Mike Warren's blog

I'll file this under "reasons why I am glad George W. Bush won a second term."

Interestingly, this is from Sen. Jim DeMint's YouTube channel. Are we seeing a new trend in politicians using social media to directly engage in arguments and conversation with and about their colleagues? I think it's a great move for conservatives, Republicans, and Americans.

DeMint's proven himself this Congress to be the most reliable conservative voices in the Senate, and his online effort to get his message out is pretty cool to see. It reminds me of what Rep. Buck McKeon is doing over on the House side: taking advantage of technology to serve the people in new ways.

Video is great way to reach people, let them know what their colleagues are doing and saying up on Capitol Hill. DeMint's YouTube channel has the feel of a local townhall meeting back in the district or state, but done through the power of the Internet so that everyone can access the information. There are floor speeches, media appearances, and handheld camera responses to see what's going on in the Senate. Keep it coming, I say.

Mike Warren blogs daily at Vandy Right.

Ed at Hot Air brought this video to my attention, which features 15 GOP Senators, including Tennessee's Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, calling on the Democrats for a "balanced energy plan." A great addendum to the House GOP effort, actually.

Here's what I like about this video. It's fast-moving, it's solutions-based, and it's surprisingly Internet savvy for Republican Senators. It's a smart appeal to young voters (the Coldplay song would be passé, except I'll give the GOP a pass because at least it's from this century.), and it doesn't talk down to us. The call for their Democratic colleagues to do something is much more senatorial, which makes sense and bookends the revolutionary air behind the House's Guerrilla Congress.

My only hope is that the GOP in Congress uses this as an opportunity to step out of the way, not try to be too meddlesome like with Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Republicans need to know that what we do best is let the market and the people do their jobs.

 Mike Warren posts at RIght-Wing Vitriol from Vanderbilt University.

Cross-posted from last Friday at Right-Wing Vitriol. Makes sense to post it with all this ad talk going on.

Happy Friday, everyone. Katherine and I (okay, I just helped a little on the side) put together this ad based on an idea from my boss at the Washington Examiner, Barbara Hollingsworth. If John McCain put this ad out from now until November, Barack Obama wouldn't stand a chance. Feast your eyes:

Mike Warren posts at Right-Wing Vitriol from Vanderbilt University.