So, as previously noted, there's a brewing controversy over the state blogs credentialed to the Democratic Convention in Denver. The blog chosen for New York is Room Eight, Ben Smith's worthy venture. Now, here's why that's a problem. Markos touches on the essentials here (note how, as usual, Daily Gotham gets overlooked, which makes me simply, occasionally, just want to throw in the towel, but one soldiers on), but the goal of these state blogs has always been to develop a parallel media structure to get out the Progressive message, build the party, raise money, advance candidates, all of those things. Per Marc Ambinder, other blogs are weighing in as well, with a letter directly to Howard Dean. More >>>

We write to you today out of concern that the same principles that have strengthened our party are today being ignored in the state blog credentialing process for the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer. As long-time progressive state bloggers, we have now witnessed many of our well-respected colleagues from crucial states be passed over. In many states, it appears that parochial politics and hurt egos played a role in these decisions. These concerns run counter to our shared goals of using programs like the state blogger pool to "tear down the walls" in Denver -- and better connect the American people with the events on the ground. The Democratic Party endangers its own long-term viability when it makes fealty a criterion for inclusion. Instead, the Party should act to ensure that it includes its ideological media allies, even if those allies are occasional tactical or strategic critics. We, the undersigned, have been included in the state credentials pool, despite our own history of criticism of local Democratic actors. This speaks well to the character of our own local parties. But while our peers in other states are being excluded, we'd be remiss in staying silent. We encourage you to review the selection process undertaken and reasons given by state parties for excluding some of America's most respected state level progressive blogs. We believe a fair and thorough review is necessary to ensure success for this promising experiment in shining a light on the Democratic Convention.

As we've written about countless times, here in New York, the relationship between party and blogdom is good, certainly far better than elsewhere. We've worked together too closely for too long for it to be anything else. Nor is this a zero-sum game; there's no reason why a state like ours shouldn't send a larger delegation to Denver than is presently planned. What is clear, however, is that an exclusion of the netroots blogs from our convention is not tenable.