While I of course was not pleased that I had to defend myself from the national slander over the weekend that I blogged for pay from Dean; I was also miffed of the standard that others seemed to think I was taking, with actually not blogging at all while doing consulting work for DFA. That is, the idea that if I was a consultant for any candidate, I would disclose the matter, and that I would not even blog. I've even seen comments out there suggesting that my actions in regard to blogging and working for Dean are the ‘gold standard’ against which others should be measured. What bullshit.
Let me be the first to disappoint the blogethicists, because if you believe that I'm your gold standard, take me down; I'm not the poster boy to hoist up on the ivory column as the standard of a blogger that works in politics. I do plenty of consulting that I don't disclose, and if it’s a political candidate I consult for, there are already FEC disclosure laws in place.
What the campus blogethicists don't understand is that we are at war out here every day on the frontlines as partisan Democratic activist bloggers against a Republican machine that uses whatever means it takes to win. So, if it's not against the law, I don't want to hear about it, because in the political arena, the first thing that matters in elections and campaigns is winning, with the only accountability being the electioneering laws of Congress. Only after winning do we have a chance at enacting a progressive agenda. Let me be very clear in what I'm advocating. I blog, and when I work in campaigns, the only standard that is applicable are those that the FEC demands.
For example, regarding the DaschleVThune Bloggers, they did nothing illegal in accepting compensation without disclosing, from Thune. The FEC disclosed the matter, and that's the end of the discussion in regards to political repercussions. Do they lack credibility? Of course, many would say so. Is there some ethical question? I'm not really one to care if there is, because did they break the law? No, and that's all that matters really, that's all that matters in the political arena.
And for the dogooders. The very lamest position I hear taken in the blogosphere is that all bloggers should volunteer to go along with some code of ethics, like journalists supposedly do, or even sillier, slap a graphic up to announce the bloggers adherence to The Code. How politically naive. All of you in that crowd, please, go talk with the Republicans about taking that up, and I surely hope you are successful. Look, if enough people have a problem with bloggers that are able to make a dime because of their expertise, then those disclosure-freaks need to work on passing a friggin law about it. Until that occurs, the point is moot.
For the readers that visit this blog. Having said all the above, I don't use my position as a blogger to tout races or candidates that I've worked for, because I personally would not do so, and that certainly includes asking others to give financially to candidates whom I happen to be consulting. Yes, I do hold myself to a higher standard than I advocate. Besides, there are very few political candidates I do work for; the money is better, and the work is less, in other fields.
And as it happens, there's a AZ puff piece in the Columbus Dispatch yesterday (I'll put the subscription article in the extended entry) on a currently non-political client (see, I’m going the extra mile here for ya) I work for, Jerry Springer. He's gotta new website launched today, www.SpringerOnTheRadio.com. Check it out, Jerry's gonna be on live from 9-12 AM EST every weekday, and the stations streaming online audio is available nationwide on the web starting today. That's right, Jerry is taking over Ohio Talk Radio.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
MICHAEL MECKLER, Columbus Dispatch
Jerry Springer launches his Cincinnati-based radio talk show Monday. Springer is seriously considering a run for Ohio governor next year, and many observers see the radio show as a way of burnishing his political credentials. After all, the Democrat and former mayor of Cincinnati has become far better known in recent years for his infamous television program and its regular exhibition of tawdry love triangles and brawls between romantic rivals.
Springer's media savvy extends beyond television and radio. For nearly a year, he has also been running one of the most effective political Web sites in the nation. First launched under the domain name MakeOhioBlue.org (and, after the November election, as JerryForOhio.com and soon to be changed to SpringerOnTheRadio.com), Springer's Web site has the standard features of a candidate site, including a way for visitors to join an e-mail list, and information on Springer's public appearances. What sets the Web site apart is the ability of visitors to post their own messages and engage in debate with others over issues in Ohio and national politics.
In other words, Springer's Web site really functions as a community Web log for Ohio Democrats. Web logs -- blogs, for short -- began to appear several years ago when ordinary individuals could easily set up home pages. Blogs originated as sort of online diaries, but political commentary has come to the fore on these sites. An entire culture has developed around blogging, and the feeling of empowerment that accompanies this form of self-publication has encouraged a new generation to become active in politics. The once obscure former Vermont governor Howard Dean famously tapped into their enthusiasm to become a serious contender for the Democratic presidential nomination.
What Dean managed to accomplish was not lost on Springer, whose longtime friend and political consultant Mike Ford worked on Dean's campaign. Springer hired two of the masterminds behind Dean's Internet strategy, Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas, to devise his site. Moulitsas is extremely well-known in the blogosphere -- the worldwide community of bloggers -- for his own Web log, The Daily Kos, which averages more than 250,000 visits each day.
The number of visits to Springer's Web site is far more modest, but Springer's communications director, Dale Butland, is extremely pleased. In the past election, the Web site promoted not only Sen. John Kerry's failed White House bid but, just as important, the candidacy of other Democrats on the Ohio ballot. The site ended up generating an energized core of volunteers who can be called upon should Springer choose to run for governor next year. Furthermore, the site's promotion of other Ohio Democrats engendered good will among some in the party establishment.
Butland believes that candidates at all levels are now going to be judged by how well their Web sites engage the public. "Anyone who runs for office is going to have to have a good Web operation," he said.
With the Internet becoming an increasing part of our daily lives, voters are coming to expect candidates to have professional-looking Web sites that are easy to use, that are filled with useful and timely information and that encourage public involvement in formulating policy positions. Springer's site fulfills these objectives admirably, though Butland is aware that a fancy Web site alone will not ensure victory at the ballot box.
"We all know that Howard Dean didn't get the nomination," Butland said.
Yet Springer's potential gubernatorial rivals -- Democrats and Republicans -- have a long way to go to match his presence on the Web. In this Internet Age, candidates who lack a credible Web site may also end up lacking a credible candidacy.
Michael Meckler is a journalist and historian who lives in Columbus.
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