Sidebar: The Internet Problem

Bullshit, about dangerous bloggers, by MSM, explained.

Sidebar: The Internet Problem:

Political reporters looking to identify a new obstacle standing in the way of Democratic electoral success often find it online, where party activists and progressives congregate around liberal blogs and websites. Writing under the headline 'Blogs Attack From Left as Democrats Reach for the Center'
(1/29/06), Washington Post reporter Jim VandeHei reported that 'Democrats are getting an early glimpse of an intraparty rift that could complicate efforts to win back the White House: fiery liberals raising their voices on Web sites and in interest groups vs. elected officials trying to appeal to a much broader audience.

Los Angeles Times reporter Ron Brownstein (6/11/06) emphasized the concern 'among Democratic centrists who fear that the new activists are pressuring the party toward liberal positions that will impede its ability to build a national electoral majority.' Washington Post political reporter Dan Balz (6/11/06) underlined a similar concern, suggesting that the growing influence of such websites raised 'questions about whether the often-angry rhetoric and uncompromising positions of the bloggers will drive the party too far left and endanger its chances of winning national elections.'

But the issues identified as being pushed by bloggers and Internet activists that might 'complicate' a Democrat's chances in 2008 were not actually unpopular. A more forceful critique of the Iraq War was one example, a position with majority support, if public opinion polls are any indication.

When a CNN poll (6/14-15/06) asked an unusually straightforward question, 'Do you favor or oppose the U.S. war with Iraq,' the response was 54 percent opposed and only 38 percent in favor.