Silicon Valley Gets Potomac Fever

But for all these obstacles, Doerr and his allies can offer politicians one of the most valuable assets in American politics: the imprimatur of the future. "That is the single most important part of this," says Schnur, the Republican consultant working with the Network. "People look to this community and they see the future. The National Widget Association can give the same amount of money, support the same candidates, and say the same thing, and they'd barely make a ripple.''

One of the greatest failings of the computer revolution has been the refusal of those at its forefront to participate in interpreting its meaning and implications for the rest of us. They do have an indispensible perspective -- one whose absence has diminished the political debate. But just because this mobilization is long overdue doesn't mean it's guaranteed to succeed. "There's a paradox in starting new ventures," says Doerr. "You need at once to have an incredible sense of urgency to get things done, because time is your enemy. But at the same time -- it seems like almost the exact opposite -- you've got to be patient. You've got to nurture these projects. Patience pays." In Silicon Valley, Doerr has been almost unrivaled in his mastery of this paradox. Now he faces the same test on a stage that is far more visible and, in many respects, far less forgiving.

Ronald Brownstein (Ronald.Brownstein@LATimes.com) is national political correspondent for the "Los Angeles Times."