The blogosphere and the partisan fault line (WITH VIDEO)
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The new Walt Minnick campaign ads don't break any new ground.
The ads tout the former CEO's business experience and military service. They do not mention specific issues or incumbent GOP Rep. Bill Sali. They also include the footage of Minnick hunting and fishing, a must in a congressional district where outdoor recreation and Second Amendment rights are held sacred.
What is interesting is the way the campaign's soft release of the ads, which begin airing today. John Foster, spokesman for the Democratic candidate, e-mailed links to the ads Monday to more than a dozen media bloggers and Democratic activist bloggers.
It's one small example of the way Democratic candidates are openly courting coverage from Idaho bloggers. None of this is surprising; before joining the state Democratic Party a year ago, Foster was an Idaho Business Review staffer and a prolific blogger.
While Democratic campaigns are viewing the blogosphere as a way to get the word out, some Republicans view the blogosphere with open disdain.
An online video clip of GOP Senate candidate Jim Risch is doctored for cheap laughs; the video depicts Risch with a gnome's hat and a high-pitched voice to match. (Click here for Serephin's blog at 43rd State Blues, and here's the clip).
The video also depicts Risch, on the campaign stump, drawing a pointed distinction between the left-wing activist bloggers and the "legitimate" media. This comment struck a nerve with ace blogger D.F. Oliveria of the Spokane Spokesman-Review. "That reveals a lack of understanding of the democratically based new media, which is rapidly coming of age and can't be tamed by dissing it or ignoring it," Oliveria wrote Monday.
"It'll be interesting to see how Idaho's political blogosphere develops. It'll also be interesting to see when Idaho Republicans wake up and start taking the blogosphere seriously."
I can understand why Republican veterans such as Risch are suspicious of the blogosphere — and not just when a mischievous blogger fits Risch with a goofy gnome's cap. The Idaho blogosphere leans clearly to the left.
But Republicans dismiss this medium at their peril.
There's a reason why traditional newspapers encourage writers like me to spend time blogging; we see a growing medium that allows us a new forum to connect with readers. Increasingly, candidates such as Minnick are viewing it as a way to connect with voters.
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The blogosphere of the left
Great points KR.
And yes, the blogosphere has become the Left's talk radio, dominated for years by the Right.
Political talk radio remains strong, but you have to wonder for how long, especially with satellite radio, and of course the blog world.
It will be interesting too as studies are done on "relevance" and "influence" of new media. "New" being a relative term, just as the blogosphere is a foreign entity to many of my fellow "R's."
The Dems have certainly taken the blog ground by storm.
For the record ...
In a subsequent e-mail, I also sent the links yesterday to Dennis Mansfield, a conservative and Sali supporter who also happens to be a blogger and a good guy. The blogosphere IS expanding, and it's not limited to one side or the other. As Olivera (no liberal himself) astutely observes, people who treat the Internet as a purely partisan or illegitimate endeavor risk missing the point of the medium altogether.
John Foster
Minnick for Congress
Excellent point John
I hope Kevin gets it.
Question
What is the point we're missing? If there's something we should be doing differently, let me know.
Kevin Richert
editorial page editor
You got it
Kevin. I was miffed that you didn't link to 43sb. The blogosphere is symbiotic. Linking to each other makes it vibrant.
Missing the point
John Foster, I agree entirely, but I think mtomlin made the point about talk radio too. The libs tried it but never caught on...and of course they missed out, they also pretty much quit - which I think was your point.
Right now they rule this medium but I suspect will not always. Even the R's will figure it out and offer more than just Buckley's site...
Great topic, gotta go, I think I have a message from the Hillary campaign...
Actually, point well taken
Plenty of folks ignored talk radio for too long. We've actually done a lot of talk radio on Walt's campaign for Congress, and have found hosts and callers to be polite, respectful and inquisitive -- even when they occasionally disagree with Walt. There are some in that genre who are not at all polite, and those folks make a lot of noise. But the majority are cool, and we enjoy being on the programs.
I think people who disdain the blogosphere would find it's exactly the same way.
Mr Richert.....
Advertise the Statesman's online blogs. I've been on them and thay are DOMINATED by democrats & Obamans & the discussions there are insulting & shallow. Your online Statesman could be an interesting & educational place if more diverse(& civil) opinions were represented. Thanks.
Huh?
"thay are DOMINATED by democrats & Obamans & the discussions there are insulting & shallow."--oh yeah, you are the height of civility, Apey. More narrow minded, spelling challenged, result oriented people would make it diverse and civil?
That's bizarre...
I thought they were full of pot and alcohol jokes, hooker jokes, whatever the crap is going on in Boise joke, Bronco/Vandal sparring, swipes at whichever editor was responsible for the newest scandal about "Larry Craig"/gays and dog poop and just general insanity in it's same generality.
