Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

  • Shop
  • Subscribe to BMG
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Front Page
  • All Posts
  • About
  • Rules
  • Events
  • Register on BMG

Some thoughts on #NN12 wrap up: our role going forward

June 9, 2012 By Ryan

Well, Netroots Nation is over and now I’m waiting for WaterFire here in Providence RI, so I figured I’d offer some comments. Van Jones provided the final keynote address, humorously poking fun at the media that’s been saying the netroots is done and depressed over the Wisconsin loss. What are we going to do, cry over mean tweets from gloating conservatives? He says. Not so much.

He made the case that the netroots and grassroots need a two-tiered strategy going forward: 1. Elect the President. We get nothing without him. 2. Have a plan in place to hold his feet to the fire after the election

It’s something the netroots have been very bad about thus far — organizing after a victory. It lets things like the Tea Party come to be.

It was a common theme all convention; even David was talking about it re:Deval Patrick’s campaing in 06.

The good news is we can kill two birds with one stone in Massachusetts. Elizabeth Warren has made it completely clear that she’s not afraid to tell the President when a plan doesn’t go far enough. She expects more and she demands more.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Senator who, instead of working to undermine and water down legislation before he signs it and claims bipartisan victory, told Harry Reid and the President that they need to actually improve something to get their vote? That’s pretty much the progressive holy grail.

Part of being well organized is having someone on the inside who we can go to and who will listen. It allows us to create more effective strategies from the outside.

Well, that’s what I think.

There were a lot of things going on at Netroots Nation that I’m still mulling over. More blogs to come.

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0
0

Filed Under: User Tagged With: '12, 2012, netroots-nation

Comments

  1. Christopher says

    June 10, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    We also must elect allies to Congress, which includes not being afraid to primary incumbents as Lord knows the Tea Party has no such reservations when in comes to Republicans. We must also inundate Congress with communications insisting that they support the President as legislation comes up. Probably my biggest frustration with both our Governor and President post-election is that I rarely got emails saying “Call your delegation now and tell them to support…” That would have been and easy and obvious way to keep the grassroots engaged.

    • oceandreams says

      June 10, 2012 at 8:47 pm

      I understand the frustration of Democrats who won’t support progressive legislation, but I do think you have to be careful about primarying a Democratic incumbent. It may feel good, but it’s a risky strategy, since incumbents are difficult to defeat and you don’t always get a better Democrat in office. You can weaken the incumbent and lose the seat altogether, or you can burn bridges and push the candidate toward even more big money and away from your positions. Better IMO to come up with great candidates to challenge incumbent Republicans, as we’ve got with Elizabeth Warren.

      • Jasiu says

        June 12, 2012 at 7:22 am

        The Tea Party has already shown the power of just a threat of a primary. Republicans know that anyone can become a target and therefore have to at minimum pay lip-service to this faction. Used wisely, the primary challenge can be a useful tool in the progressive toolbox.

Recommended Posts

  • No posts liked yet.

Recent User Posts

Predictions Open Thread

December 22, 2022 By jconway

This is why I love Joe Biden

December 21, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Garland’s Word

December 19, 2022 By terrymcginty

Some Parting Thoughts

December 19, 2022 By jconway

Beware the latest grift

December 16, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Thank you, Blue Mass Group!

December 15, 2022 By methuenprogressive

Recent Comments

  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftSo where to, then??
  • Christopher on Some Parting ThoughtsI've enjoyed our discussions as well (but we have yet to…
  • Christopher on Beware the latest griftI can't imagine anyone of our ilk not already on Twitter…
  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftI will miss this site. Where are people going? Twitter?…
  • chrismatth on A valedictoryI joined BMG late - 13 years ago next month and three da…
  • SomervilleTom on Geopolitics of FusionEVERY un-designed, un-built, and un-tested technology is…
  • Charley on the MTA on A valedictoryThat’s a great idea, and I’ll be there on Sunday. It’s a…

Archive

@bluemassgroup on Twitter

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.

From our sponsors




Google Calendar







Search

Archives

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter




Copyright © 2025 Owned and operated by BMG Media Empire LLC. Read the terms of use. Some rights reserved.