The Politics of Blogger Prestige

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 09:56:54 PM EST
Tags: Blogosphere, Media (all tags)

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As always, speaking for me only.

Via Yglesias, Eric Alterman describes in stark terms what the MSM punditry dislikes about blogs:

Back in the pre-Internet days of yore, political punditry was the best job in journalism and one of the best anywhere. You could spout off on anything you wanted, and almost nobody would call you on it, much less find a place to publish and prove you wrong. . . . The advent of the Internet--particularly the blogosphere--has changed all that. Now, not only are the things pundits say and write preserved for posterity; there are legions of folks who track pundit pronouncements, fact-check their statements and compare them with previous utterances on the same and similar topics. . . .

All true, and brilliantly stated. But I worry about the same type of process happening with the blogs. Most Left bloggers are indeed quite good. Some, like Digby and Glenn Greenwald, are consistently brilliant. But no one should be immune from questioning and disagreement. I hope we can avoid the logrolling nature that became, and still is, the MSM punditry.

More...

I have always been someone who engages commenters. I like to think it is because I have always thought of myself as just one more commenter. Perhaps it is because I do not like to be disagreed with.

Whatever the reason, this cultivates a culture of give and take, challenge and response, that is healthy and bracing. Maybe I am worried about nothing, but I do hope we can engage each other, disagree with each other, point out deficiencies in each others' arguments. Otherwise, will we be acting out a miniversion of Animal Farm?

The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.

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The Politics of Blogger Prestige | 51 comments (51 topical)

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BTD, you have my vote of confidence. (5.00 / 5) (#1)
by cal11 voter on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:07:08 PM EST

Keep engaging your readers and commenters. It is the exchange of ideas that makes it interesting and fun.

: I thnk so (5.00 / 1) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:12:05 PM EST

I hope so too.

: Also (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by scarshapedstar on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:21:51 PM EST

It's a great way to differentiate yourself from all the conspicuously comment-free rightwing sites, or even worse, the (permanently disabled ) "registration only" sites like LGF and HotAir and their predictable Stalinist circle-jerks.

I have learned so much (5.00 / 4) (#4)
by Militarytracy on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:34:35 PM EST

from the many blogs I read and from the participation of the individual people who each bring their own wealth of knowledge. I wonder if American voters have ever had such an opportunity to be as informed as we have at this moment? In spite of a few bumps and bruises here and there I wouldn't trade what blogs have given me for anything except the end of the Iraq War, but that's it.

For me half the joy is realizing how much I don't (5.00 / 8) (#5)
by conchita on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:42:42 PM EST

know. I come here because IANAL and I learn from those who are. I also come because I do not find regurgitated mainstream media talking points or an endless chorus of yesses. Most arguments are well-developed and backed up with sources when appropriate. And while some push the envelope, there is substance behind it. I don't feel that TL is awash in cynicism or tinfoil. I appreciate that the perspectives I read educated and grounded in principle.

At times I wonder why some commenters spend as much time here as they do when their perspectives are, shall we say, contrary, but at times they help to illuminate a point being made and remind me of how others think.

And, of course, it's also nice not being labeled a purity troll. ;-)

I like tinfoil, though (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by magster on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:00:16 PM EST

More tinfoil please.


: I do tinfoil (none / 0) (#36)
by TexDem on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:58:03 PM EST

I usually qualify or declare before I do. But sometimes tinfoil's become reality.

Haven't you proved (5.00 / 2) (#6)
by andgarden on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:44:29 PM EST

that:

the same type of process happening with the blogs

ins't happening at all?

No (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:46:46 PM EST

I think I have been proving the opposite.


I'm talking about fact that you can sit (5.00 / 3) (#8)
by andgarden on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 10:49:52 PM EST

and criticize Stoller et al, and they tend to respond.

Of course, your megaphone over at orange was taken away--twice.


Stoller responds (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:00:45 PM EST

Not really.

And now he says he will not read me. Broke my heart.

As for daily kos, well, it is what it is now. I don't fit there anymore.


Can't tell if you're serious (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by andgarden on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:07:37 PM EST

about "broke my heart." But we'll let him figure that out.

It isn't entirely clear to me what's happening with DK. It almost seems to be dying at its high point. There's still lots to love, but it just isn't quite right.

Anyway, you've got your niche here, and it seems to be working out pretty well.


Heh (5.00 / 3) (#16)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:13:26 PM EST

Not serious at all.

I'll continue to hold his feet to the fire. For example his BS post praising OBama whose plan now is, get this, he'll work hard to find 67 votes to overirde Bush' veto.

This is what passes for serious discussion on getting out of Iraq now? Obama is a fraud. Pure and simple.

Edwards kicked his ass 6 ways to Sunday.

You need to read what he said.

He knows what needs to be done. But he needs to say yes to Reid Feingold and stop messing around.

