The forum packed more than 100 activists into a room at the AFL-CIO's Washington headquarters, for a program featuring prominent leaders from nearly 30 organizations and firms. In rapid-fire, panelists shared observations and lessons from their recent experiences with both national and grassroots campaigns. Each offered advice and predictions for building on their movements' accomplishments, and expressed optimism that progressives will realize significant success using the new tools and findings.
Among the technologies speakers touted were: weblogs, open source software for managing lists of supporters and donors, and digital media such as Flash and online video that take advantage of increasing broadband capabilities. Some echoed the view of Michael Warren of the firm Limbic Systems, who said, "What progressives most need now is detailed research -- focused information gathering" and the wisdom to use it for the greatest impact.
Bob Fertik of Democrats.com challenged conventional political wisdom when he pronounced, "TV is the enemy [of progressives] ... money spent on TV ads is totally wasted." Other speakers expressed the related conviction that broadcast media's once dominant influence is quickly being eclipsed by the Internet. They agreed with Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, that the Internet will change history on the same scale as the invention of the printing press or the industrial revolution.
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