos, I think these diaries will be well-received, assuming they're done well. My writing just can't keep up with my topical wish list.
I suggest 4 ways to participate in the comments section:
1) adopt one of these diaries;
2) suggest a DKos diarist for one of them;
3) add your own "diary I'll recommend" to the wish list;
4) vote for the diary topic you most want to read.
In no particular order of interest or importance, here are the ten diaries that, properly done, I (and many others) will recommend. I know that some of these topics have been touched upon in past diaries, but I'm looking for the definitive post.
The Lamont Effect: Messaging to the War-Weary Voter
How will Ned Lamont's primary victory impact campaign messages for other Democrats in tight congressional races this November? Is it "safer," in the minds of candidates, to step up the anti-war rhetoric, or do House and Senate Dems view the Lamont vote strictly as a "Connecticut" thing?
Wiretapping on Appeal: Projecting SCOTUS
Assuming Judge Anna Diggs Taylor's NSA ruling is appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, what can we expect from each of the 9 justices? Will they tow the conservative line, or show some individual thought as they did in the Gitmo ruling? What precedents exist for this type of case? How does the ACLU's legal strategy change for the higher court?
Election Reform: A Best-Case Scenario
If you could single-handedly change the way we vote, what reforms would you implement? Why? How would technology change? Would elections move from Tuesdays to weekends? What role would internet voting play? What about campaign finance and advertising and PAC messages? Write your own election utopia, but support your ideas with data.
The Real Influence of Media on Political Beliefs
How easily persuaded is the average American when it comes to news, talk shows, editorials and media advertising? What role do the media play in our decision-making process? Do we flock to media outlets (a la DKos) that already represent our views, leaving no room for influence, or do we revere certain news outlets enough to let them shape our opinions?
Revisiting Schumer's 7
Where has the DSCC succeeded and failed in its effort to influence Senator Schumer's 7 key Senate races? Did Schumer peg the right 7? What strategy will the DSCC employ in the next 80 days to pound the final nail in the coffin of vulnerable Republican Senators? For some background info, see my diary from last December here.
Burning Down the House
Start with the assumption that Democrats win the house this November, and then project what will happen in the first 90 days of the new Congress. Do censure or impeachment really come into play? How do we validate voters' faith in us? What happens with the war in Iraq? What policy issues do we spend our political capital on?
Bush Defends
If you search the phrase - "Bush Defends" - Google will return 8.7 million hits. Compile the mother of all lists, summarizing all the policy missteps, gaffs and questionable activities that Bush has had to defend to the media and the American electorate. This one isn't for the casual blogger; diehards only need apply.
Impact a Congressional Election - Without Spending a Dime
Finally, the Democratic Party is embracing the power of street-level marketing, local organization and people-powered politics. For everyone who can't send $100 to the candidate of their choice, detail all the ways to get involved, and truly impact a campaign, without spending a dime. The 50-State Strategy and 100actions.com will be great starting points for this diary.
How Can We Win if We Won't Play?
Republicans have mastered a variety of ethically-questionable election strategies in order to put the odds of winning in their favor: congressional redistricting, installing 3rd party candidates to siphon Dem votes, voter suppression - even outright election theft, if you believe the mounting evidence. Can Democrats win national elections without being reduced to reprehensible behavior? Can a case be made for us to stoop to Republicans' level? Are voters even noticing what's going on?
Intent to Kill: Bush's Plans for Iran
Dubya's long-term intentions for Iran have been the subject of great speculation, but what is he really up to? Was the Israel/Hezbollah war just a warm-up or backdoor justification for pre-emptive action against Iran? What part does oil play? What part does Bush's self-described religious mandate play? Left unchecked, what will Bush do with Iran?
Go ahead...adopt one. Suggest an author. Offer up another diary topic. Or just vote. I'm excited to see where this goes.