We Americans have an obsession with creating Top Ten lists at the close of every year, for reasons I have not bothered to figure out. So I woke up today deciding to create my own Top Ten list of the best political blogs in 2008. As with all Top Ten lists, this list is completely subjective and is based entirely on my personal experience in visiting various blogs over the past year. I'm sure many of you will disagree with my list, and will decry unforgiveable omissions from the list. Please share your two cents in the comments. And without further delay, here's my Top Ten Political Blogs of 2008.
10. Huffington Post. Although it has its flaws, HuffPo is still a blog I visit regularly because I often see news stories there that I don't see elsewhere. And for better or for worse, Huffpo had its share of "breaking" stories and posts this year, with the most notable example being Mayhill Flowers' posting of Obama's "bitter" comment.
9. Americablog. This was another political blog on my daily "must read" list in 2008, as it has been for several years now. I don't always agree with John Aravosis (although I usually do), but he sometimes covered and hammered home issues that others tried to ignore (the Rev. Warren issue being a recent example), and I often find myself being grateful for that.
8. Jack & Jill Politics. I became a regular reader of Jack & Jill for the first time in 2008. The blog bills itself as offering a "black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics," and in a year when we elected our first African American president I tried to seek out as many different African American political perspectives as possible. But in the end, I continue reading Jack & Jill for its political perspectives, period (no adjective needed).
7. DemConWatch. This was THE source for the best and most up-to-date information on the Dem superdelegates during the primaries (that all seems so long ago, doesn't it?).
6. Talking Points Memo. In 2008 TPM continued to offer an incisive and comprehensive look at each day's political news, and I often read "breaking" stories (truly breaking stories) first on this blog.
5. Jed Report. Nobody does a better job with video than Jed (how many times this year did we say "We need Jed to get the video!"?) Some of Jed's videos undoubtedly had an impact on the elections this year, most notably his "Hillary in Tuzla" video.
4. Daily Kos. You know this one had to be on the list. I visited and participated in this political blog more than any other in 2008, for reasons that should be obvious to everyone here.
3. Burnt Orange Report. Remember all the craziness with the Texas two-step primary/caucus? Where did we all go for the latest and most reliable news? Burnt Orange Report.
2. Mudflats. This regional blog was the best source of up-to-date information about the ethics investigation against Sarah Palin and all other Palin comedy and drama this year.
1. Five Thirty Eight. Nate Silver's blog became the "go-to" spot for many of us in order to make sense of all the polling data during this crucial election year. And "Poblano's" election-night predictions proved to be stunningly accurate.