...or at least among the most important...
I'm still a relative newbie here and I have written about 10 diaries and published none of them. However, I have had a growing concern about a pattern I've seen around here and I thought this might be worth it.
More over the fold or whatever that scary and abstract space below is called...
DOWN-BALLOT CANDIDATE DIARIES ARE AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT DIARIES ON THIS SITE.
Ok, I said it. Sorry for yelling, but it breaks my heart every time one of these diaries rolls down the list with few recs and few comments - especially the live blogs. What an important opportunity to have a real effect on the political process. It's our chance to vet Democratic candidates and to become informed about what matters to all of us: making the Progressive Democratic base strong and deep.
I know we are all so caught up in the presidential primary, but, in truth, winning Congressional and Gubernatorial races and building our base is at least as important. I know they aren't as exciting or sexy as the latest development in this epic presidential primary. Nonetheless, I feel these candidates deserve your recommendation, your attention and, if you are able, your money.
Scott Kleeb gets tons of attention but there are so many other candidates that also need us.
We do a lot of bloviating around here, and actually I don't think it's wasteful (as I've heard people argue), however I think when we can take action that can have a direct effect on what we all care about, then it deserves our attention.
The thing that prompted this was last night's Doug Denneny's (VA-11) live-blogging diary Live Blog right now with Congressional Candidate Doug Denneny and today's Obamajority: Live Blog NOW w/ MN-03 Candidate Ashwin Madia, plus this excellent diary NC-Sen: A Call to Action for Progressives! and this one Got your tax rebate? Send some love to a real Dem!. These diaries get some attention, but I felt they should have been flooded with recc's. In the case of live-blogs, I think these candidates should be challenged, questioned and vetted by us. We should know who our allies are, we should spread our wealth and our knowledge and we should let candidates know that we are paying attention and that our attention matters, regardless of whether we are constituents of the particular candidate, or not. I wish there was at least one of these diaries on the recc'd list at all times. Frankly, I wish they had a recc'd list all their own - especially at times like now where the presidential race is sucking up all of the attention.
I feel so strongly that one of the most important things that can happen in this election year is that DK and other Progressive blogs continue grow in strength and influence. As I said, I'm pretty new to the blogosphere but I have become convinced that it's one of the most hopeful and powerful forces for Democracy. I know there are many here who understand this much more deeply than I do, and I don't mean to give anyone a guilt trip or anything. I just wanted to take this chance to remind any who will listen of the importance of us building a Democratic majority that has deep roots, that is lasting and that is OURS.
So ends my comment, I apologize if it's not too much of a diary and I don't really expect too much response but I'd love to hear any comments, criticisms, suggestions and feedback.