It's hard to change someone's mind on a message board, because most people who are invested enough to participate on one are already active in the political world. I do think the people who are less likely to post, but lurk in the background, are more susceptible to persuasion, because they are coming here for additional thoughts, not necessarily to share their opinion. I do think message boards are useful, though, because you can see how the non-politician perceives the political world. It's just as important for me to know Marty's reasoning as it is for me to know RJ's, or homebiscuits, or Stroudcrowd's. So, while you might not change my mind TRM, you do help me understand the motivations of others like you, and I think that is important.

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