The Revolution is Not Being Televised.

Local bands of party loyalists organized both campaigns and are the bedrock that supports the foundation. But both candidates soared because they had access to an Internet-driven message medium.

Sterling Newberry nails it with this article. This is really one of the best things I've read about what's behind the success of the Lamont campaign (and others). There's not been acknowledgement by the MSM that there's anyone other than internet whackos and conspiracy theorists out here on the Wild Wild Internet, and of course they are missing the point completely.

Stirling addresses the fact that this is about "insiders" who understand the system with all it's faults, working with the netroots. These folks are smart, politically saavy, AND understand that grassroots efforts and social networking are where it's at. It's a very good article, and he makes some great points that most articles I've read about the netroots have omitted. Somestimes they're too busy marginalizing Net activists to report the facts of the matter.

The new politics then is not the Internet, nor a "grass roots" revolt, but the merging of two classes of active people: one group of people who have bonds deep within their community, who have worked endless hours for their school committee, and been representatives and delegates to party conventions and national organizations, and the other, people who live in a virtual city, grasping and weaving through the gossamer strands of virtual connections, and turning them into real connections. This is why every successful Internet-fueled movement has had, as a key component, producing physical, face-to-face meetings and gatherings. One can list the numerous examples, from Meet-Up to Yearly Kos to the recently concluded "Democratic Reunion" drive by the DNC.

I was going to blah blah blah about the article, but .... just go read it. Good stuff.