In the past few election cycles, bloggers have had an impact. It is not clear that they have moved voters in significant ways that have won elections, but they have moved candidates. Though the number of people who actually take the time to read blogs devoted to politics is relatively small — when compared with the population of likely voters — politicians, political operatives and journalists have come to accept what is written in the blogosphere as a kind of virtual focus group.
The conventional wisdom that decides who is up and who is down begins to form on the often messy e-pages of political blogs.
In 2006, the Democratic candidates for governor heavily courted the Connecticut blogerati, and Ned Lamont defeated Joe Lieberman for the Democratic senate nomination with the help of what is now called the netroots (described as political activism organized through blogs). Even today, you will find an occasional posting in the world of Connecticut’s political bloggers pining for the heady days of the Lamont campaign.
There are anniversaries marking Ned’s first speech, his first blog posting, his first campaign commercial, his primary win and his ultimate defeat in the general election to the mainstream Lieberman. While some Connecticut bloggers are stuck in the past, at least two Connecticut politicians are using blogworld to keep their options open.
Online Voice
Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy, and Ned Lamont himself, have turned their former campaign sites into blog sites allowing them to have a continuing voice in state and national politics. Done well, it’s a great tool to maintain a relevant voice in the public policy debate and stay top of mind with political reporters and opinion writers.
This new ratchet in the political tool set allows potential candidates to make news and have in depth conversations with potential supporters. It’s the kind of conversation that can woo converts over an extended period of time. It allows someone like Malloy or Lamont to communicate with their loyalists during a period of exile.
Malloy and Lamont are not alone in courting the blogosphere. Freshman Congressman Chris Murphy and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele regularly make themselves available to Connecticut blog leadership. Chris Dodd is a favorite, because of his decision to back Lamont in 2006. New Haven Mayor John DeStefano makes excellent use of his Web site and a few local candidates have tried to use their own blogs to convince voters one by one to support their agenda.
Malloy however is the politician/blogger to watch. He is seen as a policy wonk which gives his blog added credibility. He is also viewed as the guy who should have gotten the party’s nomination in 2006. He is seen as a good Democrat who, having lost, did not get in the way or try to sabotage DeStefano’s campaign against Gov. M. Jodi Rell. Unlike many losers in the statewide election game, he is not seen as someone undeserving of another chance.
Malloy bills his blogsite as “a forum discussing progressive solutions for Connecticut’s future.” He uses it to praise the party establishment, rally the foot soldiers and occasionally play the leader of the loyal opposition. It gives you the sense his 2006 campaign for governor is not over, but in strategic retreat, and that he sees himself as a progressive solution for Connecticut.
Dean Pagani is a former gubernatorial advisor. He is V.P. of Public Affairs for Cashman and Katz Integrated Communications in Glastonbury.
