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Can Netroots make a difference in November – and beyond?

IN THE MONEY

Netroots Nation will convene two days after what many activists consider the biggest election of 2012 aside from November: the Wisconsin recall.

Started by union members angry with Governor Scott Walker, the recall has become common cause on the left. Online activism has been trying to counter a massive funding advantage for Walker. Netroots have also been trying to push the national Democratic Party to expend more resources in Wisconsin — and, frustrated at the perceived lack of response, have raised money on their own, Green says.

Polls suggest that it won't be enough. We won't know for certain that it was the millions and millions in corporate contributions that tipped the scales for Walker. But from the perspective of most in the netroots, it's going to look like their blogs and e-mails are helpless against the mighty mountain of money on the other side.

That will be the backdrop when they meet in Providence; my guess is that, rather than looking back at that week's defeat, they'll be plotting how to win the next one.

To read the Talking Politics blog, go to thePhoenix.com/talkingpolitics. David S. Bernstein can be reached at dbernstein@phx.com. Follow him on Twitter @dbernstein.