This is the first election in which the internet has trumped the traditional MSM in influence...

[Blackhatjack]

People are plugged in, paying attention, raising and spending money, and reaching amazing numbers of potential voters.

Dean and Trippi showed the internet could raise money.

THis election shows the internet has the power to influence and hold people accountable.

[KansDem]

1. Strongly agree, that's why it must remain free...

...and out of the tentacles of "Free Market" Corporatists.

[jgraz]

2. Another way to say it: 2004 was the LAST election in which the MSM trumped the internet

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. Which is one more reason why we need to get rid of the "voting" machines.

They may or may not be able to steal this election, but the next time they DO steal one, the first thing they target will be the internet.

Hopefully the corporate media will be forced to change, one way or another, over the next 8 years. But I don't plan up on giving up my cable modem regardless.

[WeDidIt]

4. It's got to get better than it is today

This year, the Netroots targeted multiple races in multiple districts across the country.

In 2010, the Netroots needs to microtarget specific races in state level legislative districts across the country.

The reasoning is simple. 2010 is a census year which means the state legislatures in place in 2011 will be responsible for federal level redistricting.

[blm]

5. And the first election with Dem Sec of States guarding our vote process. THAT will be big difference

in the long run.

[prolesunited]

6. I definitely agree

and was discussing this with my husband the other day.

In the early days of DU, a story would hit here and it would take a month or more to hit the MSM. Now, it's just a matter of days. I think it shows the netroots are driving the MSM and not the other way around.

Also, YouTube has been an enormous influence as well. It's one thing to see situations and quotes in print, but entirely different to see the video evidence. Who can forget George Allen's "macaca moment"?

Also, the process by which YouTube videos rise and then go viral is an entirely democratic process. The people decide what's important instead of having it packaged and fed to them.

[Arugula Latte]

7. I was just thinking that it's also a way to get around polling

Before, you'd see a poll in the newspaper and just accept it at face value.

Now, today, people are discussing weighting methods, methodology and poll-taker bias. Everyone is a pollster now.