Pennacchio v. Bloggers

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I heard Chuck Pennacchio speak last week in State College. After the speech, I asked Pennacchio a question that had been bothering me for the past few weeks:

"Progressive blogs like Daily Kos and MyDD have had a serious impact on the fundraising efforts of progressive candidates like Ned Lamont in Connecticut, Paul Hackett in Ohio, and Ciro Rodriguez in Texas. I have not noticed a lot of support for you on the blogs. In fact, Daily Kos has called you 'not a viable candidate [link2].' Why do you think this is the case?"

Before Pennacchio could respond, a women in the front of the room, who I believe was affiliated with the Pennacchio campaign in Centre County, belligerently interrupted

"But they lost, they lost THEY ALL LOST. Every one of Kos' candidates LOST."

This was a statement of fact. Each of the 15 candidates that Kos raised money for in 2004 lost their respective elections. However, these candidates were progressives who were not expected to win and would probably not have come close to victory were it not for Kos). To the woman I responded,

"Be that as it may, wouldn't someone (gesturing toward Pennacchio) with very little cash on hand like $100,000 from progressive supporters?"

Again, she exclaimed,

"But THEY ALL LOST"

Clearly--at least in my estimation--this is a moot point. It is not as though Kos and other bloggers cursed the candidates to which the directed reader contributions. Pennacchio is sorely in need of any money that he can get. I love that he only accepts ethical contributions, but when his campaign organizers shun money from the very people who ought to support him, something is amiss. In any event, Pennacchio decided it was time to interject (this is a paraphrase of his response):

"I think that I have had success with many bloggers. I have received endorsements from Chris Bowers at MyDD, and the Booman Tribune, among others. The reason that some blogs don't support me is because they are influenced by push polls showing Casey in the lead based on name recognition. I also don't think a lot of what Daily Kos writes is very insightful." Pennacchio then looked at me and with the most honesty I have ever seen in a politician's eyes and said, "But write to them. Let them know."

I was not aware that Bowers had supported Pennacchio, but I don't think that all of MyDD has--correct me if I am wrong. Pennacchio's response seemed like a good one. His biggest problem is name recognition. According to Zogby, most of those who hear what Pennacchio has to say would vote for him. However, I do think that much of Kos' writing is insightful, and I doubt that Kos has not heard about the aforementioned Zogby poll. I can forgive Pennacchio for not being a huge Kos fan, especially when Kos has the power to fundraise for him but refuses to do so, but clearly Pennacchio needs to actively pursue the netroots if he wants to earn our contributions.

Pennacchio asked me to write, so that is what I am doing. I support him tooth and nail, but if Pennacchio wants solid netroots support he will need to pursue it himself. So, here is my suggestion to you Dr. Pennacchio:

Write an open letter to Daily Kos, Mydd, Americablog, Eschaton, Crooks and Liars, and all the other popular progressive blogs. Explain who you are, what your fighting for, and why Pennsylvanians will support you over Casey and Santorum. Ask for their support. Indeed, actively pursue it. You challenged me to become an active citizen, and I challenge you to become an active candidate. Matt Brown, a progressive candidate for Senate from Rhode Island, recently held a conference call with bloggers discussing his background and politics. He even wrote a diary for Daily Kos. I implore you to do the same.

Update:

Pennacchio held a conference call with 10 Pennsylvania bloggers [listen here] exactly one year ago today according to Young Philly Politics. I think it is imperitive that Pennacchio try again. This time he also needs to go after the national blogs as well.