Blogging for Dollars
July 17th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
As Netroots Nation commenced this morning at the Austin Convention Center, bloggers, candidates, and netroots activists came together at the Texas Bloggers caucus to discuss the state of the Texas blogosphere and their common goal of “turning Texas blue.”
From the “God-blogger” of Texas progressive blogs, Charles Kuffner, to current state senate candidate Joe Jaworski, speakers agreed that Texas bloggers have come a long way in a very short time.
The Texas blogging community has matured rapidly, said Jaworski. “It has changed the way political reporting is done.”
The Texas blogosphere is the largest in the country, according to Karl-Thomas Musselman, publisher of the Burnt Orange Report. And, contrary to this morning’s Austin American-Statesman article (“Political bloggers gaining clout — but it’s no way to make a living”), Musselman says Texas bloggers are starting to “put their money where their mouse is.”
Musselman, who announced plans to quit his day job after this cycle and devote his time to Burnt Orange, predicts that the rapid growth of Texas blogs will soon create a medium strong enough to supply paying jobs for its prominent writers.
The Texas online community is gaining clout as a political campaign contributor as well, said Vince Leibowitz, chair of the Texas Progressive Alliance, who pointed to the million dollars raised online for the Rick Noriega campaign as an example of netroots potential.
“That is nothing to sneeze at,” says Leibowitz. “If you are from Texas you can walk with your head held high, because we are leading the nation in progressive online activism.”
Melissa Noriega spoke as well, thanking bloggers for supporting both her and husband. “Blogging is re-democratizing our national conversation,” she said. “It is powerful.”
Bloggers, activists and candidates alike hope this growing power will be strong enough to turn Texas Democratic next election.
Kuffner’s aim is to win back the Texas House. “This is the most tangible goal for Texas Democrats,” he said.
Others are shooting beyond the moon. Blogger Annatopia, founding member of the Texas Progressive Alliance, said she believes Texas has a good chance of swinging Democratic in the next presidential election.
“We are standing on the edge of a blue state,” Annatopia said. “Imagine if Texas turned blue … We could lock up the presidency for cycles to come,” she said.
She also said it was time for bloggers to move out from behind the comforting glow of their computer screens and step into the real world—to attend political rallies, fundraising parties and neighborhood campaigns.
“We need to talk to our neighbors,” Annatopia continued. “We need to put shoe leather to the streets.”
July 21st, 2008 at 5:23 pm
As I wasn’t at the Texas Bloggers Caucus, I didn’t say the quoted items-though I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed.
I think that was probably one of our other frontpagers, Annatopia, who is one of the founders of the TPA.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 am
Thanks. My apologies. Correction made.