Netroots Focus on the Basics: Win NovemberPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jul. 18‚ 2008AUSTIN, TX – Are liberal bloggers upset at Barack Obama for supporting the last FISA bill? Of course, but that’s not the focus on the first day of Netroots Nation in Austin. It was the first audience question raised at a 9:00 a.m. panel, but we all know this is part of a broader struggle. In contrast to last year’s glitz in Chicago, the netroots at this Convention are working on the nuts and bolts of winning the White House in November – and electing more and better Democrat at all levels of government – which will alter the definition of what’s politically possible. There aren’t as many prominent speakers, and the panels are fewer in number. Instead, we have presentations by the DNC’s “neighbor-to-neighbor” voter program – along with caucus meetings and self-organized workshops. Howard Dean has shown up, but he’s not really a celebrity – he’s like a member of the family. |