Thursday, July 03, 2008

Old bloggers, new bloggers...

Peacocks and Lillies notes one interesting aspect of the instantly-infamous Kos break with Obama. In his piece, Moulitsas states that he had intended to send the largest possible donation to Obama, until the FISA turnaround forced the Chief Cheeto to consider sending his money elsewhere.

Conclusion: Moulitsas (who is very well off) has never given a dime to the campaign he has championed for months. What a sport!

What will he do with the dough? I suppose the death squads back in El Salvador can always use some help...

A note on style. The race goes not to the swiftest, nor the battle to the strongest. Markos Moulitsas has become the most successful left-wing blogger in the history of the internet even though he is a shoddy wordsmith. Consider:
Finally, he reinforced right-wing and media talking points that Wes Clark had somehow impugned McCain's military service when, in reality, Clark had done no such thing.
That's one point.
Could've fooled me, and maybe he is.
I am America, and so can you.
Now I know there's a contingent around here that things Obama can do no wrong, and he must never be criticized, and if you do, well fuck you!
Who is to be fucked -- members of that contingent, or those who criticize?
...they're going to necessarily lose some intensity of support.
Some writers feel compelled to necessarily split infinitives.

As you read these examples, ignore the sentiments. Look at the clumsiness of expression.

Some readers will call me envious. I don't care. Moulitsas stands damned by the evidence of his own cyber-ink. Mom said: "Don't criticize others unless you can do better yourself." Well, I can.

More importantly, so can many of the commentators who have become better-known as a result of the intra-party Democratic rift. If you want prose with flair and color, check out some of the links to your left. Riverdaughter, Anglachel, AnnaBelle and the others all do great work.

Force of habit maintains a readership for the very familiar sites. But how well do those aging blogs serve their clientele?

Let's put it another way. Is Josh Marshall even trying anymore? He is, or was, or can be, insightful and witty. But when was the last time he turned a memorable phrase?

The Democratic divide has left many people feeling hurt. It has also introduced many readers to new talent.

7 comments:

Perry Logan said...

I never understood why people went to DailyKos, even before the place went bad. Both the writing and the thinking are strictly second rate.

not a dem anymore said...

If you want the truth you have to search for it these days....I read a piece this morning saying Obama voted against the war...He didn't have a vote...he was not in the senate when that vote happened... people believe he was because they say it...
Flip-flops. So what?
http://tinyurl.com/3ul5ng

"Further, the tag of being a flip-flopper just won't have the same connotation or effect it did in 2004. McCain recently executed his own flip-flop on the policy of opening of unleased public lands to oil drilling, after changing his mind on the Bush tax cuts. Furthermore, throughout this campaign, the public hasn't really paid attention to Obama's shifts, such as his support for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act bill, even though it carries a provision he promised to filibuster, or his retreat from a protectionist stance on NAFTA. With his vote against the Iraq war and the political success of his refusal to support McCain and Hillary Clinton's "gas tax holiday," Obama has earned enough "strong leadership" currency to last quite awhile."

OTE admin said...

I've about given up on the so-called Big Blogs. Most of them aren't even that great in the first place.

Kos was at the right place at the right time, and he's made a pile of money doing it. I can't fault him for finding a way to make easy money by doing virtually nothing. However, his main problem is he is on the take. His faux criticism of Obama is just another way to rack up donations.

2Truthy said...

Isn't this all so timely? As the Good Ship Kos hits an iceberg, that OTHER Greek with the thick accent who runs the privately held, vc backed, all-things-Obama blog just took Barry to the woodshed (insert shock here.)

Don't forget that Arianna 'loved' Albert Gore BEFORE Obama...
could these two "A-List" Greek bloggers be preening the O'Faithful for the Ultimate Grand Dragon, Al Gore, to carry the roses? How *exciting*!

http://tootruthy.blogspot.com/2008/07/we-cant-make-it-here-anymore.html

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Saturn conjunct Pluto, Round III, Mr. Obama. Good luck! Or...not.

Anonymous said...

If Kos were to contribute to Obama now, it could only be used for the general election. All the primaries are done. The primary and general election funds are separately raised and strictly segregated.

Obama couldn't spend for the general election until he became the assured nominee. That was only a couple of weeks ago. So this is not a long time of Kos' not contributing; it is a short time.

It is only a long time if you think he should have contributed during the primary season. If so, you'd be arguing symbolism over substance, since Obama's fund raising bettered HRC's by considerable margins from Iowa forward. He never lacked for money resources.

...sofla

Anonymous said...

sofla, I don't follow your logic here. The point is that Lord Kos spent the last several months doing everything he could to elevate Obama and trash Clinton and he couldn't even be bothered to reach for his wallet?

Cannonfire: I completely agree with you about discovering new talent. My blogroll has completely changed in the last year, and I am constantly amazed at the talet out there.