we have the right formula...it worked for GOP

[tbuddha]

Consider this: the way the fundamentalists have gotten their message out the last decade has followed a set pattern. It starts in fringe publications (well, used to be fringe anyway) like the American Spectator and Weekly Standard. It would get hardcore repukes talking and forming talking points that would consolidate on conservative radio ala Limbaugh, O'Liely, and Hannity. By then it would have enough buzz to make it to more credible but still right-biased publications like the editorial page of the WSJ. Then of course they had FOX. By then the message was out there enough to look credible and the MSM would latch on.

This example is better explained in Al Franken's book "Lies,..." and should be checked out by all DUers,

The point is, we have our own network that has very quickly developed over the last year that rivals theirs. It's maybe even better in that it appears Dems make much better use of the internet which is such a POWERFUL tool. We have our own fringe publication in The Nation that has quickly gained popularity, and have our radio now with AAR. And you can see how we are achieving a similar bubbling up process. Take some time to think of all the progress we have made the last few weeks. The coverage we have gotten, the articles that have been printed, the studies that have come out. We are growing stronger everyday and unlike repukes, we have the TRUTH on our side.

The GOP is actually in more danger than ever. Think: Never before have this many smart individuals banded together for a political cause in such an organized way. WE have the power, don't forget that.

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. But the biggest impact we can make is by taking back the towns.

The GOP gained power by grooming folks at the local level. School boards, town councils, county commissions, etc. They used a bottom to top strategy in a very effective but somewhat stealthy manner that was paradoxically visible to all who cared to look. Ingenious really.

[tbuddha]

2. Exactly! And we need to follow that bottom to top method

What you are referring to is that they made power grabs from bottom to top. I was referring more to media coverage and getting stories out.

Yes, we DO need to focus more on gaining control of local government. I think this is where our use of the internet will give us the advantage. Strong Dem areas can quickly adjust to helping areas that may need assistance. We need to do a lot of work in the coming years to take control of more Town Councils, school boards, and (to be appropriate in this forum) ELECTION BOARDS.

[lwesty]

3. I mostly lurk

but I'll just poke my head in to say that I am a fan of your posts, tbuddha. I share your perceptions and appreciate your positve outlook.

[tbuddha]

5. Thank you

I'd like to think someday we will all party together once we have our nation back on track.

[GOPFighter]

4. Keep in mind...

...it has taken the GOP well over a decade to get to where they are today. We are just getting started. The thing that impresses me is that we've made great strides in just a short period of time. Bush's GOP will soon be toast if we keep picking up steam like we have in the past two years!

[ClassWarrior]

10. It took the Radical RW FORTY years to get to this point.

They began in 1964 after Goldwater's crash-and-burn. So if that's any indication, our Progressive Renaissance will be a long, hard slog - hopefully not 40 years, but by no means quick. We need to be steadfast and diligent and strong. And it will get ugly at times. But I'm ready for it. In fact, I think it'll be a grand adventure. How about you?

Never Give Up.

[drunkdriver-in-chief]

6. All we need are candidates who will fight

We are always stuck with these pure and noble types who refuse to go negative even when repugs are spreading lies about them. There has never been a candidate so open to attack as bush but kerry wouldn't do it.

[tbuddha]

8. Hmm...I thought there should have been more effort from US

as far as mudslinging goes. That's the job of surrogates if anything. The candidate should remain positive. We don't have quite the little army or badmouthers they have with the likes of Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, O'Reilly, and others. We're getting there though, thanks in large part to AAR.

[ClassWarrior]

12. Yup. We need attack dogs. And we need to be a little less squeamish.

Sly, the Madison Progressive talker who called Condosleeza "Aunt Jemima," for instance. We don't need to agree with the guy, but we do need to cut folks like him a little slack because they serve a useful purpose in "raising the profile" of Progressive points of view, if you will. Cuz the Corporate Media Whores sure ain't coverin' us when we're polite.

NGU.

[Yuugal]

7. keep shouting it from the rooftops!

You are 100% right and many of us here have been saying the same thing. If we keep singing our song long enough, some of the brain dead folks at the DNC and DLC may find themselves humming the same tune.

[trudyco]

9. Who really owns the MSM?

I mean somehow FOX, an australian company gets our public airwaves (and I assume doesn't pay taxes like the others do). Then CBS - I remember the right wingers saying they were targeting Rather and after that he really changed his reporting, then NBC, ABC was always right leaning. Turner sold out on CNN. Rueters doesn't seem to be used as much as AP. Didn't there also used to be the UPI or something? Reporters don't report, unless you count sports and weather. They read scripts.

Twenty years ago I enjoyed reading NYT and Washington post, Boston Globe. Now they are just awful. I'd get newsweek which was OK, US News and World Report was sort of in the middle and Time was to be avoided. WSJ and LA times were to be avoided. Now its a news wasteland.

There is NO MSM for progressives. You have Freespeech and LinkTV but they are usually not news, except Democracy NOW and INN. Some people don't even have access to them. Some like me get them broadcast at bad times. It does not feed my news addiction, particularly with things are hot like now.

The idea of trickling up ideas to the media is great!! - except we have 1 or 2 sort of weekly news magazine/papers, 1 or 2 sort of AM radio stations (thank goodness for streaming), and 1 or 2 barebones News TV. I think all of them are ignored by the MSM. Why is that? Who owns these guys? Why are they so anti liberal?


Still, even without hitting the MSM between the eyes, it would be great if the democrats used the internet technology to start doing some bottom up brainstorming. I'd LOVE to have my local Democratic chapter have a 7PM webcast/conference call once a week or something. I could go to meetings without leaving my house! Use that time I used to devote to the MSM. I thought maybe Kerry was getting the idea with his email about healthcare, but then nothing.

[blue agave]

11. Kick !

[Chasing Dreams]

13. kick