Brian Kanowsky

Name:	Brian Kanowsky
Location:	Bloomington, IN
Where I blog:	Democracy for Monroe County BlueIndiana

My Experience in progressive politics:

While I had always watched politics closely, I only became active in the run-up to the 2004 election. Since then, I have taken part in a number of local campaigns and GOTV operations, and currently serve as the Chair of Democracy for Monroe County.

My personal volunteering highlight:

During a DFA Academy training, I saw a local city council candidate transform before my eyes - from a soft-spoken first-time candidate to a confident, passionate advocate. That experience really drove home the idea that politics is a learned skill, and that trainings like the DFA Academy can be the difference between electoral success and defeat.

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

I am preparing to launch a community-driven website about practical grassroots activism - focusing on the tools, tactics, and trainings that work best for the grassroots. In addition, we have used the DFMC website and DFA website to promote our organization and reach new members.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

I am excited to get a chance to meet other progressives from around the country, to put faces with screen names, and to participate in the conversation about the future of our country and the netroots.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

I want to meet and share ideas with other progressive activists, and to capture some of their energy and tactics to bring back to Indiana. Specifically, I want to work on documenting what tactics are most effective for similar groups, what trainings are most useful, and what tools are the most efficient.

What is a progressive activist:

A progressive activist is someone who works for positive change and brings new people and perspectives into the political process.

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

I think that blogs allow for multi-directional communication and allow for a more diverse group of voices to be heard. As such, they are a natural fit for grassroots action. By lowering the barriers for entry into political discussion, blogs allow more new people into the political process. Most activists I know started their activism with a single comment on a political blog.

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

DFA is a cornerstone of the progressive movement: by providing tools for activists, they allow more new people into the political process and encourage the development of local progressive infrastructure. These groups create a base of donors, volunteers, and even candidates for office, building progressive communities from the ground up.

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

John McCain: More of the Same