I think that's what you call me at least. I've had a couple of diaries in drafts that I've never bothered to pull the trigger on, and a few comments here and there. I really just enjoy reading. Whenever I've had anything to say, someone else has typically said it better already. I like this place. I find it insightful. And now, I think I can offer some insight that only someone who mostly just reads can have.
From what I remember...
In 1998 an online group began destributing a petition to 'Censure The President and Move On.' MoveOn.org was born. The President was not censured, he was impeached, and the country did not move on for awhile. The online petition had failed.
Then, a little while later, Howard Dean gave a speach attacking the Democrative Party for not standing up to Bush. In an echo to Paul Wellstone, he declared it his mission to, 'take back the Democratic Party.' Many of the same people who had started MoveOn.org, found a way to get a lot of money and attention to Howard Dean. But Dean didn't make it out of Iowa. The online, now groups, not group, had failed.
During all that, these internet people found a candidate who had very little experience and backed him in the Democratic primary against a man who had most recently been the nominee for Vice President of the United States. They won...in the primary. Joe Lieberman came back as an Independent to win in the general election. The online groups had failed.
While 'ol Joe may have won, Kerry lost. We all failed.
Except Howard Dean became head of the DNC.
Then, 2006 happened. The NetRoots, as these groups were now referred to, won Montana with John Tester and Virginia with Jim Webb. In Montana, they beat a self-funded Millionaire in a primary. A man who had the backing of the Democratic establishment whose gate needed crashing so badly. And then Tester took out a long standing Republican. In Virginia, they beat a potential Republican nominee for President, by painting him (correctly) as a good 'ol boy racist. After all, you don't win in the south by being afraid of those people.
Also in 2006, Democrats retake Congress. A stunning ability to fight for nearly every seat in nearly every district, with the same level of intensity, is displayed to great effect.
The NetRoots had succeeded.
Your first real success was just two years ago.
Now it's 2008 and the NetRoots are so effective that the impossible is suddenly likely: a brokered convention.
Wow.
No one knows the future. That's why it's so fun to predict, everyone begins on a even plane of not knowing, and that never changes. So here's a prediction:
After 2010 Joe Lieberman wont be a Senator anymore.
As an avid reader, I have a simple request. Keep this movement in perspective. It's not about Obama and Hillary. It's about a better America. That means better members of city councils and school boards and party committees and dog catchers. That means better people who have been turned off by politics deciding to get in the game.
That means you. Run for something if you care so damn much.
This infighting is as distracting as it is dumb. Sure, back your imperfect candidate in your imperfect way. We're human, imperfect is the best we can do. But please, don't threaten to toss aside the NetRoots collective and impressive accomplishments over one election.
I thought it was never going to be about just one election. But what do I know? I'm just a lurker.