Too many elected officials have fallen into the trap of using blogs to disseminate glorified press releases. Instead, Vilsack showed some appreciation for the interactivity that defines the blogging medium.
The actual topic of Vilsack's diary, a pitch for funds for a candidate for secretary of state in Ohio, was quite dull. But Vilsack does deserve credit for coming to the somewhat unfriendly territory of Daily Kos. He's the president of the Democratic Leadership Council, a group that has earned the ire of Kossacks for criticizing fellow Democrats for straying too far to the left.
What I really like, however, is what happened in the comments section.
One reader asked about a New Republic article that suggested that a blogger who goes by the alias of Teacherken had been rude to Vilsack when they spoke together at an in-person education panel.
Vilsack took the time to respond to the inquiry, stating in his own comment, "At no time did I ever think that TeacherKen was rude and I do not know how anyone could have that impression." That kind of personal touch works just as well in the online world as the real world.
The governor also abided by the norms of the blogosphere, writing, "We acting as those who knew and respect each other and friends often interrupt other friend. " Critics might say there's a word missing from that sentence and a typo, but a blogger almost certainly wouldn't. They know that proofreading is for stodgy media Web sites.
