In which I examine another popular form of YouTube political commentary: videos edited to make politicians appear inconsistent.
-James K.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Grass Roots Planted In Cyberspace - John Edwards' Campaign Leads the Field In Political Use of Social Networking Sites
Excerpt:
"If there's a social networking site that John Edwards is not a part of, we'd like to know what it is, pronto.
No one's sure exactly what role these sites -- a.k.a. socnets -- will play in the upcoming election. But whatever it is, Edwards isn't taking any chances. The man's flooding the zone. He's on the big ones: Flickr, YouTube, Facebook, et al., where supporters and well-wishers are sending their best to his wife, Elizabeth. Writes a fan on MySpace this week: "Washington State sends you love and health. Lots of love to you and Elizabeth. Stay strong!!!" Edwards is also on some of the newest, somewhat obscure, mostly unheard of URLs. Blip.tv, anyone? He's there. 43Things.com? There, too."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/29/AR2007032902382.html
Alex
e.politics - Using Technology to Compare Campaigns Side by Side
Excerpt:
"A couple of days ago, one of the folks behind a new site called Politickr wrote in to let me know a bit more about what they’re up to. Politickr turns out to be one of the few political sites I’ve seen that’s really using technology in a creative way to illuminate some part of the ‘08 campaign — they’re using RSS feeds and semantic analysis to show the presidential candidates’ recent blog posts side-by-side and to map the ideas on which each blog is focusing."
http://www.epolitics.com/2007/03/29/using-technology-to-compare-candidates-side-by-side/
Alex
ABC: Who's the Most Web Savvy '08 Candidate? Clinton, May Be an Early Front-Runner, but Obama Holds His Own Online
Excerpt"
""We're tracking whether the candidates are connecting in the new digital media universe," said Andrew Rasiej, co-founder of techpresident.com, a new nonpartisan "group blog" that tracks the effect the presidential candidates are having online."
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2991392&page=1
Alex
Washington Post: Obama Campaign Aims To Turn Online Backers Into an Offline Force
Excerpt:
"Obama's "community kickoff" events are billed as first-of-a-kind gatherings aimed at encouraging members of the more than 6,000 groups that were created on his presidential Web site to meet face to face. The candidate is to christen the effort to take his online support offline at a public library in tiny Onawa, Iowa, an appearance that will be streamed live on his Web site."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/30/AR2007033001993.html?nav=rss_politics
Alex
An Online Revolution In Campaign Coverage
Excerpt:
"Coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign will be nothing like coverage of the past if bloggers Arianna Huffington of The Huffington Post and Jay Rosen of NewAssignment.net have their way.
The two media revolutionaries have joined forces for a project designed to get citizens across the country involved in covering the leading candidates over the next two years. They outlined the effort in separate entries at The Huffington Post (also cross-posted at Rosen's personal blog, PressThink)."
http://beltwayblogroll.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/03/an_online_revol.php
Alex: When powerhouses like this get together, watch out. This is very exciting!!
Alex
Washington Post: French Politics in 3-D on Fantasy Web Site - Presidential Hopefuls Build Presence for Avatars on Second Life
Excerpt:
"All four major candidates in France's presidential election have opened virtual headquarters in Second Life, an interactive forum that allows inhabitants -- called avatars -- to engage in debates, attend political rallies and take part in protests in a multidimensional world that makes traditional campaign Web sites seem quaint and antiquated."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/29/AR2007032902540.html?hpid=topnews
Alex
USA Today: Question for Hillary: What will Bill's impact be?
Excerpt:
"The former leader of the free world cast a spell across a stilled ballroom as he recalled his history with the woman he hopes will be the next leader of the free world.
"We met and had our first date 36 years ago this month — this very month," Bill Clinton told hundreds of donors at a fundraiser last week as his wife looked on fondly. He said that by the next year, 1972, he was professing his love to Hillary Rodham and his belief that she was the best leader of their generation. "She's still the best," Clinton said to cheers, and he wrapped the New York senator in a hug."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-03-28-cover-clintons_N.htm?POE=NEWISVA
Alex
A star strategist offers Democrats a new vision
Excerpt:
""So many consultants are fighting the last war, but David is fighting the next one, and that makes him very, very dangerous," the Republican consultant Mike Murphy said."
