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Winning Bloggers And Influencing 'The People'

My analysis last week that Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas Zuniga could change the dynamics of the presidential race by formally endorsing a Democrat in the primary has stirred some debate.

My entry was only marginally about the kingmaking potential of Kos. I mentioned his influence in the Democratic Party only to buttress my argument that endorsements by branded bloggers carry much more weight in these new media days than the tired and utterly predictable endorsements by anonymous newspaper editorial boards.

But my passing reference to Kos became the focus when Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo quoted it at the start of an interview with the man himself.

Conn Carroll, a National Journal colleague who walks in the same blog circles as me for The Hotline's Blogometer, disagreed with my analysis. He argued that Kos has all but endorsed Barack Obama (though Kos picked Christopher Dodd as "the go-to guy" over Obama yesterday) and that Daily Kos readers are "a pretty non-comformist bunch" anyway.

The latter point certainly is true. As I said this summer in a debate about the "Politics 2.0" package in Mother Jones, "There is no Boss Tweed of the blogosphere, and I don't think there ever will be." Kos' readers do and will make their own decisions about which Democratic presidential contender to support.

But that doesn't mean an endorsement from Kos couldn't change the dynamics of the race. His opinions do matter to his readers, including other prominent liberal bloggers, and those who are undecided voters in the presidential contest could well be swayed by Kos' views.

What's more, Kos has shown time and time again how effectively he can financially rally his readers behind anointed candidates. Money can change the dynamics of any political race, and if Kos all of a sudden started promoting contributions to Obama or Dodd, they could expect an online rush of funds.

The cash might not help either one of them win the Democratic nomination -- remember, Kos picked Howard Dean in 2004 and he washed out quickly -- but it could make them more competitive in a key early state. And if they scored higher than expected in, or even won, such a contest, big donors and big media might wake up to the potential of Kos' favorite son.

Blogs have the same kind of trickle up effect in politics as they do in journalism, and branded bloggers like Kos are the ones at the base of the long tail of politics. Politicians who win them as friends will have a better chance of influencing "the people."

UPDATE: As if to prove my point, Kos mentions Dodd as the go-to guy, and suddenly Dodd mania begins.

Posted by Danny | 11:37 AM

Comments

A dedicated group of individuals have made a pledge to save democracy by cutting through confusing rhetoric and 30 second sound bits. Project Vote Smart simply asks for unfettered information from the presidential candidates through the Political Courage Test, which is then posted on their website, votesmart.org. All the candidates are required to do is give their positions on the issues that affect the lives of the American public. We should write not only on this blog, but on all of the presidential candidates blogs encouraging them to share their vision of America in a simple, coherent way.

Hans Geitman | 10.22.07 11:29 AM

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