Blogs the New Media?

I heard one time that alot of people point to major new media outlets causing poltical re-alignments in this country. For example, Next Gingrich used CSPAN and talk radio to his advantage to retake Congress in 1994.
Anyway, this begs the question; will blogs be the next "new media" that influences politics"? Obviously the verdict is still out on how effective blogs will become at being a viable news source. Even so, you have to ask yourself if blogs are the next big thing, who will be able to take best advantage of them to drive their political party into power?
It seems that right now bost sides have pretty solid blog presences with RedState on the GOP side and DailyKos on the dem side. Virginia too has solid representation on both sides with Commonwealth Conservative and Shaun Kenney on the GOP side and RaisingKaine and Virginia Progressive on the dem side.

It seems to me that the biggest asset blogs pose to the political process is the ability to do a "hatchet job" on someone without direct campaign connection. As we have seen recently, several attacks have been launched first through the blogs to see if it catches or not. If it does, the job is done and the targeted candidate suffers. If it does not make traction, the attacking campaign does not have to take responsibility for it and nothing happens to them.

I don't think blogs will be considered a huge determinant in this year's elections, but I think very soon campaigns will realize the value of blogs. The question is whether the bloggers will take on the job of being the campaign henchmen.

What does everyone else think about the future of blogs?