2006 campaigns highlighted for their use of the liberal blogosphere include Montana U.S. Senate candidate Jon Tester and Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Bob Casey, both Democrats. Tester’s official campaign website links to 17 sites that host blogs, including the Daily Kos. Casey has also entered the network; his website hosts a blog written by the candidate.

---

 

YearlyKos, a national bloggers' convention in Las Vegas in June, attracted politicians like Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and former Virginia Governor Mark Warner.

---

 

While these online liberal activists are certainly a force to be reckoned with they also have their share of critics. Since blogs are not covered by campaign finance laws and regulations the bloggers can spend what they want and say what they please.

---

 

“People who visit political blogs are generally political junkies with big social networks. They have an influence that is disproportionate to their size," said Carol Darr, director of the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet at George Washington University. “I think they are a force to stay.”

---

 

As more voters tune out the TV and turn to the Internet for news, information and entertainment, blogging campaigns could become the most influential medium of the 2006 midterm election.

---

Blogs Offer Arena for Political Attacks

 

 

Unregulated Blogs Promote Wild Political Rumors

 

 

Liberal Bloggers Come to the Fore