Does anyone in Washington, DC still read DU?

[kentuck]

There was a time in the past when it was monitored by Congressional aides and assistants to glean any worthwhile ideas that might come from the "underground".

Does anyone know if that still happens or is most of the discussion now on DU just singing to the choir?

Does it serve any worthwhile purpose in regards to policy discussions?

Have we minimized ourselves into trivial pursuits?

[LakeArenal]

1. I have my suspicions that they lurk here.

I swear a tracked two or three that joined the day Biden declared. Always had something positive on days Joe made announcements.

[Sympthsical]

2. This place is pretty mainstream party stuff

I do think a few minor operatives post here. Sometimes the talking points come out fast and repetitively. But, for the most part, it's a pretty small community in the scheme of things, a little bubble floating on the internet. I came in because a friend posts here and asked me to join. It's interesting enough.

The site largely seems focused on whatever's happening on Twitter. I can't say I've read anything in regards to policy or friendly disagreement about major issues. It can pretty lock-steppy. I just interject when I disagree in part or whole. Otherwise, stroke stroke.

Nothing wrong with that, either. I subscribe to subreddits that are only one thing as well. Sometimes you don't feel like getting into it with people.

A true "underground" place isn't having a go at AOC or Bernie Sanders every ten seconds of the day. Just sayin'.

[betsuni]

13. The "underground" in the name refers to Democrats feeling they had to go underground

after G.W. Bush became president, nothing else. It's a place for Democrats.

[kentuck]

14. There were long debates about whether being "progressive" was enough to maintain credibility...

....on the "democraticunderground", back in those days, as I recall. Back during the Carlos Jiacinto days, for those that remember?

[DFW]

22. Few, if any, live DC people post here

A few of their employees do, but they are often campaign people who just try to spread "the word," even if it's letting everyone know what brand of toothpaste Sen. Sanders used last night, or some such vital detail, every ten seconds of the day. In fact, now that the election is history, even that has become sporadic.

I never look at Twitter, so I have no clue whether most content here comes from there or not. Mine sure as hell doesn't.

DU does occasionally get monitored, and sometimes something posted here is quoted, or referred to. Creative original thinking gets noted. Repetition of ANY already established point of view does not. A reasoned post based on "why I think we can win back Iowa's Senate seat, and here's how" would get noticed. "Nancy Pelosi is too old and needs to retire NOW," or the week's 198th post saying why capitalism is evil, will be ignored with a yawn.

[enough]

3. Having been a member since 2002 and a lurker for quite a while before that,

I think DU has changed so much, and the entire internet world has changed so much, that I doubt DU has any influence. It is now essentially a chat room for all us very nice elderly liberals. It’s a great place to post when you or someone in your family gets the vaccine, and then again when you get the second shot.

I still love it and hope it never goes away

[Croney]

4. LOL

[appalachiablue]

6. 'Very nice elderly liberals,' I luv it!

DC checking in but I had to give up my 'operative' ways, Lol.

[OAITW r.2.0]

10. And yet, sometimes a 24 YO will learn something they didn't know.

DU is known and the pulse is taken, pretty sure of that. Why? Cuz' real time news events happen here and people comment.

[AZ8theist]

12. I'm an "elderly liberal" alright....

Just not so "nice"....

[JanMichael]

19. Started in 2001 in my mid-30's...does mid 50's count as elderly?

Oh shit...

[DFW]

20. Hey, you think that's scary?

I joined in 2006 (I think!) when I was 54, and I just turned 69. Does THAT count as elderly?

Apparently, a lot of places think it's "senior," but they no longer give discounts because of it. Oh, well.

[Sneederbunk]

5. Who would want to miss all the pet and music posts?

[mitch96]

9. Oh and don't forget the long winded physics papers!! I love 'em...nt

[NurseJackie]

7. Unlikely. Why flatter ourselves?

It's a fun pastime to socialize with other Democrats.

[kentuck]

8. I can recall discussions from earlier days...

...when people questioned whether "independents" were OK on DU so long as they espoused "progressive and democratic" ideas.

Gradually it became a place where Party loyalty became a litmus test for anyone posting on DU?

I do not know if that improved DU in expressing free and independent thought? I rather doubt it.

[OAITW r.2.0]

11. This is no other option because Republicans went off the deep RW end of the pool.

Seriously, Bernie or Joe? Both, cuz, the opposite is too bizarre to contemplate.

[kentuck]

15. But the "far left" is not an option for those that wouold vote for the Democratic Party...

...or, at the very least, would not vote for the Republican Party. That is the choice that should be offered to them, in my opinion.

[OAITW r.2.0]

16. My only point is, I'd vote Bernie or Joe....don't matter. I always vote for the saner Party.

Today, there is only one sane Party.

[kentuck]

17. Sane to you.

[OAITW r.2.0]

18. I guess.

Haven't got to this age without some idea of sanity.

[samnsara]

21. youre right

[NurseJackie]

24. There's nothing wrong with party loyalty. The notion that...

Gradually it became a place where Party loyalty became a litmus test for anyone posting on DU?

I'm very much in favor of that. There's nothing wrong with party loyalty. The notion that simply "not voting" for the Republican leads to things like Nader and Stein who siphon-off enough votes that would have made a big difference in more than one national election.

When it comes to national politics, we have a defacto two-party system. The person who's elected President will come from ONE of the two parties. The Independent Party, the Socialist Party, the Green Party, the Birthday Party candidates are all jokes and spoilers.

When it comes to control of he two houses of Congress, neither will EVER be controlled by any party OTHER than the Democrats or the Republicans.

Party loyalty is vital. Egos are not.

[bottomofthehill]

23. Members of Congress (House and Senate) not so much

Congressional Staff, yes.

[brooklynite]

25. What is your evidence that it was "monitored"?

From the dozens of House and Senate members (and staff) I've talked to, I've never picked up a DU "message".

[kentuck]

28. Limbaugh used to mention DU on occasion...

But always in ridicule.

[leftyladyfrommo]

26. My guess is that they ck in just like they ck in with

Mat Drudge.

[Celerity]

27. I doubt it, this is an aged (on average) captive audience, that is not a all

friendly to younger cohorts, thus it hardly affects recruitment. If this board (and its model, tenor, and tone) was the primary outreach to younger voters, dog help the party and the nation.

[Hotler]

29. Agent Mike is still around.

Hi Agent Mike.

[Autumn]

30. I think I read that a few of Joe Manchins aides post here. nt