(Here's a provocative idea about how we might substantially change online organizing. In the wake of the Soapblox meltdown a couple of weeks ago, I had some ideas of my own I'll be writing about this weekend. - promoted by Paul Rosenberg)
Chris and Natasha announced a new project recently in which the netroots would organize to systematically track, influence, push, and block legislation introduced into the new Congress this year. Their larger motivation for this project, at least as they communicated it that day, was that they were tired of being in a reactive position, constantly fighting against bad Republican or Bush Dog legislation, against anti-progressive or just plain wrong media narratives, and against a political system in which the two main centers of gravity are a pro-elite "center" and a reactionary Right. They expressed a desire to act proactively, with initiative, pushing for positive progressive change.
Even more recently Matt announced that he is leaving the blogosphere for a job in the House. The centerpiece of his announcement was a problem he called the "rootsgap": a disconnect between what activists want and want to help deliver, and what the party representing them believes is possible and cares to achieve. He argued that much recent political history can be explained by the fact that conservative activists took control of their party in the 70s, while progressive activists have had very little control over their party since then. Thus we have one right-wing party, and one mainstream party, with progressives trying to influence what the mainstream party does.
Both these moves share in common the realization that a progressive force is missing on the national stage....