Where have you been hiding this website and what is the 'egg' I need to get Mario into the World?
You've explained the entire problem to me already.
Idaho Dusiness Review everything. So there are NO OTHER SOULS in IDAHO who are any good in media and politics other than IBR or Don Day?
Okay. I can hope the best for Idaho Democrats. So who is actually out there trying to win an election and will the bullets in feet necessitate amputation?
Good luck. Don't rely on blog spin for a million voters.
plutarch....
...as you are one of the "open minded" lefties that so dominate the Statesman's blogs,I can only assume your lame attack on me is a rejection of my request & hope for more objective,informed & civil folks than you demonstrate yourself to be. You are typical of the bloggers I'm talking about on Online Statesman. My responses to you and many,many,many others on these blogs,which you tried to characterize,can be subsumed under the tactic of fighting fire with fire.You have been a blogger FAR longer than I. You must enjoy name calling & irrational blather. I admit,it can be a friggin blast---especially with you guys.
Look in a mirror
You started the attack Apey referring to Democrats and Obama supporters as shallow and insulting. You want to start a civil conversation, we're game. But once you start shoveling your crap then you can expect to get it back. Democrats have been accused of taking it on the chin. No more. Our country is too important for that.
Republicans had their run. They emptied the treasury, mortgaged our children's future, made hundreds of thousands of new enemies, alienated our friends in the world, and trashed just about every conservative principle along the way. Americans see that and will seek a new direction since we're no unsure for which you stand. If you can persuade us that this is folly please have at it. But expect that if you say something really silly or unsupported by the facts we'll point it out. How we'll do that depends not only on the individual blogger but also on the tone you set.
I spend time on many blogs where both sides can enjoy a civil conversation and those can be enlightening and persuasive. And I don't agree with you on these pages filled with lefties. I don't spend much time here because of the lack of civility. I really hope Kevin or someone else can establish some rules and begin the moderation like DFO on HBO. I think that's what it will take.
A mirror for all
Good post...eh, except for where you misunderstand the Republicans' achievements.
I think we don't need KR - the rules are along the side, sadly, the left side (smile), but there just the same.
Challenge beliefs, challenge conclusions, challenge interpretations, challenge facts for support, but don't challenge peoples' convictions, nor insult them personally. It's not that hard.
And Plutarch is right - our country is too important to play insult games - yo mamma is ugly, this candidate is a butthead and all politicians are crooks - silliness. I would say leave that to children but children should know better.
I'll work on it too. Let's push back with our ideas not our emotions. We can raise the level of discussion. This is a great forum we have here - free - constant - wow, let's appreciate it, and each other.
I didn't mean we don't need KR - just don't need him to set the rules or be the hall monitor.
"And Plutarch is right"
No I'm left. ;-) Thanks Mike. But we will need a hall monitor. Just look at the place. Many of the most prolific posters are the worst transgressors.
Now about those
achievements? I'm trying real hard to imagine what you might be talking about.
No problems would be a big problem.
Perfect petri dish
The nature, tone, and direction of this discussion thread since I looked at it the first time, about 24 hours ago when there were three cogent comments, is a perfect example of why the blogosphere is irrelevant in any serious discussion. KR, did you plan this?
Plutarch is RIGHT??? Really !
I've been on some of the statesman's blogs a short time. Plutarch claims these blogs aren't populated mostly by lefties.COUNT'EM! The majority leftists are't INSULTING,plutarch claims.READ'EM! I rest my case(boy,that was easy). Mikeb, I asked only that the Statesman advertise MORE in an attempt to get a more balnced,diverse & civil group of posters.Anything wrong with that?
They put links in each print section and run banners too?
Do want it on TV?
CHANNEL SIX NEWS practically sells in on the streetcorners! The Journal people mention it on the radio too!
I can't help if you were playing with Scorpions on the Eagle : )
Do you actually LISTEN to NPR?
Touche' Grape Ape...
I'm not left nor right.
I'm the surviving fragments. Someday you'll recognize this in yourself. Have fun with all that.
MikeB, blogs are irrelevant to serious discussion you say.
Not necessarily. Blogs,if read selectively & with discernment can be relevant & even informative.I'd suggest blogs have created MORE public discussion than existed prior to them.That bad? Separate the wheat from the chaf & much can be learned,much thought provoked. Uncivil discussion has been a large part of US political history & we've survived.A perfectly civil nation would not be a free nation. All I ask is more posters be sought for the Statesman's blogs in an attempt to reduce the pretty substantial amount of chaf.Substantial issues,largely ignored by the general media & deemed politically incorrect in the more gentile & unfree circles CAN be debated with abandon on blogs.That is a GOOD thing.Blog on,pilgrim.
Learn to fit, Mikey. We all have to if we want to be EFFECTIVE
You don't even have to be LIKED to have a place in any hierarchy.