Posted on 03/07/2007 6:57:43 PM PST by Bob J
I have diligently watched the rise in size and influence of conservative websites, including Free Republic, over the last 7-8 years. I have been shocked and concerned over the drop in traffic at the most popular ones over the last year or so. There was good growth up until 2006 but since then there has been a steady downtrend that would crash any other market.
Anyone have any ideas as to what is happening? I'm out of explanations. The deficiencies in alexa.com are noted, but even if the numbers aren't accurate you're still comparing off numbers to off numbers so the decline is consistent.
As with most things in life, the creme rises to the top, the rest go sour...
Here's your chance. You know you want to.
I pale in comparison to your nastiness, which is legendary.
I don't think this is something liberals can be blamed for. THINGS CHANGE. Times change...situations change. And if you don't want to change, that's fine. But that's how things become extinct. Sorry.
Don't be so modest. Now, if you'd care not to hijack the thread for your ego.
Unfortunately the libertarian vs. conservative thingy led to our first big blowout on FR...the Dec '98 "Night of the Long Knives"...heheh
There have been other nights of the long knives.
A number, myself included, were threatened with banning when we voiced opposition to the political hukster Alan Keyes, who has now left the GOP for the Constitution Party.
This left a bad taste in the mouths of some of the most intelligent Freepers, some of whom decided to go elsewhere.
Some of the damage to Free Republic was self-inflicted.
"Probably the widening gulf of inconsistency between the stated philosophy and the real-life actions of the Republican Party got to be too much for many people."
Close enough.
Wouldn't be prudent at this juncture ;)
That thread has been one of the most depressing developments on FR in the time I've been here.. 2 years and 9 months.
Everytime that header pops up on Latest Posts, my spirit sinks.
How about this: A lot of conservatives has realized that they wasted their time the last 10 years fighting for GOP control of gov't, since the GOP has turned out to be bigger spenders than the dems ever were. Therefore, they have lost interest.
You're not one but would you like to be in the contending? You could be a runner up if you'd like. All you'd have to do is find someone who doesn't agree with you on an issue, call them a really bad name (retread, SOB, idiot, etc)
Going to have to leave for a bite, but I guess the next question is how do we keep FR relevent?
After years of fawning coverage by the MSM of liberal websites, those sites still can't best conservatives.
But, if you have an agenda, you might just look at half the equation.
A related problem are posters who smear border control members with charges of inciting murder.
This is an echo of the hard left's old line of charging 'racism' to silence all debate, and it's equally dishonest.
I have to agree with your post #115. In California we are losing so much ground because unelectable candidates are put up by the Republican party. We need redistricting and open primaries - otherwise it is just the fringe and often inept candidates that win the primary but lose out in the general.
Jackson, you win.
I have read you long enough to know that's what you live for.
Fixed it...
I, for one, just don't care anymore. Why bother? We lose at every turn. Bush stabs us in the back and is incompetent. Those in power can't fight the liberal left because they don't even try.
The borders are erased. Our soldiers are abandoned. Bush is a fool. The bureaucracy rules and is totally on the left. The majority of Americans are fools. We can't win.
It's bread and circuses and we are doomed. Fortunately the first to go will be the left when NY, and San Fran and DC and Chicago, etc. are nuked first.
And don't give me the pep talk. It's over.
That question might be premature. It might be more revealing to ask what everyone will do if Guliani wins the Republican nomination then try to determine whether there is a common cause for relevancy.
Free Republic is about the only conservative discussion web site I go to. My only complaint about the web site is when ever one expresses an opinion that might not lean the conservative way, people are quick to call you a troll, or other names, worst of all liberal. I like to play devils advocate on various topics, like the hypocrisy of some talk show host's, and other controversial events of the day. I am amazed how I will be called a moron without anyone ever addressing my points that I bring up. Don't get me wrong, some liberal sites like News hound are not any better, but I expect the name calling from those sites. I like to have good old fashion debate without being insulted. I think that might be why some of these conservative sites might be losing traffic.
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