Matthew Reichbach

Name:	Matthew Reichbach
Location:	Rio Rancho, NM
Where I blog:	New Mexico FBIHOP New Mexico Independent Daily Kos MyDD

My Experience in progressive politics:

I've been blogging in New Mexico for two years, and have interviewed Congressional candidates, a Senate candidate, have worked to raise money for Democrats, have worked to elect Democrats and even to push Tom Udall into the Senate race.

That's not to say I haven't criticized Democrats when they forget who and what they're working for.

Though I won't always be the most visible person working for Democratic and progressive causes in New Mexico (that's just not my style) I will always be among the most passionate.

My personal volunteering highlight:

As I mentioned before, the day when I learned Tom Udall was going to run for the Open Senate seat was a definite highlight. Seeing that the small things my blog did to help push the best progressive Democratic candidate to run for Senate actually work was very rewarding.

Steps I've taken to combine on-line and off-line action:

Getting people to get off their keyboards and get out on the streets. Whether it's going out and helping GOTV efforts or writing their Representative to support a critical bill, it's constantly work to not only inform my readers about what is going on with politics, but also to show how they can make a difference.

A lot of us small voices together make an awfully big voice; and big voices get results.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

It's an experience I've never had. I went to a blogger summit in Washington, DC and it was a great experience; meeting other like-minded individuals not only on blogging, but also on politics was really great.

I think attending Netroots Nation will be that x100. A great chance to meet people I normally would have no chance to meet.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

Like I said, I think just meeting like-minded individuals from around the nation. People who understand what a blog is and why what we do is important; people who can think critically about what their local newspaper or station tells them.

What is a progressive activist:

Someone who does whatever they do best to further progressive causes. Some people are gifted with great minds; others are great writers; some people are great at talking. There is room for anyone to become a progressive activist.

Now if only I could become a great mind, great reader or great speaker...

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

They are an integral part.

The progressive movement thrives on bottom-to-top thinking and bottom-to-top action. While most blogs will never have tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands hits a day, they can help get their small readerships involved. When multiple blogs get their readership involved... that helps the movement.

We aren't the right with talk radio and Bill O'Reilly letting us know what we should be thinking. We can come up with our own, and one way to voice our opinions is through blogs.

How I think Democracy For America fits into the progressive movement:

As I've said before, it's just about a lot of people doing a little to make a lot. Whether it's raising money or volunteering, DFA is, at it's heart, built on the people of the organization.

In 10 words or less, create a bumper-sticker slogan against John McCain:

McCain=Bush 3. The third one's always the worst.