US presidential contenders including Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are heading to Chicago for the biggest gathering of leftwing and anti-war bloggers, in a move that highlights the increasing importance of online activists in American politics. All eight Democratic contenders will be present for the second YearlyKos convention, which opens today, in contrast with last year when only Bill Richardson turned up.The candidates will take part in a debate on Saturday and hold one-to-one meetings with the bloggers, in the hope that their campaigns can harness the online commentators’ networks, enthusiasm and fundraising capabilities.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections08/story/0,,2139508,00.html