Posted on 07/03/2007 6:14:24 PM PDT by neverdem
Political activism on the Internet -- and in the so-called blogosphere, in particular -- has long been considered a liberal stronghold. But conservative bloggers show increasing signs of their own coming of age.
They took a major leap forward by playing a central role in scuttling the Senate immigration bill. Meanwhile, many of the most popular talk-radio hosts are now posting on blogs, and the frequent collaboration of the two media is creating a unified conservative voice that is likely to be an important factor in the 2008 elections.
One example: Fred Thompson, the actor and former Tennessee senator, was posting his ABC Radio commentaries and other opinion pieces on popular conservative opinion sites for several months before he took the first steps toward a White House run.
But the immigration bill marked the first time conservative Web logs could claim to have targeted and derailed a major piece of legislation. The triumph underscored their increasing influence and signaled that the balance of online power may be evening out in the political arena.
The confluence of blogs and conservatives' dominance on radio is an especially potent mix. Talk-radio and conservative bloggers don't always work hand in hand, but they have been effective when they do.
The Bush administration was forced to withdraw former White House Counsel Harriet Miers's nomination to the Supreme Court after conservatives on talk radio and on blogs complained about the choice. Currently, the two are railing against talk by some Democrats about bringing back the "Fairness Doctrine," which required broadcasters to balance coverage on controversial topics.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Despite a recent House vote against it, talk radio is still being threatened by the resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine. With the near evisceration of McCain - Feingold Campaign Finance Reform Act by the Supreme Court and the failure of the comprehensive "Shamnesty" in the Senate, the neoCOMs will be pushing harder for the Fairness Doctrine. Call talk radio. Use that as an opening to push for a Constitutional Amendment to give Congress term limits.
What about Harriet Myers’ appointment to the Supreme Court and the Dubai ports deal? The WSJ must have missed those instances of conservative “shock and awe.”
I feel bad for suggesting Tony Snow replace Scott McLellan. He was much better as an independent-minded talk-show host reading our FR posts...
Dude, read!
The problem is that the mainstream beltway right just noticed that we are here, and powerful!
Usually if Rush is talking about something, it's old news. Often I've read about the issues he's discussing several days before on Free Republic.
And we are numerous and LOUD; and speed dial and email tirelessly.
Bingo!
You must have missed that instance in the WSJ article.
Oh yah, it was definitely your suggestion that made it happen.
Didn’t you get the memo...? ;^)
Thanks for the link.
Maybe Mike McCurry is available?
Rush just needs a fourth wife to hide his golf clubs. He's just having more fun than a human being should be allowed to have. Ann Coulter could make him pay attention. Or Laura Ingraham. Or both of them together :-)
Demand a border fence! Build it NOW!! Beef up the border patrol and close our borders!
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White House comments: (202) 456-1111
Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep
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Courtesy of a pro-amnesty group, no less!!
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE Washington, D.C. 20003
phone: 202.863.8500 | fax: 202.863.8820 | e-mail: info@gop.com
Take a look at their hidden agenda: http://www.mexica-movement.org
1) Dems still have not pulled the funding for the war. They may still do so, but they've been in charge since January. Even now, they are only talking of withdrawing SOME numbers, not all. And that's what the idiots on the Left really want.
2) Leiberman lost his primary, but they couldn't convince a majority in CT not to vote for him.
3) Succeeding in getting the Dems to reject a FOX sponsered debate is a lightweight success.
So far, conservatives derailing the Miers nomination, taking down Rather, pushing Roberts and Alito, and derailing this amnesty have had heavier successes for all the talk of the left 'net' numbers and money.
Even the Democrats winning a majority is questionable as a "success" for them, since republicans had done more then enough on their own to alienate the public. Didn't the kos leader? himself state they needed to work at winning in a year where everything wasn't going their way?
I do agree the 'net and radio in tandem is powerful, but only when obsessively focused on one issue. For a republican candidate in '08 to win, these two mediums MUST be united obsessively toward that one goal. So far, that isn't the case. Rudy and McCain cannot unify. Mccain would actuall inspire a passion to take him down. Romney I have my doubts. Thompson? He appears the best bet, so far, but I don't think we'll have an answer about him until september or maybe as late as the first primary.
Conservatives want nothing less than a REAL conservative this time, not someone that says something conservative. If they don't get it, hillary being the nominee is not going to inspire enough passion on its own to give the "r" nominee a chance. Anymore then it worked for Kerry on the opposite side.
Rising wages prompt firm to pull out of India(outsourcing outliving its merit?)
Immigration Bill Dead For Now -- Gun owners unheralded in media, but played a huge role... GOA has its unique perspective. Happy Fourth Of July!
From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.
>>Meanwhile, many of the most popular talk-radio hosts are now posting on blogs,
Jeez, Neal Boortz has been posting his program notes, pretty much every weekday morning, for 7-8 *years*. And Rush for longer than that, I do believe.
In other words, this is very much *not* a new phenomenon. How clueless is the Wall Street Journal about new media?
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