I think everyone would agree that Senator Barack Obama started a firestorm when he posted a diary a few weeks ago explaining his views on the Roberts vote, the netroots, and how he believes Democrats should communicate with voters.
I, for one, thought his points were compelling. I believe that we do need to make sure that our tone, which, like it or not, can come off as shrill, does not detract from our message. Put simply: style is as important as substance. Many people respectfully -- and some not so respectfully -- disagreed. But I think we all appreciated the fact that Obama sat down, read what we wrote, and personally responded. I believe that his words and actions showed a respect for the netroots beyond its fundraising capacity, and an understanding of the growing importance of this medium.
He affirmed my belief in Tuesday's Washington Post story when he said the following:
"Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) caught some attention on the site last month, when he posted a 2,000-word response there to bloggers' complaints about Democrats who had supported John G. Roberts Jr.'s nomination to the Supreme Court...
"'It was a good opportunity to engage an activist community in a forum that is rapidly growing,' Obama said in an interview. 'If you take these blogs seriously, they'll take you seriously.'"
He takes us seriously. He takes our participation in the Democratic process seriously. He respects us, and for that, I respect him.
WaPo link