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I think what perfectly captures what you say is the FIFSA group

Submitted July 1, 2008 - 5:14 pm by Rhoda (not verified)

This group has 6000 members and is the largest growing group on the site: it stands against FIFSA. The  NYT Caucus blog has a story on them: http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/06/jeffrey-tambor.html?xid=rss-hollywoodinsider-20080630

I just want to quote the guy who started this at MyBO, a law student at the University of VA.

The group was conceived on a listserv for progressive, politically active people, said Mike Stark, an activist who is a law student at the University of Virginia. He wrote an initial e-mail to the group arguing: “Obama is getting mad props for social networking, why don’t we use social networking to let him know that he can’t keep elbowing his progressive base — the people who got him the nomination — away from the policy table?”

One of the recipients, who was already a member of mybarackobama.com, created the group. There were bumps in membership when various blogs wrote sympathetically, Mr. Stark said, but, “the biggest bump was from the members themselves.” He called it “the networking effect.”

The idea that the site would reject the sub-group never occurred to him, he said, because of Mr. Obama’s commitment to using the Internet to bring more transparency to government. “One of his key things is a five-day comment period before he signs noncritical legislation, and not all of that comment will be favorable,” he said. “It’s a test run to see what his presidency might look like.”

Mr. Stark said he was thinking beyond the FISA vote, which he concedes is all but lost. He said he planned to change the group’s name to Barack’s Better Angels, and linger at the site until the election as a meeting place for “progressives who won’t accept being pushed away from the table.”

One of the things I love about this campaign is the way this candidate has brought so many  new activists (me included!) to the table. I don't do anything but send 25 a month and I've done a registration drive twice (during the primary and after for the kickoff) and calling people using their site. But it's made me feel a part of something bigger, which is why I joined this group. These people support Sen. Obama but want their voices heard on policy issues; and envision that they will be able to comment when he is in office too. That is HUGE. A grassroots campaign that is devoted to the candiates platform; but will also push him progressivly. There have been so many blogs surprised that this dissent continues; but it illustrates what you capture in your post Al. And it is part of the reason I am so supportive of this candidate; despite ceartin disappointments. At the base: ending the war, health care, tax reform, education reform he stands where I want. And he is opening to hearing my voice and the voice of other progressives.

That is why I truly feel this is a chance for a transformational presidency; like FDR and his fireside chats. Only the chats are two way and online now. Those fireside chats enabled FDR to grow a base and create mutual trust to have the most progressive presidency in history. Teddy Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Washington are the only three that were as revolutionary. I'm excited to be watching history.

Tonight is the deadline for June numbers, please donate if you are able. And voluenteer. We need to be the change we believe in.

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