Well, it's a little more than that. There's a growing controversy about the selection process, qualifications, and the role of state party officials. There are also concerns about the lack of diversity among those selected.

I'm staying out of it.

For the record, I submitted an application and waited to hear back just like (I thought) everybody else. I have not communicated with the DNCC, the DNC, state or local party officials, or anybody else about it, and in fact didn't mention that I had even applied, and nobody contacted me until it was announced except to get additional info for background checks or something. That's all I know about it. There several other worthy blogs in Tennessee and any would have been a great choice.

The rest of it, I don't know, and like I said I'm staying out of it and just thinking about how to cover it in an interesting way.

Anyway, I hate to see what is basically a pretty remarkable thing get all twisted up in another internal Dem controversy. We have plenty of challenges facing us in November to keep us occupied.

'Nuff said.

yeah, but um... the way I read the interview with Howard Dean tells me that simply to 'blog it' or 'internet report it' was not what he had in mind with the seated Community bloggers. I and my friends among the Blount County Dems read the interview and came away with the idea that R would be seated with our state delegations and that is what will connect us in Blount County with Randy and our state delegations.

Randy, am I reading that interview wrong? If I am, tell me now because I really am planning on having a big group of BC Dems at the house so we can collectively ask you questions / comment on events as the unfold.

Mello, that's the way I understand it and what I have in mind. This controversy has nothing to do with that, or the vast majority (50 or so out of 55) of the blogs in the State Blogger Corps.

They'll get it sorted out sooner or later, and the DNCC will have a strong group of bloggers on the ground at the convention reporting it almost live* to the folks back home.

*And by "live" I don't mean trying to blog every word of every speech, etc. You can watch that on TV or on the unprecedented variety of other media and internet outlets they are setting up. I'm still trying to figure out the angle, but I plan to focus more on what our Tennessee delegation is doing and talking about and their reactions to the proceedings, and maybe some other fun stuff going on in and around the convention. We haven't been given any rules or direction, other than just go do that thing that we do however it is we do it.

Here's a fun fact. We were told in a conference call that we probably won't have WiFi because of all the broadcast transmission equipment in the building that will interfere with it and vice versa. But they have promised hardwired network connections on the convention floor for bloggers.

Markos loves being held back by first time voting bloggers as he leans into the democratic establishment. Sheesh.

It's a party! Conventions are like a rock concerts. If you want to be on the floor with your state delegation, and you are anywhere near the kind of aggressive go getter Markos projects himself to be, you'll find your way anywhere you'd like. The rest can brood in the general pool with the rest of the first timers wondering what the hell is going on. The one thing going for all these complainers is they are all likely under 30.

Kos has historically advocated for local blogs and more grass roots type local work so I can't imagine he has any real problem with the local blogs setup. Seems there's some heartburn of general/national bloggers and access granted them?

"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
Hunter S. Thompson