Into the political Web

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 2/12/7 | Editor

[SmithL]

WARNING to political candidates: the Internet isn't always your friend. Ask John Edwards, Democratic presidential contender.

He had hired a pair of progressive women bloggers, thinking they'd help buff his street cred as the plain-talking advocate of liberal policies.

But past writings by the pair were never fully vetted and contained insulting posts on Catholic leaders and policies. After two days of cogitating, Edwards tried to finesse things: He was offended by the writings, but wouldn't fire either one.

Bloggers, hired or not, are creeping ever closer to the center of the political ring. They bring huge followings, unfiltered views and plenty of swagger. Edwards, struggling for oxygen in a crowded political tank, can't be blamed for trying them out.

Watch out, candidates. Bloggers don't submit their work to campaign central.

[SmithL]

Only conservative bloggers actually get fired.

[SmithL]

Crosslink: John Edwards protecting anti-Catholic campaign staff members

[Teófilo]

Thanks!

-Theo

[Schnucki]

This is just another case of a guy paying a girl to talk dirty.

[DPMD]

"Progressive" women bloggers. Thank you for defining progressive for us. I always thought that progressive was synonymous with anti-god, anti-Christian, brainless, child-murdering crapmouthed nazis, and this pretty much nails it down.