CROSS-POSTED AT DAKOTA LIFESTYLE:  BEYOND THE WEATHER. LINKS CAN BE FOUND AT THE ORIGINAL POST, INCLUDING A LINK TO THE RADIO GUIDE.

Chad Everson, a former North Dakotan and a North Dakota Ambassador, has got more on his hands than his Raku pottery business, the Clay Empire.

Everson is also the owner of Grizzly Groundswell, a conservative political blog that in the past year organized a national network of conservative bloggers and thinkers.  Under his direction, the network has grown to more than 20 credentialed bloggers, 320 plus offsite bloggers, over 35 internet radio shows and two 24/7 video channels.  But the real news is what the network plans to do: report, in its own way, on the upcoming Republican National Convention.

“If you remember how television changed politics with the first televised presidential debate, not necessarily for the better, with our Grizzly Groundswell Strategy we have the potential to change politics in a good way, a Main Street Media way,” Everson said.  ”We are unleashing conservative thought, voice and image with this online media empire.”

A Radio Guide listing the Grizzly Groundswell Internet radio shows covering the Republican National Convention includes call-in numbers for people listening to the shows.  Everson said people from across the nation are encouraged to listen to the shows and call in with their comments and questions, including whether or not the news articles appearing in their area are accurate.

Everson said the Internet media event has a three-pronged purpose:  1) to hold traditional media resources accountable for the way they report the convention, 2) to validate Internet resources like blogs as a serious form of media, and 3) to create a groundswell of conservative political ideas that will influence upcoming elections and policies. 

The network has some serious conservative muscle on its side.  Mad Irishman, Patriot Games and Everson himself are some of the radio shows/bloggers that will be discussing the convention.

At the very least, Everson’s hard work and creativity are great examples of the kind of people that come out of North Dakota.  Having Grizzly Groundswell/Main Street Media coverage will make the upcoming Republican National Convention a very exciting week.