Yearly Kos convention; count them in, or out?

This weekend, the Yearly Kos held a convention in Las Vegas which did not go unnoticed by Democratic politicians.Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean , Senate Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), and several politicians gearing up to run against Hillary for the 2008 election; former Virginia governor Mark R. Warner, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark

" all hope they can generate support among an activist constituency that has already expressed its hostility toward Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) as a cautious and consummate insider"

The Washington Post article reminded us of the "potential" and the "limitations" of the net;

"I think it's evolving," he said of the net-roots community. "I think these guys and gals are potentially creating a new public square for democracy. And they are an unorganized, unorthodox jumble. What started as occasional voices venting is now turning into what could be a major force in American politics."

From a standing start, this community first demonstrated its power by supporting Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign, helping him raise tens of millions of dollars and propelling him into front-runner status for the Democratic nomination until his candidacy imploded.

That experience showed the promise and the limitations of the net-based political movement. As the bloggers gathered here, many of the same questions remained unanswered about what is now a larger and more assertive voice in American politics.

My friend Mash (Docstrangelove) predicts that bloggers will become a force. I also think that it will be one that will not only be listened to, but will provide an alternative communication source for the general public who wants to know more. Communication going both ways where people do ask the hard questions, bloggers and readers alike.

I do not think that catering to either party will really happen via blogger 'courting'. I do believe that the more and more bloggers read, think, comment (their own opinion-eds), that they will see how both parties are beholden to special interests. I think one should follow the money. The blogosphere is a start, but the majority of voters who are needed to effect a change, and a true change of heart in terms of immoral issues and 'control' issues (gay marriage, abortion), whether they are public or private, are still a long ways away.