My Backyard: All Politics is Local!

There's one type of diary on daily kos that I will always read and I know many who feel the same way. I love and seek out diaries about local politics. I like to know what's going on in some dude's Congressional race or in the next district over. I like to read diaries about how regional concerns weigh on the final outcome. (Think the Verrazona Narrows bridge toll to NY-13.) I like to know about recruiting efforts in red districts. I call these diaries "My Backyard" diaries. I love 'em like kitten slippers.

Now with all the mess and the name-calling going on with the Presidential candidates (and it's NOT over despite this mythical truce between Clinton and Obama),  you and I should be sharing more information on all the close races and challenges we face in our own backyards:

-- keep goin' --

Regional and local diaries are informative. No matter how much politics I read all day, I can't be aware of all the challenges we face without it being forced on my lap. A well thought out "My Backyard" diary could be a sleeper hit on the rec list for a few hours no problem - bringing attention to a race or an issue that you really believe in.

Slap an ActBlue link on the end, and you've even made gold. (For those of you who haven't tried: do it. It's rewarding.)

The more attention we pay to our backyards, the less we're spending on the Cable Horse Race, thus fueling the fire. It's not easy finding political news that isn't about the Presidential election. I know it needs to play out but I feel like its becoming a national sport with pre-games and post-games and scores.

I think Daily Kossacks are thirsty for local news. I want to drop a feel good $20 on some stranger tonight. Make a pledge to yourself:

The next time I diary on daily kos, it's going to be about local politics.

We need to know what's going on in our backyards. All politics are local and tomorrow's leaders are the people you support in your community NOW. Write that diary and put "My Backyard" in the title. I'll keep the series going by writing round-up diaries on the weekends.

For starters, I'll try and find some time to do a diary about, yes, Staten Island, the last bastion of the GOP in New York City. Stephen Harrison is back and funded by the DCCC and ready to give the corrupt Vito Fossella a piledriver. Ahem.

Take your time with it. Research the history of the races. Compare them with Presidential election results. Create a picture of the political climate in your district. What's the issue? What can we do to help?

So tell me kossacks, will you write a "My Backyard" diary? If so, what will it be about?

-fink