50 State Blog Network and local blogging
The explosion of local blogging was one of the great developments in the progressive movement during 2006. Entering 2007, we want to make certain that there is at least one community blog in every state, they are connected to each other, and that these state-based communities are integrated with the national-focused blogs. This will accelerate the development of local progressive media, assist with important electoral developments such as the fifty-state strategy, as well as increase both the political efficacy and social connections of local progressive activists around the nation. Importantly, we can do this for a small amount of money, $10 from 1,000 activists.
Washblog is the community blog carved out for Washington State. Spreading the idea of truly community based blogs, where a dialogue springs up within a blogsite, can be a very powerful thing. No wonder the power Daily Kos has had in the past four years, and that candidates like Sherrod Brown in Ohio (with the former Grow Ohio site) and Bill Richardson in New Mexico (with the Plaza), but to have every state have at least one community based blog would be a very powerful thing.
At the very least, the ownership that people feel in terms of the quality of the debate is something that is brought out by community blogs. Folks don't just drop by to read what someone else wrote and maybe drop a comment once in awhile, but their contributions in diaries and comments literally make these sites happen.
Plus, the local aspect that is being promoted by the 50 State Blog Network with a community blog in every state (some of these states, like Washington, really should have more than one) reall puts the focus on community. We're all progressives in a finite area. What we write about and discuss can have real impact in our state.
Please consider donating to the effort. BlogPac to support the network. Chris writes a bit more about what they're all about:
Progressive movement activists have an abundance of good ideas, but often lack the funding to make these ideas a reality. To remedy this situation, over the past eight months, BlogPac's mission has been to provide essential resources to smart and inexpensive (though still underfunded) projects that forward the progressive movement. In keeping with this mission, we have supported organizations such as Yearly Kos, Drinking Liberally, Blue Jersey, and Blue America PAC. During the election season, we provided resources to important activist campaigns like Do More Than Vote, Use It Or Lose It, and Googlebomb the Elections. We also commissioned the first scientific survey of netroots activists, in an attempt to help dispel many of the myths about members of our community. Join us in our latest effort to make a 50 state blog network a reality.
The 50 state blog network is exactly the sort of project that BlogPac is proud to help get off the ground. With just a little bit of funding, we believe that small ideas from smart activists can take the progressive movement a long way. As such, feel free at any time to send us your ideas on new progressive organizations and campaigns that fit with our mission and do not need a huge amount of money in order to succeed.
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