I just sent this note to the Edwards campaign at about the same time as they released this statement. Didn't see the statement before I hit "send". So while the intent has more or less been carried out, it's still important to give them support, not only to continue to support their bloggers but to turn the spotlight on the hate from the right.
I have no idea if my note will be read by anyone there. I think it's important to encourage them to stand up, keep Marcotte and McEwan and more importantly to work to expose the hypocrisy of the right wing hate mongers. If you're an Edwards supporter it's incumbent upon you to contact the campaign. Even if you're not in the Edwards camp you should let him know how much it means that he's stood up, because although now it's Edwards they come for, they'll be after your guy or gal next.
Anyway, the letter after the jump...
re: the blogger "controversy"...I'll say for the record that Edwards is my candidate of choice. I think he offers an exciting means of forming a movement through action, not of standard political rhetoric.
However, and this is a big however...if he does not back Marcotte and McEwan and keep them on staff, then I will not support the campaign, either with action or with dollars.
The campaign, with Edwards taking the lead, needs to step up and call the right-wing noise machine on its hypocrisy. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michelle Malkin, Jonah Goldberg, Bill Donohue...all of them are raging hypocrites who have made careers based on what amounts to hate speech -- smearing opponents in the vilest of ways, spreading lies and innuendo, publishing addresses and phone numbers to invite harassment. All of this is clearly documented, most effectively by Glenn Greenwald, but also by many others. The laziness of the mainstream media serves only to perpetuate their lies.
This is a pivotal moment in how the Democratic nominees will respond to lies, hypocrisy and laziness. In 2004 John Kerry did not stand up to the "swift boaters". In 2002 the Democrats in Congress didn't stand up to those who called them traitors for daring to question the President on Iraq.
It's time for the Edwards campaign to show the rest of the Democrats in the field how to maintain a little spine and fortitude. The lesson began with the netroots candidates who carried the Dems to victory in the 2006 mid-term elections.
Stand up for Marcotte and McEwan. Expose the hypocrisy of the right-wing hate machine. Do the right thing.
If you want people to join a movement, show us that you are willing to stand up when the fight demands it. Don't be cowed by petty tyrants like this.
Stand up, please.