If the Democratic responses do not get on TV, do they matter ?

[kentuck]

Some folks seem to think it is almost meaningless unless it makes it on national cable television? Are they right? We might know that Dr. Dean responded quite accurately to a Republican point, but how many average people know it?

This is not to say that the Internet is useless because much of cable television follows the lead of the bloggers. However, they can be very picky in what they choose to transfer from the blogs to the television. What can we do about it?

Whether we like it or not, the vast majority of people get most of their information from television, and primarily cable television. CNN, FOX, MSNBC, etc. There are probably more than 50% of the nation hooked up to the Internet but what percentage actually is politically involved, on blogs and discussion groups, etc? I think most of them love to read email and visit the Elvis sites...If 5 to 10% blog, that would be a liberal estimate, in my opinion.

[leftstreet]

1. No

They have to get on cable and network "news" programs.

[Robbien]

2. The Dems do not have a plan. That is repeated over and over

Everyone believes it.

Dems keep coming out with plans but it does not get televised.

So the Dems do not have a plan.

That's how it goes.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. The media is critically critical to our message and to the perception

that we have no plan, no ideas, no brains, no soul, no patriotism, no national pride.

Without the media we become whatever they want to paint us.

I'm sick of it.

I also feel powerless to change it.

[Robbien]

4. Well, Free Press is having a campaign

You can join and help them. They are trying to stop Corporate propaganda from infiltrating local TV newscasts with ads posing as genuine news reports.

Its a small step, but its a step.

their campaign sign up:

http://action.freepress.net/campaign/fakenews

[LSparkle]

5. I'm glad Randi Rhodes has repealed her ban on TV appearances

It seems like every time I see her on with other talk show hosts, she blows them away because she knows the facts (and she pushes back hard about how the Dems DO have plans but they're largely ignored).

[Stinky The Clown]

6. We have a LOT of good commentators/talkers

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2569798#2570048

[smoochpooch]

10. She's one tough and feisty lady!

Knowledgable too and she is never on the defensive. Too bad we don't have AA Radio in St. Louis.

[TheBaldyMan]

7. this is a naif question but don't Americans read newspapers

I'd heard than even your local newspapers carry world and national news with some political and editorial comment. Compared to the commercial dross that passes for the local papers in the UK it sounds like the papers in the states are streets ahead.

Or have I been watching "The Man That Shot Liberty Valance"?

[kentuck]

8. No.

...

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. TV is old school.

So the answer is "Yes."