Rise of the 'Netroots': Lieberman Upset Hints at Impact of Online Activists

Yes, the netroots have had an impact, but only because others agree with what we say, not because we have some sort of magical power over voters.

Ours is a grass/netroots movement for truth and the re-establishment of Democracy in this country.

Rise of the 'Netroots': Lieberman Upset Hints at Impact of Online Activists:

Ned Lamont's upset victory over incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman in Connecticut's Democratic primary Tuesday is an electoral lesson about the power -- and potential liabilities -- of bloggers and online organizers, a growing liberal political force collectively known as the 'netroots.'

Ned Lamont, addressing supporters in Meriden, Conn., says he will push for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. Reuters photo by Mike Segar

From the initial support of Lamont by influential bloggers like Markos Moulitsas of the Daily Kos to the cash and volunteers supplied by the online progressive hub MoveOn.org to the 11th-hour accusations on Tuesday that vandals had hacked into Lieberman's campaign Web site, the netroots have been a driving force in the campaign.
The netroots pushed voters to challenge Lieberman's support for the Iraq war and raised the national profile of Lamont, a previously unknown candidate.

While some observers say the election's outcome should be seen as a milestone for how the new media is reshaping politics, few suggest that online liberal activists were entirely responsible for Lamont's victory. Rather, the netroots amplified the political debate already rumbling in liberal Connecticut: Lieberman was a vulnerable incumbent with ties to an unpopular war in Iraq and to President Bush; Lamont is a multimillionaire cable television executive with an anti-war stance and next to no political record other than serving on local boards.