I know many of you are angry at the advertisers who pulled out of the site, as well as Kerry for pulling the dKos link. Seriously, don't sweat that. Everyone has to make decisions based on their local circumstances, and if they feel being associated with this site harms them, then I have no bad feelings.
I don't need those ads, or that Kerry link, so it doesn't affect me personally (as much as the Freepers would like to think otherwise, jealous as they are of the increasing relevance of the progressive blogosphere).
On the other hand, those that stay should be worthy of praise. Please be lavish with it. For example, Ohio congressional candidate Jeff Seemann has decided to step up to the plate:
The Jeff Seemann for Congress campaign recently learned of the controversy brewing regarding www.dailykos.com
Blogs like Daily Kos are some of the best byproducts of the country we live in....a country that cherishes its' right to speak freely. Weblogs and other independent forms of expression are extremely important today because they allow for everyone's voice to be heard.
We were saddened to hear that three advertisers pulled their ads on the site because of the remarks posted on the blog. The comments may be controversial, but they are just as relevant. The ability to allow comments like those read on Daily Kos is a testament to the virtues this country was founded on, especially the right to free speech.
Our campaign has decided that because of the recent events we will step in and advertise on www.dailykos.com. We have made this decision for two reasons:
- We firmly believe in the First Amendment and everyone's right to say whatever he or she chooses on their own website.
- We refuse to allow our campaign to be bullied by the right wing like they bullied Kos' previous advertisers.
We entered this campaign for Congress based on courage and the desire to stand up to the Republicans who are destroying our country with huge deficits, unjustified wars, and a blatant disregard for Americans and the challenges they face in their daily lives.
We understand that the decision to launch this advertising campaign will attract attention, both positive and negative. We will make no statement regarding the actual content of Kos' controversial statement, but we will always stand up for his right to dissent. Furthermore, we are campaigning to return this country to a Democratic majority in Congress and we will not allow our message to be written or altered by our opposition.
Jeff is trying to raise $10,000 via his website. Let's double that goal.
And as a bonus, 1) the race is in Ohio (the more Democrats turn out for Seeman, the more votes Kerry will get in this must-win state), and 2) it's a potentially competitive seat. Bush won the district with 53 percent of the vote, not an overwhelming majority.