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/30/news/obama.php
Alex
'NYT' SUNDAY PREVIEW: Profile of Obama's Consultant David Axelrod
Excerpt:
"It details how Axelrod left his job as chief political writer for The Chicago Tribune in 1984 and examines his work since then on behalf of candidates Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Rahm Emanuel and now as "chief strategist" for Obama. The Times piece states he "is known for operating" in a "gray area, part idealist, part hired muscle.""
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003565593
Alex
Radar: Pro-Union Hillary Harbors Labor Foes
Excerpt:
"As Hillary Clinton bashed corporate America for union-busting this week at a Washington convention of labor-schmoozing Democratic politicians, her chief campaign strategist and pollster, Mark Penn, must've been grinning at the rich irony. He's the Worldwide President and CEO for Burson-Marsteller, an international PR conglomerate known for, well, busting unions, The American Prospect's Mark Schmitt notes."
http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2007/03/hillary-clintons-union-doublespeak.php
Alex
Wall Street Journal: Style on the Stump - Obama pushes populism as Edwards fights boyish looks; Giuliani's power ties
Excerpt:
"In presidential politics, the goal is to get voters to focus on a candidate's record. But this year, style has been front and center -- and has sometimes seemed like a curse."
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117530536129355460-f3e44KIMRdstxY9bz3VLNkulCMw_20070429.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top
Alex
Romney Lists Potential Running Mates
Excerpt:
"Among those Romney mentioned for the second slot on the Republican ticket were three Southerners: South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/29/ap/politics/main2625685.shtml
Alex
Rudy flip flops on “flat tax”
Excerpt:
"CNN has the video:
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani once said that a flat income tax "would be a terrible mistake for urban areas," but the presidential hopeful now is open to the idea."
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/30/rudy-flip-flops-on-flat-tax/
Alex
Rudy's the One - By Steve Forbes
Excerpt:
"Rudy Giuliani is the real fiscal conservative in the 2008 presidential race. That's why I'm endorsing him for president.
Most Americans know that Mr. Giuliani turned around America's largest city. They know he cut crime and welfare in half; they know that he improved the quality of life from Times Square to Coney Island and everywhere in between. And they witnessed his Churchillian leadership following the terrorist attacks on 9/11."
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/SteveForbes/2007/03/30/rudys_the_one
Alex
Hillary's star appeal fading - By Dick Morris and Eileen McGann
Excerpt:
"It’s now obvious that Hillary Clinton’s negatives are rising among American voters. A Harris Interactive survey says that a majority will not vote for her, and a Gallup poll this week finds her favorability among Democratic primary voters dropping from 82 percent in January, to 74 percent in March.
By itself, this slippage would not be fatal. But it begs the key question: Why is Hillary dropping?"
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/DickMorrisandEileenMcGann/2007/03/30/hillarys_star_appeal_fading
Alex
Threatening a Meltdown - By Robert D. Novak
Excerpt:
"Republican Leader John Boehner, in a private conversation on the House floor Wednesday, warned his Democratic counterpart, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, of a legislative "meltdown."
Hoyer earlier had threatened rules changes limiting efforts of the Republican minority to alter legislation through "recommittal" votes at the end of debate. If that happens, Boehner told Hoyer, look for Republicans to delay the appropriations process and bring the House's work to a standstill."
