Is Netroots Community Just Another Political Monolith?
Posted on January 29, 2007
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I love the netroots / Kos community. It is a beautiful thing that there is a strong, net-organized, progressive movement, especially coming up from among younger voters who, as a demographic, have been underrepresented in political debate and voting. It tends to be an idealistic group as one would expect. Because I want to celebrate their idealism and activism, I get distressed at times to see the netroots group fall into the same old traps.
Says Kos:
Ahh, Yesterday I wondered where the WSJ got the notion that Hillary had scored significant victories in the “netroots primary”, since all objective evidence suggests that Hillary, in fact, has little online support.
For some among that group, it’s not cool to like Hillary Clinton. It is very cool to like John Edwards. The old trap is the piling on effect, rather than independent thought and decision-making. It’s easy to take the shortcut of being influenced by a trusted opinion. Right now, there’s plenty of time to form our own opinions and defend them.
Hillary gets trashed pretty constantly, Edwards gets a pass on a record that is to my mind less inspiring. Both are talented, strong candidates. Both have very similar voting records and agendas. (his short voting record may be a bit more conservative.) When they speak she sounds establishment, like a senator; he sounds populist and an idealist. On substance there’s way less difference.
From the idealists, it’s surprising that Barack Obama doesn’t seem to be getting attention beyond his due. He is absolutely inspiring as a speaker. I certainly have my moments of wanting to sit as a disciple at his feet. I don’t really know him on substance yet, though. Stay tuned.
Strange that these same idealists are not in a hurry to see the first woman president. I know I am. Having witnessed the administrations of Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, HW Bush, Bill Clinton, and shrub (W Bush appellation in honor of Molly Ivins — get well xoxo). Jimmy Carter is a great man, but his presidency did not inspire. Bill Clinton, The Best President of a Generation, like Kennedy before him, had classic man troubles.
Who wouldn’t be ready for a woman to take charge?
I’d first tell my netroots friends to keep doing what you’re doing — writing, inspiring, organizing, and contributing. Next I’d suggest that if you’re inclined to be critical, be critical thinkers first.
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Is Netroots Community Just Another Political Monolith?…
For some among that group, it’s not cool to like Hillary Clinton. It is very cool to like John Edwards. The old trap is the piling on effect, rather than independent thought and decision-making. It’s easy to take the shortcut of being influenced by…