The Blogosphere’s Political Impact
An interesting report was issued this week regarding the impact of political bloggers, particularly the liberals or “progressives.” (I don’t understand why the Left desires to use “progressive” in lieu of “liberal.” Even if they believe this massages the radicialism out of the liberalism, any American who is semi-intelligent will see beyond such linguistic tomfoolery).
The report, entitled “Emergence of a Progressive Blogosphere: A New Force in American Politics,” attempts to argue that liberal bloggers are gaining ground politically through the blogosphere and already carry internet trophies commemorating their enterprising successes.
What is interesting are the “successes” attributed to both liberal and conservative bloggers. In most cases, the successes attributed to liberal bloggers were glorified failures. Conservatives, however, can legitimately claim victories:
Liberal
Outcome: John Bolton was appointed by President Bush as a recess appointment. John Bolton is the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.
Outcome: The Downing Street Memo was mentioned by the press. So what? The memo’s bite was a supposition by a British staffer that the Bush Administration planned to get rid of Saddam before possesses adequate intelligence or evidence to support a war in Iraq. A mere supposition hardly is an accusation or evidence of vindictive intent on Bush to eliminate Saddam without assessing his threat to our national security.
Outcome: This success claim is the most legitimate. President Bush’s social security plan is in the works for next year, however. Thus, at best this success could be described as “defeating W.’s social security plan in 2005.” That’s it.
Outcome: First key word: little. Second key word: noticed. Third key word: affair. Result: If success is measured by hitting the pages of the New York Times, perhaps the authors of the report need to look at the dwindling subscription numbers of the Gray Lady.
Outcome: Hackett lost. If losing is succeeding, the liberals and liberal bloggers are doing a bang-up job.
Conservative
Outcome: Daschle lost to John Thume in the Senate race in South Dakota. Quite a success to clean-out Daschle, although I believe other conservative interest groups like the Club for Growth influenced the race more than the bloggers. Success #1
Outcome: Excellent book by John O’Neill and Jerome Corsi and. New York Times bestseller. Millions read it. Key component in defeating John Kerry. Success #2
Outcome: Jordan made stupid comments alleging U.S. soldiers were deliberating shooting at journalists. Jordan was fired as a result. Success #3
Outcome: Labeling Dan Rather’s deliberate use of a forged memorandum in an attempt to tarnish President Bush’s military service a “charge” implies that the authors of the report believe the charge is untrue. Perhaps, they need to re-educate themselves, but the impish habit liberals have of ignoring the truth in order to push their agenda is hard to break. The truth to Rathergate is here. Rather was forced to recant, even though he still maintains that the memorandum is authentic. Success #4
The authors of the report, Chris Bowers and Matthew Stoller, belie their claim that “progressive bloggers” success on the internet trumphs conservative victories. Even as bloggers, they still seek to liberally spin the truth in order to justify success or rally their cause. The report is interesting, but bogged down in spin. They are right about one thing though: the blogosphere is the campaign headquarters of the future.