Ryan McLeod

Name:	Ryan McLeod
Location:	Baton Rouge, LA
Where I blog:	Daily Kingfish

My Experience in progressive politics:

I started Daily Kingfish last spring ... as a result of my experiences on Ned Lamont's campaign, where I was the Regional Coordinator for the 4th CD. Every time I went to a campaign event, I was able to find out that 15 - 20 people signed up on the website. When I got there, there would usually be WAY more than that. I made it a point to ask where folks heard about the event. I would get some folks saying, "my friend dragged me," or "I found out about it on the campaign website," more often, however, I heard "I found out about it at myleftnutmeg.com." I wondered just what the hell myleftnutmeg.com was, so I checked it out. It's a great progressive community blog focused on Connecticut politics.

When I moved to Louisiana to start law school in the fall of '06, I looked and looked for a progressive community blog focusing on Louisiana politics in the mold of myleftnutmeg.com ... I couldn't find one, so I started one.

My personal volunteering highlight:

Dang ... there's too many ... how about a funny one?

There was the time my car got towed while I was door-knocking in NY for Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign. Well, I guess my parents didn't find that one too funny!

How about a scary one?

The time I was met at the door with a shotgun in South Dakota because I was wearing a Stephanie Herseth sticker.

How about one that hurts?

The time I had to run half a mile down a hill to the safety of my car with my teammate in South Dakota to escape golf ball sized hail.

Now, for a FUN one ...

The night the entire field operation in South Dakota waited until 2 AM to find out if our efforts were enough to put Stephanie Herseth over the top. When we found out we won ... there were 400 people in the ballroom screaming, "We want the House! We want the House! We want the House!"

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

I created Daily Kingfish so progressives in Louisiana would have a forum to discuss the pressing issues of the day in Louisiana politics. I have sought to get folks engaged in the political process, by giving them information about the candidates, encouraging them to volunteer, and become activists for progressive politics in Louisiana. It's been slow ... but some progress is being made, as evidenced by the victory in LA-06 by Don Cazayoux.

Why I want to attend Netroots Nation:

Last year, with help from Kid Oakland, and many generous donors across the nation, and some awesome family friends who let me crash on their couch, I was able to attend the final YearlyKos. The contacts that I made there were awesome, and I'd love the opportunity to deepen those budding friendships, and make some more.

What I want to get out of Netroots Nation:

More knowledge about technical side of blogging, as well as more new friends in the progressive blogosphere.

What is a progressive activist:

A progressive activist is someone who is willing to fight the good fight, even when it's unpopular. That activist would learn the issue, and seek to convince others that their stance is the right one, and build a coalition to fight for that stance.

How I think blogs fit into the progressive movement:

Blogs are where the revolution is televised, so to speak. It's where folks will get their information, and hopefully, find that community of like-minded individuals to fight alongside.

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

DFA ... I LOVE YOU GUYS. You guys came to Connecticut in '06, and gave us that extra help we needed to beat Joe Lieberman in the primary during those final days.

The trainings you put on are excellent ... you are essentially creating the progressive movement, along with other organizations like Wellstone Action, and others, that train the foot soldiers of the progressive movement.

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

John McCain: Grandpa Simpson With Nukes