BlogPAC launches "From Blue to Bluer"

by: Bouldin

Wed Mar 26, 2008 at 00:06:24 AM EDT

First, some backstory. There's probably not a single soul in Progressive blogdom who has not at some point railed bitterly about Democrats. Weak-kneed, spineless, ineffectual Democrats who fail to stand up and do the right thing for their constituents, their party, and so on. These Democrats are one of two reasons there is even such a thing as a Progressive movement (the other, of course, is the republican party in its full murderous and corrupt incompetence).

The interests of the netroots and the party have often aligned closely, whenever the goal was simply the election of more Democrats. They often diverge when the goal is the election of better Democrats. When the goal is Red to Blue, we all tend to be on the same page.

It's time to expand that goals horizon, and get us some better Democrats. BlogPAC is launching From Blue to Bluer, a program designed to bring national attention and resources to bear on state-level Democratic primaries.

From Blue to Bluer seeks to first identify, and then help elect, progressive, grassroots candidates who are running in competitive Democratic primaries in blue districts around the country. The primaries can either be for open seats or against incumbents who are either too conservative for their districts, or who are simply corrupt, or both. The goal is to find a handful of proudly progressive primary candidates for local and state legislative races, and then provide them with the national support they need to help put them over the top. Through this program, we can show Democrats across the country that that a fifty-state strategy means blue districts too, and that all Democrats, no matter how local, can be held accountable for not representing their districts or for selling out progressive ideals.

If there was ever a state this program was made for, it's New York. Leave your suggestions (I've already made mine, privately, to Bowers, as has Phil Anderson) in the comments: which primary challenger in New York deserves help against an entrenched incumbent? Or drop BlogPAC a line here.

I can't stress enough what an awesome opportunity this is for Progressive Democratic challengers across the country. And I'd love - love! - to see one of the Blue to Bluer designees being here in New York.  

New York State Blog roundup

by: Bouldin

Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 08:27:09 AM EDT

Welcome to the inaugural edition of the New York State Progressive Blog Roundup. Every week, we'll be featuring news stories and highlights from blue bloggers across the state. Simple idea: it's one state, and people should know what's going on in other parts of it.

Progressive blogs who'd like to join this network should send an email to NYPBN – at – googlegroups – dot – com. And now, your roundup.

The Daily Gotham checks out Wikiscanner and finds some possibly, or probably, self-interested Wikipedia editing by the New York City Council.

A classic on The Albany Project: check out this diary about the Telecommunications Reform Act of 2007, also known as the Brodsky Bill. This legislation will

[require] the buildout of high speed broadband infrastructure to a minimum of 85% of the state, something desperately needed by under-served and economically depressed communities upstate. It would also protect net neutrality, bring cheaper cable and telephone rates through increased competition and allow New York to once again be a progressive, innovative model for other states to follow.

Rochester Turning takes a closer look at a fundamentalist church in Pittsford, and finds some disturbing messages spread, as ever, by an incompetent press.

Danger Democrat casts a baleful glance at John McHugh and some rather curious earmarks; flip-flopper McHugh was for these earmarks – he inserted them in an appropriations bill – before being against them – which he did when he voted against said bill.

DragonFlyEye has a very well-designed reader survey, well worth taking not just to help a brother out, but for other bloggers who might gain from doing such a thing themselves.

OnNYTurf provides a sneak peek at the upgrade of possibly the most useful feature of any New York City blog, its searchable Google/Subway map mashup.

NYCO draws some wider inferences from shenanigans involving a billboard and, needless to say, state funds, at the New York State fair in Syracuse.

Challenges ahead for New York Progressive Movement

by: Bouldin

Sun May 06, 2007 at 11:17:30 AM EDT

In terms of common electoral and policy goals, I would identify several.

On the Federal electoral level, obviously, there is the Presidential contest. The conventional wisdom has it that Hillary will carry New York easily; I'll believe that when the other candidates cede this state, and when I see a primary poll that has the Senator above 50%. Also on the Federal level, there are three Congressional seats well worth targeting: NY-03 (Peter King), NY-13 (Vito "Independent" Fossella), NY-29 (Randy "Shotgun" Kuhl).

In the Twenty ninth, we're seeing a primary challenge to the 2006 candidate, Eric Massa, one that is causing considerable consternation in some quarters. The liberation of Congress last November enfeebled the principal enablers of the Bush administration; now, the agenda is one of rebuilding and fighting the inevitable depredations of an administration heading for the exits as its legacy burns all around it.

(Cross-posted from the new, snazzy, gorgeously redone Daily Gotham)