Interest Groups in State Politics

For Thursday, update your blog with a post about Interest Group influence in your state's politics.
1. Do some digging and uncover which interest groups have the most influence in your state.
2. Create a list of the five most important/influential, then choose one that has a mostly positive impact (in your opinion) and one that has a mostly negative impact.
3. Contact one of the organizations with the following request: "I post a blog about ___ politics. I am writing a short post about interest groups in state politics. I am interested in how your organization sees its role in state politics. Any response would be appreciated."
4. Post any response you receive and comment on it.

Blog Offspring

For Tuesday make sure your own blog is set up in your own style and post an initial posting that satisfies the 5 criteria listed in the initial posting here.

How to blog about state and local politics

1. Define your sphere of observation. Will you be focused on state legislative efforts, practical political maneuvers, budgetary and economic concerns?

2. Declare your bias. Will you be a neutral observer, biased commentator, editorializer?

3. Stay current. Not only should you "know" what is going on in real time, but you should be sure to post regularly if you want anyone to rely on your blog.

4. Have tangible contacts. Just because blogging is an indirect form of communication doesn't mean you should avoid real world interactions. Call people, talk to people, ask questions, and use these interactions as background for your analysis.

5. Put your mark on it. An effective blog communicates interesting/important information in a way that is uniquely revelatory of your particular personality.