A couple of things additional to add. I think it was more than bloggers making a difference in N Virginia. We have well organized GOTV operations. Election day operations under Ray Anderson were quite effective. And I think we need to give some credit to the endorsement by Nick Benton in the FC News-Press -- Nick not only runs the paper, but is hugely active in the community, so his endorsement carries a fair amount of weight.
I think bloogers can take credit for getting Jim into the race. But that would not have been enough.
And while I want to see better use of volunteers in the general, I also don't want to see too much central direction. Yes, it would be nice to avoid mistakes usch as Mudcat's cartoon, but that was NOT done by a volunteer!! Also, when volunteers are acting independently their expenditures do not count as in-kind contributions that must be reported.
If this campaign is going to be successful, it CANNOT be a traditional general election campaign. If we attempt that either we will put Jim in box that will rob him of his authenticity or we will shut out the grass roots enthusiasm that is the real key to winning this race. Call it viral marketing, but that is how we will overcome the huge advantage Allen will have in $$$.
And I hope someone in hdqtrs is paying attention to what gets posted here and on other VA blogs.