Elizabeth Warren Wins

NBC declares Elizabeth Warren the next junior Senator of Massachusetts. Many people thought that Warren never had a chance with this race. Warren is the netroots biggest victory. Markos Moulitsas made electing Warren a top priority.

Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas explained that of all the House and Senate elections this year, her race was the number one priority among progressives.

“Nobody else even comes close,” he said. “We put her up with [Sens.] Franken, Merkley, Boxer, Brown, the two Vermont senators – the solid core of progressives.”

Warren raised $6,521,723 on Actblue. That is a staggering number.

Occupy Tampa Included in Library of Congress

This is very cool news.

Humbled that http://www.OccupyTampa.org was selected by Library of Congress for inclusion in the historic collection of Internet materials

In related news: Occupy Tampa is asking people to stay this Saturday Night. You should bring sleeping bags, flashlights and food. Occupy Tampa needs people to relieve volunteers. Contact the Facebook page for more information.

Pink Slip Rick Scott

The people behind Pink Slip Rick Scott will be speaking to the media.

On Friday July 1st, Pink Slip Rick will be speaking at the 2011 Florida Society of Newspapers and Florida Press Association Annual Convention at the Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg.

This also marks the day that many of the job-killing, anti-middle class bills Pink Slip Rick signed will go into effect:

the Job-Killing Budget (SB 2000)
the Government Intrusion in Women's Health Bill (SB 1744)
the Big Insurance Profit Protection Bill (SB 1972)
the Developer Giveaways Bill (SB 2156)
and the De-Fund Public School Bill (SB 1388)

Join us at the Vinoy Resort between 12:00 and 3:00 in the afternoon with your placards and t-shirts and let the Governor know what we think about his job performance. We will have extra signs if needed.

The more activists the better impression it makes on the media.

Time: Friday, July 1 · 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Location: Renaissance Vinoy Hotel
501 5th Avenue NE
Saint Petersburg, FL

Thought of the Day

When Jane Hamsher and other progressives complain health care reform was too tailored towards the health care industry the Obama administration ignored them. When Andrew Breitbart attacked Shirley Sherrod the Obama administration fired her out of fear of angering Glenn Beck. That tells you all you need to know about who President Barack Obama believes is his base.

The Cheney PR Campaign For Waterboarding

This is a jaw dropping exchange between Anderson Cooper and former White House Press Sec. Ari Fleischer.

COOPER: Ari, was President Bush lying when he said, we do not torture?

FLEISCHER: No, I don't think he was lying.

COOPER: Was he telling the truth?

FLEISCHER: Yes. I think that it depends, again, on things that none of us were privy to, that none of us saw, that none of us know.

COOPER: If what they did was -- was right and -- and correct and legal, why did they destroy the evidence? Why did they destroy the videotapes?

(CROSSTALK)

COOPER: They destroyed the videotapes of two people being tortured, water-boarded, more than 100 times.

FLEISCHER: I think that's a fair question. And I think the CIA destroys a lot of things. They -- they typically like to destroy as much things as they can. That's a matter of procedure at the CIA, not only on this, but on a host of...

(CROSSTALK)

COOPER: Porter Goss, I think, head of the CIA, specifically did not want those tapes destroyed. And, yet, they were.

FLEISCHER: Well, and that's why I said I think that's a fair question. I think it's a matter of CIA routine procedure to destroy a lot of things. And, sometimes, they go too far, get themselves in trouble for it.

People can draw their own conclusions on why the C.I.A. destroyed 92 videotapes. If a drug gang or mafia destroyed evidence prosecuters would use that information to charge the leaders of criminal conspiracy. The cover up is what got the Watergate Seven and Lewis "Scooter" Libby convicted. The destruction of the videotapes hurt the Bush administration.

I'm not sure the Bush people should publicly defend waterboarding and say President Barack Obama is endangering America. Obama didn't have the stomach to prosecute. Dick Cheney and other former Bush officials attacked Obama on on the cable talk shows. Moveon.org, Firedoglake and Daily Kos pressured Obama to prosecute. Obama slightly retracted his earlier position of no prosecution of Bush officials.

Cheney badly miscalculated against Obama. Cheney will lose if he fights Obama in the political arena. The same way Hillary Clinton and John McCain lost. George W. Bush had enough sense to maintain a low profile. Cheney is a Vice-President so unpopular that he was not invited to the Republican Nation Convention. Democrats maintain control of both houses of Congress. Cheney has no political collateral. His surrogates Ari Fleischer and Michael Hayden have less. The smart move for Cheney would have been to keep his mouth shut and work a backroom deal with the Justice Department. Cheney isn't that smart.

