W. E. Messamore

Wesley is the regional editor for the Eastern United States. An entrepreneurship major and graduate of Belmont University, Wes believes that small business, innovation, and creative thinking are required to solve problems and improve our world. One of America’s growing number of Independents, Wes has never registered with any political party, but describes himself as a libertarian (note the lower-case “L”) and holds individual liberty as a key ingredient of good public policy.

Bob Morris

Bob is the Western Regional director for IVN. He has been blogging since 2003 on progressive politics, the economy, renewable energy, cleantech, and antiwar matters. He helped organize antiwar protests from 2004-2007, some of which were massive. A registered Independent, his politics tend towards left-wing populism. He has lived in Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Francisco, currently splitting his time between San Jose and Utah. He is especially interested in issues that transcend party lines and bring people together.

Jane Susskind

Jane is the current Community Manager at IVN, in charge of all social media channels for the network. With a B.A. in Political Science and Religion from the University of California, San Diego, she has always been involved in politics, working as a government relations intern in the Sacramento Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and down in the San Diego Office of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Focusing on the growing importance of online communications in the political sphere, her role is to facilitate conversations, allow for open dialogue, and update you on what’s going on with IVN and in politics.

Shawn M. Griffiths

Shawn has been outspoken about politics since 2001, but has been actively involved in Texas grassroots efforts since 2005. He was a member of the non-partisan, independent organization,Young Conservatives of Texas, during his years at the University of North Texas, and held several positions within the organization. Shawn is a blogger/writer living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. His political philosophy is founded on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. He is not affiliated with any political party, and has great appreciation for intellectual independence and objective truth.

Matt Metzner

Proud Californian. Politically moderate. Graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law. Contributions focus on daily news updates, national political news, electoral reform, and international human rights. Connect @MattMetzner