How Can Bloggers Create and Utilize Political Capital?

When we think about the development, accumulation and use of political capital by bloggers we have a lengthy list of examples. One that might be relevant is Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was astute at bringing the power of the press to weigh-in on the political issues of his day. He often wrote anonymously (or under a fictitious name such as many bloggers use). He sometimes supported and sometimes lambasted political initiatives on both the local and "inter-colonial" fronts and ultimately internationally. His style was usually witty, often mocking, occasionally erudite, but almost always gentlemanly. Sometimes he aimed at individuals but almost always he included reason and logic as well as alternative answers to the question of the day. In so doing, Franklin built a tremendous amount of influence within a short span of years among the powers of his day -- both domestically and in England. He often found himself defending his reputation from detractors (he certainly made enemies) but he did so in a forthright manner.

As I peruse various politically and issue-oriented blogs, I find that most use sarcastic and derogatory comments and rarely offer reasoned solutions based in the reality of the situation. We each have our vision of the "ideal" but must realize that we live in a far-from-ideal world. We must adapt our approach to meet the needs of the constituencies that we wish to influence because ultimately, it is influence that we seek. We desire to re-mold the world in the image of our making -- not what we see.

To gain influence, we must bring value. Ours can't be a continual message of negativism. We must seek to praise where praise is due. Support where we can. And offer alternatives when we speak against those things that we believe to be in error. Too much of what I see is merely rhetoric and venting. It is purely destructive. We need constructive. We saw the beginnings of this with various blogrolls supporting Presidential candidates. There are also some specific issue blogrolls. Most of them are anti-whatever though.

Our current leaders have very little cumulative capital with the American public. That is why Congress and the President have such low public opinion ratings. Many of the mighty have fallen and many more will fall. Who will step into the vaccuum?

Is that an area that we can influence?