Obama can turn the heat on Bush administration officials involved with torture and take the economy on the front page. Republicans will play defense for a highly unpopular President and Vice-President. The GOP is tanking in the polls and fighting amongst the moderates and red meat conservatives. Prosecuting the John Yoo isn't going to hurt Obama's approval ratings. If Republicans want to run on waterboarding in 2010 and 2012 the Democrats will win. Guaranteed.

Side note: if Cheney wasn't part of the waterboarding policy then why he is acting so frantic.

BLITZER: And if necessary, would you authorize it again?

CHENEY: Well, I'm not in the chain of command, but if necessary, I would certainly recommend it again.

Obama & Dean Using Netroots

President Barack Obama is using is vast netroots coalition to mobilize support for his budget. Obama is asking supporters to call Congress and to canvass your neighborhood.



Howard Dean founded Democracy for America. The PAC changed the way political campaigns are run. Dean is using DFA to drum up support for Obama's health care plan.

DFA has a petition to voice support for universal health care.

Florida Progressive Coalition Meets Netroots Nation

Alison Morano interviews Netroots Nation's Gina Cooper about Turn Texas Blue and online activism.

Listen to the podcast.

Why the Netroots Shouldn't Defend Obama's FISA Vote

"I am proud to stand with Senator Dodd, Senator Feingold and a grassroots movement of Americans who are refusing to let President Bush put protections for special interests ahead of our security and our liberty. There is no reason why telephone companies should be given blanket immunity to cover violations of the rights of the American people - we must reaffirm that no one in this country is above the law."

Barack Obama, promising on February 12, 2008 not to give immunity to telecommunication companies that paticipated in warrantless wiretapping. Obama voted this month to give telecom companies retroactive immunity from lawsuits. A true profile in courage.

David Sirota wrote about how Obama willingly using the progressive movement to promote his candidacy and ignores the netroots policy concerns.

However, what Obama has also done is taken over key pieces of outside progressive infrastructure and ignored other pieces. Moveon.org, for instance, spends much of its time echoing Obama's message and attacking John McCain rather than using the election as an instrument of leverage to exert pressure on both Obama and McCain on major issues. In other words, Obama has effectively taken over Moveon - or at least its strategic focus. As evidenced by his FISA vote, Obama is also ignoring the Netroots.

I'm not a fan of MoveOn, but Sirota point is something that I have been thinking about for a while. Presidents come and go. The policies they make are matters we have to deal with for generations. Sirota told NPR that progressives using Obama's own website to try to make the Senator change his vote is hope that the Netroots is waking up.

There are progressives willing to ignore Obama's disregard for civil liberties. Kenneth Quinnell talked about how progressives should not call Obama a flip flopper. Quinnell went as far to say that Obama's FISA position has been consistent. Obama's office said the Senator "unequivocally opposes" immunity and "To be clear: Barack will support a filibuster of any bill that includes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies." Quinnell's podcast is as laughable as Glenn Reynolds' posts about how well Bush has run the Iraq war.

I didn't get into blogging to become an unofficial campaign staffer for Barack Obama. I won't use the excuse that he is better than John McCain. I will freely disagree with Obama or any other candidate.

A Ford Pinto will get a person from point A to B faster than walking. That doesn't mean the Pinto suddenly became a great car. Just because Obama isn't John McCain doesn't mean he didn't flip flop on FISA. Citizens should question candidates positions on policy. Not worship them as if they were royalty.

Netroots Nation Scholarship Winners

Democracy For America has announced the winners of the Netroots Nation Scholarships. Kenneth Quinnell is one of the winners.

Florida Netroots Awards Announced

The winners of the Florida Netroots awards have been announced. Congratulations to the winners.

Nominations Now Open for Florida Netroots Awards

Kenneth Quinnel sent out an email that nominations for the Florida Netroots Awards are now open. Kenneth explains the rules and the categories. Email your votes to quinnelk@hotmail.com.

We are now accepting nominations for the 2008 Netroots Awards, sponsored by the Florida Democratic Party Netroots Coalition. The purpose of our second annual awards is to recognize the best and brightest of the progressive/liberal/Democratic Netroots and blogs. Between now and Sunday, May 25, please nominate your favorites in the categories below. You can nominate one person in one category or multiple people in every category, that's up to you. In the end, we will narrow the lists down to the top people in each category and offer a final voting period to determine the winners. The final winners will be announced at the Netroots Conference at the Florida Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Weekend in Hollywood on June 14 (and then announced online). Before voting, please observe the following rules:

1. No one can win the same award two years in a row. Last year's winners will be excluded from the category they won last year.
2. The nominees in each category must be based in Florida and they shouldn't be Republicans.
3. Anyone can nominate anyone (you can nominate yourself) and you don't have to be a Floridian to nominate anyone.