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/RobertDNovak/2007/03/31/threatening_a_meltdown
Alex
Former DoJ Official: Department Used to "Skew" Elections
Excerpt:
"Joseph D. Rich was chief of the voting section in the Justice Department's civil right division from 1999 to 2005. Today he penned an Op-Ed in The Los Angeles Times, and he didnt' mince words:"
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002926.php
alex
Rove Aide Resigns
Excerpt:
""Barry Jackson, a longtime aide to Karl Rove, also is thought to be leaving soon.... All the departures appear to be more-or-less routine turnover," reports the Washington Wire. "
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002927.php
Alex
YouTube Video: Governor Romney On Tax Cuts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gha_dkoZJCM
Alex
YouTube Video: Governor Richardson discusses his National Health Care Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgdtAkbRBg0
Alex
YouTube Video: Why I made the "Vote Different" Ad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWH7hB57aSk
Alex
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Arianna Huffington: News 2.0: the Hybrid Future is Kicking Down the Door
Excerpt:
"So stop writing teary-eyed eulogies for newspapers. The only thing dead is the either/or nature of the musty print vs online debate. The shifting dynamic between those two forces is exactly like the relationship between Sarah Conner and the T-101 in the Terminator movies. At first, the visitor from the future (digital) seemed intent on killing Sarah (print). But as the relationship progressed and the sequels unspooled, the Terminator became Sarah and her son's one hope for salvation. Today, you can almost hear digital media (which for some reason has a thick Austrian accent) saying to print: "Come with me if you want to live!""
http://news.yahoo.com/s/huffpost/20070329/cm_huffpost/044401
Alex
The Hill: Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP
Excerpt:
"Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) was close to leaving the Republican Party in 2001, weeks before then-Sen. Jim Jeffords (Vt.) famously announced his decision to become an Independent, according to former Democratic lawmakers who say they were involved in the discussions.
In interviews with The Hill this month, former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and ex-Rep. Tom Downey (D-N.Y.) said there were nearly two months of talks with the maverick lawmaker following an approach by John Weaver, McCain’s chief political strategist."
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/democrats-say-mccain-nearly-abandoned-gop-2007-03-28.html
Alex
Obama Kicks Off Community Campaign in Both Real and Virtual World
Excerpt:
"On Saturday, March 31st at 3:00 p.m. Central time, Barack Obama, candidate for President of the United States from Illinois, will be speaking to a small group gathered in the home of an Iowa family. Although the event will be streamed live at http://www.barakobama.com, it was all also be "simulcast" in the virtual world, Second Life at SoHo Island. The simulcast will feature a virtual Obama, sitting in a virtual living room, addressing a crowd of avatars within the simulation."
http://prweb.com/releases/2007/3/prweb514415.htm
Alex
John Edwards opens up about son he lost
Excerpt:
""This is not the first challenge like this Elizabeth and I have been through," Edwards said at a candidate forum in Las Vegas. "As many of you know, we lost our son about 10, actually about 11 years ago now — in 1996.""
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070329/ap_on_el_pr/edwards_lost_son
Alex
McCain on Regulating Internet Politics: 'I'd be very reluctant'
Excerpt:
"This morning, Senator McCain of Arizona held his first blogger conference call of the 2008 race. He says he expects to start holding them regularly.
And, so, on the topic of politicians making use of the Internet in their campaigns, I posed this question to the senator this morning:"
http://www.nysunpolitics.com/blog/2007/03/mccain-on-regulating-internet.html
Alex
John Roberts Debunks McCain’s Rosy Baghdad Scenario
Excerpt:
"On The Situation Room yesterday, John McCain told Wolf that the surge is so encouraging that General Patraeus now travels around in unarmored Humvees and American soldiers can walk around the streets of Bahdad safely. When confronted today by John Roberts, McCain backpeddled faster than he did on gay marriage in Iowa."
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/28/john-roberts-debunks-mccains-rosy-baghdad-scenario/
Alex
Crooks and Liars: Give It Up for MC Rove!
Excerpt:
"At the annual Radio/Television Correspondents' Association Dinner last night, comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood of Whose Line Is It Anyway? brought Karl Rove up on stage for a tribute rap song. Not as good as Colbert's roast of President Bush last year, but it's pretty damn funny to see Karl try to get down with his bad self."
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/03/28/give-it-up-for-mc-rove/
Alex
Obama Joins Presidential Candidates Using Yahoo Answers
Excerpt:
"Several weeks back, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain got into the game. Clinton solicited thoughts on the issue of health care and received, in a matter of only a few days, more than 38,000 responses. McCain asked about government spending and the topic generated more than 18,000 responses.
Yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama posted a question of his own: "How can we engage more people in the democratic process?" As of yesterday evening, there were more than 1,200 responses - and the question will stay active on the site for another 14 days. There is also a note from Sen. Obama asking participants to add him to their Answers Networks so he might continue the dialogue. Apparently, this won't be his only question."
