“Can Blogs Revolutionize Progressive Politics?”

1. Why do the Democratic leaders embrace blogging as a potential political communication considering the traditional media landscape in politics?

Blogging is a quick and direct form of communication between politicians and the public. This is a growing trend because politicians can actually hear what people have to say about their strategies and views, among other things.

2. Blogging encourages a participatory culture. In what way does the participatory culture in blogging expand digital media convergence?

It's free, so everyone is able to speak their mind through different outlets. Different opinions and ideas mesh together and form public opinions, related ideas, etc. through the use of blogging.

3. In the article, the author says: “The ability of the Internet to erase geographical distances can become a structural weakness in elections where district lines and eligibility are key.” How can blogging counter this weakness in the process of turning the netroots to grassroots?

Blogging allows politicians to spread and increase active voter participation. Voters can support their parties through blogging and other interaction.

4. The author spends the second half of the article discussing the lack of diversity in current blogosphere dominated by elite bloggers. Please use the concept of digital convergence to explain how blogs can become the real bearer of freedom, democracy, egalitarianism, and participation in the new media communication?

Only elite bloggers get attention, while average bloggers' thoughts aren't very publicized. In order to break out, digital convergence must be used to move past the elite class, with attention and awareness being spread through social networks, garnering attention for a lesser known blog, thus spreading opinions, ideas, and other information that can potentially be life-changing.