Jim Webb: Netroots Candidate

By: Howard Park
Published On: 6/14/2006 11:55:48 AM

(cross posted from MyDD & Daily Kos)

If one thinks that being a Netroots candidate is a top-down thing, a matter of obtaining endorsements from big name bloggers and organizations like DFA and MoveOn, then Jim Webb in Virginia does not qualify as a Netroots candidate (yet) although he does have the support of Kos.  If however, one sees the Netroots as a fundamentally bottom-up phenomenon, Jim Webb and Ned Lamont are the best examples of a Netroots candidates ever, Jon Tester too!
 
Bloggers, most notably those at raisingkaine.com were the first to promote the possibility of a Webb candidacy via draftjameswebb.com.  Local, not national, blogs were the Key to Webb's candidacy.  The Democratic Party establishment in Virginia was never in the Webb camp and they did all they could to act as if the nomination was Harris Miller's birthright.  Wes Clark, with his sizable netroots following,  was the first national figure to endorse Webb -- Kerry, Schumer, Reid, etc., climbed on board a month after Clark.  Webb lost rural areas and Richmond to Miller where party activists were among the few who voted.  Webb's margin came in wired Northern Virginia where turnout exceeded 20% in many precincts compared to a pitiful 3.44% turnout statewide.  What little excitement there was in the campaign was on blogs.  Webb raised over $100,000 online in the last 10 days before the primary.  Webb had very, very few large donors but had thousands of "small" donors.  Webb's victory party was a mini-YKos reunion.  Oh yes, and those Netroots champions over at the Washington Post Editorial Board supported Miller.

The mainstream media still stereotypes the Netroots at purist lefties who froth their fingers off whenever any Democratic candidate deviates from political correctness.  That is the DLC line on Ned Lamont.  According to that view, bloggers should have been with Harris Miller who was noticeably to the left of Webb on the traditional Ideological spectrum (except for Webb's strong, early stand against the Iraq war).  Some also think that leftist Netrooters would never support anyone like Webb, who had worked for Ronald Reagan.  Webb was hurt by those who seek to place an unwelcome mat before the door of any lapsed Democrat who wants to return to the party.  The reality was and is the opposite.  The Netroots were united behind Jim Webb.  Virtually everyone concedes that there is no way Jim Webb could have won (despite being outspent about 2.5 to one) without the Netroots.  Come fall let's tout three future victims of the Netroots, Joe Lieberman, Conrad Burns and George Allen.


Comments



Thanks Howard - good analysis (Rob - 6/14/2006 12:15:17 PM)
If you'd like to recommend this diary on Kos and MyDD, click the links and pop the recommend buttons.


The mainstream media and netroots (Rebecca - 6/14/2006 1:12:07 PM)
I'm ready to blast the Post on their article on the Webb victory today. Look for my commentary by Friday at:

http://www.dfa-fairfax.com

The Post treats the netroots like they don't exist. Its truly bizarre. Its evident that the mainstream media has no idea what's going on on the ground in this country. They are sounding REALLY dumb.



"The Post treats the netroots like they don't exist." (Lowell - 6/14/2006 4:47:20 PM)
Perhaps they see us as competition and feel a bit threatened?


Great Analysis (hcc in va - 6/14/2006 3:53:37 PM)
Howard, that is an excellent analysis of the real and critical role that the netroots played in Jim Webb's election and in those to come.  I wonder how long it will take for the MSM and others to finally wake up, understand, and acknowledge our role.  It is now clear that, especially but not exclusively, in typically low-turnout elections such as primaries, those that blog will overwhelmingly have the focus and motivation to turn those typing fingers into feet that walk to the polling booth, and those feet made the difference yesterday, and will more so in the future.
And by the way - great seeing you at the Reunion!