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2007/03/when_candidates_ask_people_ans.html?nav=rss_blog
Alex
US news media faces tricky transition in Internet era
Excerpt:
"Traditional US media are fighting an uphill battle against Internet news websites and citizen journalists, despite question marks over the credibility of the Web and copyright problems.
"Almost all newspaper owners realize that they are constantly losing ground in the battle for eyeballs," Warren Buffett, a millionaire shareholder of the major US national daily The Washington Post, said of the competition for readers."
http://news.brisbanetimes.com.au/us-news-media-faces-tricky-transition-in-internet-era/20075029-4tz.html
Alex
Ann Coulter Column: 'Sorry' doesn't seem to be the hardest word
Excerpt:
"Bush should say: "We did it, it was political, and there's nothing you can do about it."
Then he should start holding hearings on Congress' obstruction of the war effort. Members of Congress should be asked to come before the administration's hearings and testify under oath about their commitment to victory. If they are not traitors, what do they have to hide? Surely they will be willing to state under oath that they are not undermining the war effort for partisan political gain.
The hearings could be televised in prime time: "Traitor or No Traitor?""
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/AnnCoulter/2007/03/28/sorry_doesnt_seem_to_be_the_hardest_word
Alex
Bush Cites Upbeat Bloggers From Baghdad
Excerpt:
"To back up his point that pulling out of Iraq would be a disaster, President Bush has quoted opinions from the secretary of defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top U.S. general in Iraq—and now, two bloggers from Baghdad.
Bush made a surprising reference to the blogosphere during a spirited defense of his war strategy on Wednesday. The mention seemed even more unusual because the president didn't identify whom he was quoting, so he seemed to be leaning on anonymous commentary."
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8O5D1KG2&show_article=1
Alex
US billionaire Forbes backs Giuliani's bid for president
Excerpt:
"Republican ex-mayor of New York City Rudolph Giuliani won backing for his 2008 presidential bid from billionaire publisher Steve Forbes, who will also help lead his campaign, Giuliani's team said. "
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070328212011.276aacin&show_article=1
Alex
Kennedy: Justice firings are keyed to '08 vote
Excerpt:
"Senator Edward M. Kennedy yesterday accused President Bush of using the Department of Justice to further his administration's "right-wing ideology," saying that veteran prosecutors were replaced by political operatives in key states to ensure that "reliable partisans" are in place in time for the 2008 presidential election."
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/03/29/kennedy_justice_firings_are_keyed_to_08_vote/
Alex
Clinton, Obama, McCain Play Money Expectations Game
Excerpt:
"It's all about expectations. Just as a company's stock price suffers if earnings fail to meet analysts' projections, candidates gain or lose stature according to whether the money they raise exceeds or misses informed estimates. With the first finance reports for the 2008 presidential campaign due to be made public on April 15, campaigns are vigorously trying to lower the bar."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bloomberg/20070328/pl_bloomberg/atu9goqh4ga8_1
Alex
Drudge Report: Gonzales Aide: Attorneys Fired Over Politics...
Alex
YouTube Video: Governor Richardson speaks on foreign policy issues and Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0okWprkrNI
Alex
YouTube Video: Sen. McCain Responds To Sen. Obama On The Situation Room
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2op_x-ZmSc
Alex
YouTube Video: Joe Biden Responds to Bush Veto Threats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmHxfA2N3Cw
Alex
YouTube Video: SAMPSON HEARING: Schumer - "Just the Facts, Ma'am"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s25Cz2u9gtU
Alex
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Against Hillary Clinton For President: Hillary Clinton’s campaign may be rocked by ‘explosive’ biography
Excerpt:
"The book, titled “Her Way: The Hopes and Ambitions of Hillary Clinton” has been co-authored by Don Van Natta and Jeff Gerth, the New York Times reporter who first wrote about Whitewater.
Gerth promises that the book will reveal ‘explosive stuff’ about the former US First Lady, and could also “force her to answer ethics charges in the Senate”, reports the New York Daily News."
http://www.againsthillary.com/2007/03/28/hillary-clintons-campaign-may-be-rocked-by-explosive-biography/
Alex