If you have questions, send me and e-mail at quinnelk@hotmail.com. Here are the categories (with a brief description and last year's winner, who, again, is ineligible to win this year):

1. Best National Blog (Last year: Blast Off!): Blogs written by Floridians that covers primarily national politics.

2. Best State Blog (Last year: FLA Politics): Blogs about statewide politics in Florida.

3. Best Local Blog (Last year: Tampa Bay Blue): Blogs about city/county/regional politics in the state of Florida.

4. Best Media Blog (Last year: The Buzz): Blogs written by professional journalists at Florida publications.

5. Best Professional Blog (Last year: Miami-Dade Dems): Blogs written by state or local political parties, candidates or party operatives in Florida.

6. Best Party Website (Last year: Draft Katherine Harris): Best Florida-wide website associated with a political party or political party unit (such as a caucus or coalition).

7. Best Candidate Website (Last year: Chris Chiari): Anyone running for statewide or local office in Florida can win this one.

8. Best Local Party Website (Last year: Nassau Democratic Party): This one is for Florida DECs, clubs or local chapters of statewide caucuses or coalitions.

9. Best Interest Group Website (Amateur) (Last year: Space Coast Progressive Alliance): Any Florida-based nonparty activist, charitable or grassroots group with an annual budget under $100,000 is eligible for this one.

10. Best Interest Group Website (Professional) (Last year: New category): Any Florida-based nonparty activist, charitable or grassroots group with an annual budget over $100,000 is eligible for this one.

11. Best Writer (Last year: Litbrit): Anyone whose writings is published at any of the above websites is eligible for this one. Winners should have one or more of the following qualities: good grammar and presentation, provides original reporting, has a good sense of humor, shows creativity, has a strong personal touch, or has an affect on the real world because of their writing

12. Netroots Candidate of the Year (Last year: Michael Calderin): The Florida candidate at any level who has best incorporated the Netroots into her/his campaign and done the best job of treating Netroots activists as valid constituents and not just another group of people to exploit.

13. Netroots Activist of the Year (Last year: Susan Smith): The individual who has done the most to advance the goals and activities of the progressive Netroots in the state of Florida.

14. Netroots Organization of the Year (Last year: Florida Progressive Coalition): The organization that has done the most to advance the goals and activities of the progressive Netroots in the state of Florida.

15. Best New Blogger (Last year: New category): This one should go to the best blogger who has been blogging about Florida politics for no more than a year and a half.

16. Best Online Campaign (Last year: New category): This is an award for the best use of the web and related technologies to achieve some kind of goal, such as fundraising, fighting legislation or other activism.

17. Best Post (Last year: New Category): The best-written post since last year's awards.

18. Best Ongoing Series (Last year: New Category): The best regular feature that incorporates at least five posts since last year's awards.

19. Best Grassroots Website (Last year: New Category): The best website devoted to supporting a candidate, organization or issue that is created by amateur supporters for little to no money and without official connection to a party, candidate or interest group (at least initially).

20. Florida Progressive Coalition Progressive Hall of Fame (Last year: New Category): FPC is sponsoring a virtual "Progressive Hall of Fame" that should be awarded as sort of a lifetime achievement award to a person or organization (amateur or professional) that has made a significant contribution towards making Florida a bluer, more progressive state. This award may have more than one recipient.

Lee Nelson Fundraiser

Donald and Rosalind Moffett will host a fundraiser for Hillsborough County Elections Supervisor candidate Lee Nelson.

Time and Place Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008
Time: 6:30pm - 10:00pm
Location: The Moffett Home
Street: 1714 Abbey Trace Dr.
City/Town: Dover, FL

You can get contact information on the Facebook page.

Happy 100 Show

Congratulations to Florida Progressive Radio for their 100 show.

Pushing Rope Not Member of FNC

I was asked by the media if Pushing Rope is a member of the Florida Netroots Coalition. The answer is no. The blog isn't even on the FNC blogroll. Gene Smith officially announced that the FNC is an official Florida Democratic Party club.

On Sunday, October 28, 2007, the Florida Democratic Party Central Committee approved the recommendation of the Committee on Clubs, Caucuses and Organizations to grant approval to the charter application of the Florida Democratic Party Netroots Coalition.

Only two Pushing Rope members live in Florida. The others have no dealings with the Florida netroots. Litbrit and I are not members of the FNC. I do wish the FNC luck and congratulate them on their new status.

