If you want to see an example of sloppy, lazy, irresponsible journalism, check out ABC News'
Politicians Court Bloggers in Vegas - Presidential Hopefuls Visit Blogging Convention
With a title like that, you'd think the article would contain some substance. You'd be wrong. You'd think there'd be some mention of the speeches given and the numerous discussion panels on such topics as energy or education. Wrong again.
What the piece provides the reader with is:
This story is based upon interviews of (Ana Marie)Cox and (Bryan)Preston by Bill Weir on "Good Morning American Weekend Edition."
Go read it. It's pathetic.
June 11, 2006 -- About 1,000 bloggers have congregated in Las Vegas this weekend to gear up for the 2008 presidential race -- and some of the potential candidates were there, too.
Gee, I thought the purpose of the convention was to meet in the flesh to discuss ways to build the party. Also, I heard that there might be some congressional elections to prepare for before 2008. I could be wrong, though. Thanks for setting me straight ABC.
The convention was organized by Markos Moulitsas, the founder of the liberal blog DailyKos.com and was attended by former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and former NATO commander Gen. Wesley Clark, all potential Democratic presidential contenders.
Really? Markos organized the convention? I thought it was organized by a contingent of volunteers led by Gina Cooper (many thanks).
And did the attendees listed above participate in any way? Perhaps even give a speech?
But still, possible candidates like Warner pulled out all the stops and spent $75,000 on a party for the bloggers.
"The party had a chocolate fountain and two ice sculptures, one made to look like a computer with DailyKos on the screen," Cox said. "They also served drinks like "kosmopolitans" and "kos-martinis. ... As they say on MTV, it was off the chain."
I guess not.
And who is this primary source named Bryan Preston?
Blogger Bryan Preston of the conservative blog HotAir.com said the blogging movement is for real, and politicians should take note.
"It probably will play a big role by hurting Democrats that try to move to the center," Preston said. "If you read the right-wing conservative blogs, well, they're all about ideas, whereas liberals do nothing but snipe and gripe at George W. Bush. They're all about power, winning the next election. Nothing else." [...]
Preston did not attend, but sent a spy to record the events. He said that if Democrats pay too close attention to the bloggers they will get dragged too far to the left and loose touch with voters.
Ahh -- the "fair and balanced" approach. Which explains this gem:
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. was conspicuously absent from the convention. She is notoriously disliked in the blogosphere -- especially in the liberal blogosphere.
That's right folks -- you're more apt to find Hillary bashing on the liberal side of the blogosphere than on the conservative side. Who knew?