That said, the Sam Adams alliance seems to have put together a pretty impressive set of seminars, especially for novice bloggers. Their goal is to counter the substantial web presence of groups like moveon.org on the political left and try to build up a grassroots network of bloggers in what they are calling the 'liberty community' to get out a more positive right-wing message. What they are doing is very much like what is being attempted by Netroots Nation on the left, educating bloggers and trying to get them on the same page to promote certain core issues. Today, the issue which seems to be the head of the hammer is the connection between Obama and ACORN and other far-left extremist groups, and it's a message which does seem to be getting pretty well disseminated through the right side of the blogosphere.
I attended one of the Sam Adams Alliance seminars this morning, where E. M. Zanotti did a pretty good job of laying out why the left blogosphere has become so powerful and how bloggers on the right can try to counter some of that and organize to achieve some of the same success. It was well attended and her presentation was effective. It created a more positive impression than I've previously had of the SAA, which is a pretty new organization and is still going through a kind of shake-down period that any movement organization is going to go through. When I encountered them in Texas earlier this year, they seemed kind of at sea, but I mainly talked with a couple of their interns who were pretty clueless about the organization they were working for. Zanotti is one of the two salaried employees of the SAA and she seems considerably better informed and pulled together.
Article comments
1 - Baronius
"they haven't really got much of an idea what to do to really make good use of those bloggers they've rounded up"
What would you suggest?
I'm not there; I'm just curious. What do you think right-wing bloggers should be doing? What are the benefits of organization (if that's the right word) on the internet? It sounds like if you've got answers, you should be shouting them down the hallway as well as posting them online.
2 - Joanne Huspek
I can't wait to see you clubbing that story in the head.
3 - Dave Nalle
I've discussed this a bit with the AFP folks and they're getting things together. I'm going to be following this article with some articles with significant video content which will be posted later tonight and tomorrow.
They do have an idea what they should be doing, they just seem stretched a little thin today. Tomorrow may be a lot better.
There's some value just to being in a room with other bloggers. A lot of good information gets exchanged.
Dave
4 - Baronius
Well, have fun, son, but remember that this isn't a vacation, it's a field trip. We expect a report. :)
5 - Dave Nalle
Indeed, far from a vacation. Look for several reports, starting tonight if I can get them wrapped up.
Dave