Just gathering my thoughts…

…(and trying to decipher my notes) after a conference call with Rep. Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the DCCC, and a batch of bloggers. As I told the Congressman, it was the kind of expression of respect for the blogosphere that I've found typical of the DCCC since I started this thing up almost two years ago now.

There wasn't a lot new in his quick summary of the Hackett race, but Rep. Emanuel had lots to say, and some more to hint, about a wide range of races in a variety of places and circumstances. (Some of it is of regional interest for upper lefties - suffice to say there's news to come in WA-08. Perhaps when 'Johnny' comes marching home.) He openly appealled for an extended partnership with bloggers, not just in fundraising, but in recruiting, organizing and delivering the Democratic message.

I note with some interest that one symptom of post-Hackett blowback is the complaint from some of the 'uber'-bloggers about an exessive number of solicitations for help, primarily in fundraising. "Not us!" the big boys are hollering, "Talk to the local blogs, the regional blogs, get a rep before you give us the pitch."

I, for one, am pleased that the DCCC sees a role for local and regional bloggers beyond a filtration system for folks with a superior hit count. The D-Trip is engaging us directly, and openly, and deserves credit and cooperation in return. They'll continue to get just that around these parts...