For those of you who don't recall, Jon Henke was George Allen's netroots coordinator in the fall of 2006. In other words, Jon was my counterpart, although I didn't really know him then (I admired his writing and he seemed to be a good guy, but I had never met him). Now, I consider Jon to be my friend; in fact, it looks like we're going to be writing a book together(stay tuned for more on that front).
In the meantime, I'm busy promoting my current book, "Netroots Rising: How a Citizen Army of Bloggers and Online Activists is Changing American Politics." Over the past week or so, I've been publishing the interviews I conducted in 2007 with a variety of people. Today, it's Jon Henke's turn, and I strongly recommend it. Jon's one of the smartest people I know. No question, he really understands the "new media" and the netroots. I am very grateful that Jon agreed to participate in this book project, as his insights were (and continue to be) extremely valuable. Anyway, check out what Jon has to say and leave your thoughts in the comment section here or at the Netroots Rising blog. Thanks.
However nothing is as precise ... as his analysis (or Steve Jardings as well) would suggest... when it comes to the passion of people bearing down on a problem or a cause.
In this case (the Webb campaign) the better angels of first a few ... and then many more folks came to the forefront to FIGHT for high ideals. It wasn't some simmering pent up frustration that propelled Jim Webb to the Senate .... it was a fight for what is right ... and a belief in the ideals that Jim Webb has exemplified throughout his entire life (re-read The Nightengale's Song).
The Draft James Webb group .... the gathering of Webb-heads along the way all answered a call that Jim Webb was a vessel to. It would be short sighted and small to lessen the idealism and romanticism that pushed people on to do what they could in the face of losing big. For me it had to done .... and I think that propelled most, early on .... and then throughout the campaign. It just had to be done and the blogo-sphere created a common ground on which to meet ... and more importantly to commit to the cause.
Jim Webb did his part ... and continues to make me proud. Lowell and Josh's Netroots here at RK are simply in the same league.