Update: Kenneth Quinnell informed me that the Florida Netroots blog is not affiliated with the Florida Netroots Coalition.

Litbrit Wins Best Writer

One of the things I wanted to do, when Litbrit came on to Pushing Rope, was make people in the Tampa and Florida blogosphere more aware of her writing. She was known nationally for writing on Shakesville and Ezra Klein. She received no attention in the Tampa blogosphere. She isn't even on the Sticks of Fire Tampa area blogroll. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to nominate the Litster when Kenneth Quinnell asked for nominations for the Florida Netroots awards. The rest is history.

Litbrit is the 2007 winner for best writer. Kenneth Quinnel sums up why she deserved to win.

Winner Best Writer: While I’m a little sad I didn’t win this category, I didn’t deserve to, since Litbrit is without a doubt the best writer we have in the Florida blogosphere. I voted for her myself. Now you need to start reading her writing much more frequently.

Writers often need encourage (and sometines large quantities of alcohol) to keep them inspired. Many political bloggers receive little traffic, but continue to write because of their passion for politics and self-expression. Litbrit has both qualities in spades. Pushing Rope is proud to have her as one of our members. We just get grumpy about having to share her with Shakes and Ezra.

In other news: I lost in the best national blogger category. Blast Off won and I wish Sinfonian the best. He was extremely gracious towards me and Mustang Bobby in his victory post.

My consolation is Reuters News running one of my blog posts. That is the first post that has ever been freelanced. The only problem is I never gave Reuters permission to run my entire posts. I did sign with Blogburst. Reuters runs posts from that service.

Today is a great day for the Florida progressive blogosphere.

Last Chance to Vote

Kenneth Quinnell is urging people to vote for the Florida Netroots awards. Today is the last day to vote. Votes must be emailed to Kenneth at quinnelk@hotmail.com. The winners will be announced tomorrow at the Florida Democratic Party convention.

Disclosure: Pushing Rope and Litbrit are nominess.

Official Florida Netroots Nominees

The nominess have been announced for the Florida Netroots awards. The winners will be announced at the FDP convention. Kenneth Quinnell wants to keep the voting secret. You can email for votes at quinnelk@hotmaildotcom.

Thanks to the people that voted for Pushing Rope for national Blog. It's really cool to be in the same catagory as Mustang Bobby. I nominated himed him.

Litbrit is up for best writer. Sunny is also nominated and thanked her readers.

Go visit the websites nominated. There is a few that I haven't seen before and planning to visit. I remember when it was just Florida Politics and Mark Lane. The progressive movement, in Florida, has a huge advantage over the Right in terms of internet presence. The difference is the Left has always been different grassroots factions that are several steps ahead of the party. The Right will stay lockstep to stay on message. Most conservative bloggers don't have experience with grassroots organization. The read Instapundit or Michelle Malkin and run with what those two are ranting about that day.

1. Best National Blog
Blast Off! (http://flprogressive.blogspot.com/)
Bark Bark Woof Woof (http://barkbarkwoofwoof.blogspot.com/)
Pushing Rope (http://pushingrope.blogspot.com/)

2. Best State Blog
FLA Politics (http://www.flapolitics.com/)
Smashed Frog (http://smashedfrog.blogspot.com/)
Florida Progressive Coalition (http://flaprogressives.org)
Florida Netroots (http://floridanetroots.blogspot.com/)
Change in Tallahassee (http://changeintallahassee.blogspot.com/)

3. Best Local Blog
Eye on Miami (http://www.eyeonmiami.blogspot.com/)
Tampa Bay Blue (http://tbdem.blogspot.com/)
GusWatch (http://www.guswatch.blogspot.com/)
Stuck on the Palmetto (http://stuckonthepalmetto.blogspot.com/)
Talk To Me (http://www.floridatoday.com/blogs/talktome/)

4. Best Media Blog
Naked Politics (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/)
The Buzz (http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/)
The Daily Pulp (http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/)

5. Best Professional Blog
Miami-Dade Dems (http://miami-dade-dems.blogspot.com/)
Samm Simpson's Blog (http://sammsimpsonforcongress.com/blog)
Marion County Democratic Party Blog (http://www.mariondems.org/blog)

6. Best Party Website
Draft Katherine Harris (http://www.draftkatherineharris.com)
Florida Democratic Party (http://www.fladems.com)
Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus (http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/)

7. Best Candidate Website
Lee Nelson (http://www.electleenelson.com/)
Chris Chiari (http://www.chiari08.com)
Jack Killingsworth (http://www.jackkillingsworth.com)

