IP Democracy: Virginia Partisan Fighting Lands on YouTube

The Washington Post’s Michael Shear has this great piece today about the absurd level of partisan bickering in the Virginia legislature. A Republican v. Democrat rift over a transportation bill is just one example of the sniping across the aisle, but what’s really interesting, and kind of funny, is that Democrats are videotaping boring scenes of legislative activity and posting them on YouTube in the hopes of showing up the Republicans as back-room dealers unwilling to open up legislation to full debate.

The average citizen watching the video probably has no clue what’s going on. A bunch of people are sitting and standing around a table talking about various resolutions and saying “aye” or “nay” in response to votes. Nothing here to shock the conscience or even mildly upset anyone. In fact, only legislative insiders can figuring out what’s going on.

But that won’t stop the Republicans from upping the ante. They’ve got cameras too and are just as capable of posting incomprehensible videos to YouTube.

“Unfortunately, they are ratcheting it up, and we are going to have our groups respond,” Griffith [House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem)] told The Washington Post. “Both sides can play that game.”

They probably will. Look for Republicans with cellphone cameras at committee hearings soon. And if there’s not a Republican blog by the end of the session, it’s a safe bet there will be one next year.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on February 2, 2007 10:10 AM to IP Democracy