Not because Reid Feingold will pass but because it will set the marker - NO funding after March 31, 2008.

I am heartily sick to death of Barack Obama and so called progressives who seem not to give two craps about actually ending the war.


I think I understand where that's coming from (5.00 / 1) (#24)
by andgarden on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:30:24 PM EST

People want to feel good about the home team. Anyway, I stand by what I said earlier: I do still really like Obama; I don't like this story that he's taking advice from Tom Daschle, though. He'd do much better to get an angry lecture from Harry Reid.

I won't retread what I think abougt Edwards, but I will say that if the primary were held today, I'd probably vote Richardson, or write in Ed Rendell.


Well (5.00 / 3) (#28)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:41:43 PM EST

President Bush has promised to veto that funding, calculating that he can use the bully pulpit to intimidate Congress and get them to back down.
But this is not the time for political calculation, this is the time for political courage. This is not a game of chicken. This is not about making friends or keeping Joe Lieberman happy. This is about life and death--this about war. We are done letting George Bush manipulate the rhetoric of patriotism, only to use our troops as political pawns. If Bush vetoes funding for the troops, he's the only one standing in the way of the resources they need. Nobody else.
Congress must stand firm. They must not write George Bush another blank check without a timeline for withdrawal--period. If Bush vetoes the funding bill, Congress should send another funding bill to him with a binding plan to bring the troops home. And if he vetoes it again, they should do it again.
The American people are overwhelmingly in favor of ending this war. If our side stands firm, if we show courage now, we can finally bring our troops back home and bring this war to an end.
Thank you.

I'll be honest (5.00 / 2) (#29)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:42:41 PM EST

After that, if Edwards can endorse Reid-Feingold, I am ready to endorse him.

That's the best stuff I have heard yet from anybody.


: If Gore doesn't come out (5.00 / 1) (#32)
by conchita on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:51:35 PM EST

I am probably headed that way too. Although I am more impressed by Richardson than I expected. It is too early for me to say with any real certainty.

: Understood (5.00 / 2) (#33)
by andgarden on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:53:30 PM EST

But my instinct is still to ponder how he might have voted on this.
I'm hot and cold about Edwards. Everything he says sounds right--his closing statement at the end of the VP debate in 2004 damn near had me in tears--but I just don't think much of his time in the Senate. It's like he's been able to push all of my buttons--good and bad.
If he's our nominee, or somehow inspires Congress next week to do the right thing, I'll get behind him, tail between legs.

On Edwards kicking butt (5.00 / 4) (#30)
by TexDem on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:48:27 PM EST

I believe he cut his teeth taking on the big boys of Corporate America in the courtroom. Communicating with people/juries is what he does. Telling stories, that's what a good lawyer and a good salesman have in common, the narrative they weave for their audience/client/jury.

Last time out he didn't listen to his instincts. I think he learned that lesson. His and Elizabeth's voices are all he needs to listen to at this time. Screw the so-called experts who have done nothing for Dems in over twenty-five years.


I don't get the sense there is any cohesion (5.00 / 2) (#17)
by conchita on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:14:51 PM EST

or driving force. It feels to me like there are still people with heart there, but their voices seem to get lost somehow. I almost get the sense that people have given up or are just glad to be lead by the beltway.


: It used to be fun (5.00 / 3) (#20)
by andgarden on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:24:51 PM EST

And now it's like trying to wade through a zoo housed in a very nice library that has personnel issues.

I am sorry to say but dkos (none / 0) (#14)
by conchita on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:11:44 PM EST

seems to have become a chorus of yesses. It surprises me that more people have not found there way here, but I expect it will happen with time. If there was someone at TL like meteor blades, mataliandy or adam seigel who posted on environmental/energy issues, it might draw others like me who are also enmeshed in those topics. I don't know that building readership is an objective or concern, just thinking outloud.


Talk Left (5.00 / 3) (#18)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:15:07 PM EST

is not me.

I am privileged to post here thanks to the wonderful Jeralyn.

She gives me a platform to write what I want to write about.

But Talk Left is not going to be that type of site even though J wonderfully tolerates that type of blogging by me.


I am thankful that she does and also (5.00 / 2) (#19)
by conchita on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:23:01 PM EST

for her posts as well. I read all three of you, but she has been particularly good the past few days - her Gitmo post and the heads up about the women over fifty article at Huff Post (not there yet, but it's good to hear that it's not all over after the big 5-0).

However, I have a feeling that many more from dkos will be looking for another home, like dkmich the other night.


Well (none / 0) (#22)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:29:17 PM EST

The more the merrier.


OT / Point of interest (5.00 / 1) (#34)
by TexDem on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:54:38 PM EST

Is there a way to get the time stamp set to EDT instead of EST it's confusing sometimes to this ADHD brain of mine.


: I'll try (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by Big Tent Democrat on Tue Apr 10, 2007 at 11:58:45 PM EST
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