This piece from TPM Muckraker gets to the heart of what the blogosphere does and why it is important. It focuses on the problems facing the Alaskan congressional delegation (Sens. Stevens and Murkowski, and Rep. Young). Simply put, they are no longer ready for primetime.
“Anybody who’s in this business realizes the universe is changing and changing dramatically,” [former editorial page editor of the Anchorage Daily News, Michael] Carey said. “I think this is something that’s happened to Sen. Stevens and our whole congressional delegation in the so-called scandal story, of them finding themselves not just on television or in conventional print, but all over the universe in forms that they couldn’t imagine with different people they’ve never heard of.”
That reminded me of Cliff Schecter’s masthead, which reads:
“…somebody named Cliff Schecter, an expert. Never heard of him.”-Rush Limbaugh
They just never see us coming. Take Lane Hudson…he is definitely trying to ruin Fred Thompson’s good time. Hudson’s FEC complaint against Thompson is breaking out all over. Here’s the Associated Press:
A liberal blogger has filed a federal complaint against former Sen. Fred Thompson, the actor and unannounced Republican candidate for president, accusing him of violating election laws as he ponders his entry into the race.
The blogger, Lane Hudson, submitted his complaint to the Federal Election Commission on Monday saying Thompson has raised far more money than he needs to explore whether to run for president.
Federal law allows potential candidates to raise money to travel, conduct polls and pay for other expenses related to “testing the waters” for a political campaign. During that exploratory period, a potential candidate does not have to file financial reports with the FEC.
The law prohibits anyone who is “testing the waters” from hoarding the money for use during his actual campaign. Potential candidates also cannot refer to themselves as candidates, can’t run ads that publicize their intention to campaign or take steps to qualify for the ballot in a primary or caucus state.
Of course, Fred Thompson has violated all of those prohibitions. Leave it to a blogger to call him on it and send it viral.
All of this stuff makes a difference…a positive difference.