8. Best Local Party Website
Nassau Democratic Party (http://www.nassaudems.org)
East Hillsborough Democratic Club (http://www.easthillsboroughdemocrats.org)
Marion County (http://mariondems.org/)

9. Best Interest Group Website
Progressive Democrats of America (http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=FL)
St. Johns Riverkeeper (http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/)
Space Coast Progressive Alliance (http://www.spacecoastprogressivealliance.org/)

10. Best Writer
Sunny (http://smashedfrog.blogspot.com/)
Litbrit (http://litbrit.blogspot.com/)
Kenneth Quinnell (http://flaprogressives.org and http://quinnell.us)

11. Netroots Candidate of the Year
Michael Calderin, Florida House 119
Mary Mulhern, Hillsborough County Commission
Lee Nelson, Hillsborough Supervisor of Elections

12. Netroots Activist of the Year
Jennifer Killingsworth, Florida Netroots and Florida Democratic Party Netroots Coalition
Alison Berke Morano, Pasco DEC, Democratic County Chairs Association and Florida Progressive Coalition
Susan Smith, Democracy for America, Florida Progressive Coalition

13. Netroots Organization of the Year
Florida Progressive Coalition (http://flaprogressives.org)
Progressive Democrats of America (http://pdamerica.org/statecaucus.php?s=FL)
Florida Netroots (http://floridanetroots.blogspot.com/)

Florida Netroots Conference Schedule

Here is the schedule for the Florida Netroots Conference. It will be held at the FDP Convention in Orlando.

October 27

1:00-2:00 Live Florida Progressive Radio Show f. Markos Molitsas Zuniga of Daily Kos (via phone)
2:00-2:30 Intro & Opening Keynote f. Phil Perry & speaker TBA
2:30-3:20 Netroots 101 f. Kenneth Quinnell, Jennifer Killingsworth & Gene Smith
3:30-4:20 Netroots Tools f. Ray Seaman and Brian Franklin
4:30-5:20 Working With the Netroots f. Michael Calderin, Alison Berke Morano and Phil Perry
5:20-5:50 Closing Keynote f. Matt Stoller
5:50-6:00 Netroots Awards
6:00-7:00 Soiree f. Dennis Kucinich (co-sponsored by DFA & PDA)

The Florida Netroots is paying hard cash to make this happen. They are asking for donations. If you don't donate I will post the Afghan Whigs video Miles Iz Dead. This blogger's description of the video should make you cough up the cash.

Although I cannot watch much of The Afghan Whigs 'Miles iz Ded' due to intense fear of hypodermics, this video made me think that all adult life would be a bit like this. As, it happened, I wasn't far off, minus the girl in the chicken suit and the man-turned-into-insect bit, plus some of the gorier stuff.

Give until it hurts.

Florida Netroots Award

Kenneth Quinnell has announced the Florida Netroots awards. He is taking nominations at Daily Kos. Here are the categories.

1. Best National Blog: For blogs written by Floridians that covers primarily national politics.

2. Best State Blog: For blogs about statewide politics in Florida.
Best Local Blog: For blogs about city/county/regional politics in the state of Florida.

3. Best Media Blog: For blogs written by journalists at Florida publications.
Best Professional Blog: For blogs written by state or local political parties, candidates or party operatives in Florida.

4. Best Party Website: Best Florida-wide website associated with a political party or political party unit (such as a caucus or coalition).
Best Candidate Website: Anyone running for statewide or local office in Florida can win this one.

5. Best Local Party Website: This one is for Florida DECs, clubs or local chapters of statewide caucuses or coalitions.

6. Best Interest Group Website: Any Florida-based nonparty activist, charitable or grassroots group is eligible for this one.

7. Best Writer: Anyone whose writings is published at any of the above websites is eligible for this one.

8. Netroots Candidate of the Year: The Florida candidate at any level who has best incorporated the Netroots into her/his campaign and done the best job of treating

9. Netroots activists as valid constituents and not just another group of people to exploit.

10. Netroots Activist of the Year: The individual who has done the most to advance the goals and activities of the progressive Netroots in the state of Florida.

11. Netroots Organization of the Year: The organization that has done the most to advance the goals and activities of the progressive Netroots in the state of Florida.

I'm going to lobby for Litbrit for best writer. Voting for nominees closes Monday.

Bring Matt Stoller to State Convention

The Florida Netroots wants to bring Matt Stoller to the Democratic State Convention. They are attempting to raise $1,500 to pay for expensives. They are also asking for someone to pick the brown M&M's out of Matt's candy jar. It's in his rider. You know how those big blogstars are.