Why There's No Conservative Kos

Weekly Standard: The Right Has Nothing Like The Left's Netroots Because It Doesn't Need One

(Weekly Standard)  This column was written by Dean Barnett.

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In early August, the collection of liberal blogs that refers to itself as "the Netroots" held its annual convention. The convention's name, "YearlyKos," invokes the allure of the liberal blogosphere's most powerful entity, the Daily Kos. All the major Democratic presidential candidates participated fully in the festivities in order to honor the Netroots. So too did all of the minor candidates with the exception of Joe Biden, who was on a book tour. By all accounts, Biden's absence didn't cast much of a pall on the gathering.

A few days earlier, the Netroots' longtime organizational bête noire, the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, held its annual convention, titled "The National Conversation." A mere 350 people participated in the DLC's conversation, roughly one-fifth the attendance at YearlyKos. For their part, the Democratic presidential candidates apparently weren't feeling particularly gabby. None of them made an appearance at the DLC's annual schmooze-fest. The organization that once fueled Bill Clinton's presidential aspirations now can't even win the attention of Mike Gravel.

Some people on the right fear that the left has developed an insurmountable advantage in harnessing the power of the Internet. While the Daily Kos, YearlyKos, and other bastions of online liberalism have clearly become power players, conservatives have no comparable entities. The right-wing blogosphere doesn't hold conventions, doesn't win the attention of candidates, and more important, doesn't move voters the way the progressive blogosphere does. The progressive blogosphere is a hotbed of activism; the most prominent outposts of the right-wing blogosphere stick to punditry.

But is this in fact a problem for the Republican party and conservatism generally? In order to answer that, you have to look at what the Netroots are, and what they aren't. Markos Moulitsas and Jerome Armstrong penned the seminal introduction to the Netroots' core philosophy in their book “Crashing the Gate: Netroots, Grassroots, and the Rise of People-Powered Politics”. The most noteworthy thing about Moulitsas and Armstrong's political philosophy as outlined in “Crashing the Gate” is that they don't have one. Seriously. A key part of their long-term plan is to open progressive counterparts to conservative think tanks like the Hoover Institution and the Heritage Foundation so Netroots denizens of the future will know what to believe.

[bluestardad]

Remember AIPAC THE ISRAELI LOBBY GROUP CONTROLS KEY POLITICIANS, Israeli Neocon Supporters are pushing America to fight their wars for them!

THE MIDDLE EAST IS NOT IN AMERICAS NATIONAL INTREST! THEY HAVE NOTHING WE NEED!

Founded in 1953 by Isaiah L. "Si" Kenen, AIPAC''''s original name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs.

According to UCLA political science professor and author, Steven Spiegel, "the tension between the Eisenhower administration and Israeli supporters was so acute that there were rumors that the administration would investigate the American Zionist Council. Therefore, an independent lobbying committee was formed, which years later was renamed [AIPAC]."

Today, AIPAC has over 100,000 members.[1]
Activities and stated goals
AIPAC''''s stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation "to ensure that the U.S.-Israel relationship is strong so that both countries can work together" to meet the challenges of "stopping Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons,

[2] It regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. It also provides analysis of the voting records of U.S. federal representatives and senators with regard to how they voted on legislation related to Israel.

The New York Times described AIPAC on July 6, 1987 as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East."

READ AIPAC AD BELOW
http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_a
ipacClubs.htm

[xzavierbrown]

A few days earlier, the Netroots'' longtime organizational bjte noire, the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, held its annual convention, titled "The National Conversation." A mere 350 people participated in the DLC''s conversation, roughly one-fifth the attendance at YearlyKos. For their part, the Democratic presidential candidates apparently weren''t feeling particularly gabby. None of them made an appearance at the DLC''s annual schmooze-fest. The organization that once fueled Bill Clinton''s presidential aspirations now can''t even win the attention of Mike Gravel.


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HERE IS THE REASON WHY...MOST MEMBER OF THIS INFAMOUS NETROOTS ARE CHILDREN ACTING TOUGH AND ACTING LIKE THEY CARE..but in REALITY ARE NOT DEDICATED TO NOTHING BUT JUST ''PASSING TIME'' AND GETTING IN THE FAD..

if you think you can grab the attention of a drugged up liberal long enough to make a difference..YOU ARE WROOOOOOOOOOOONG!!

try handcuffs..you can try cuffing them so they would stay.

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by torocaca at 08:10 PM : Sep 07, 2007
+ report abuse

****those 21,000 ''hits'' are more likely 100%dedicated to spreading sh*t..i mean what do liberals have anything these days?
why dont you research how many of those sites dicsuss anything other than "neocons'' or ''bush''

[torocaca]

most liberal netroots champions compare thier world wide influence (th sky is the limit on how many garbage sites can pop up) to a simple fox network.
the netroots are NOT REGULATED has the ability to slander and spread unfounded allegations, conspiracies without any regards to facts or scrutiny....fox is one (1) network that is REGULATED by rules and regulations and IS AND ALWAYS BEEN under public scrutiny and inspections.

and they call that unfair....
Posted by libsluvsuvs at 02:28 PM : Sep 07, 2007
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Hmmmmm... I just searched "conservative websites" and got over 57,000 hits. Searching "liberal websites" gets less than 21,000 hits.

So who proliferates the internet with the most spin trash?

[torocaca]

most liberal netroots champions compare thier world wide influence (th sky is the limit on how many garbage sites can pop up) to a simple fox network.
the netroots are NOT REGULATED has the ability to slander and spread unfounded allegations, conspiracies without any regards to facts or scrutiny....fox is one (1) network that is REGULATED by rules and regulations and IS AND ALWAYS BEEN under public scrutiny and inspections. and they call that unfair....
Posted by libsluvsuvs at 02:28 PM : Sep 07, 2007
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Too bad Ann Coulter''s mouth isn''t REGULATED!

Tell me how FauxNoise is REGULATED. Any REGULATIONS they are under don''t stop Hannity, O''Reilly, and others from telling outright lies and otherwise SPINNING the truth.

[dirtydog55]

most liberal netroots champions compare thier world wide influence (th sky is the limit on how many garbage sites can pop up) to a simple fox network. Posted by libsluvsuvs at 02:28 PM : Sep 07, 2007
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An assumption on your part.

OBTW: Most of the conservative I know drive SUVs and BIG trucks so they can get the Bush tax break on large vehicles. Conservatives definitely don''t think GREEN, unless of course, it''s green, like money.

[dirtydog55]

if you understand what you just said..YEAH YOU DID SAY IT. or you spew out so much that you cannot remember your own vomit from the last?
Posted by libsluvsuvs at 03:41 PM : Sep 07, 2007
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So what''s your point? Does Israel get what they want from the U.S.?

[libsluvsuvs]

Did I say "...AIPAC controls America?"

LOL!!! Another one who can''''t read...


Posted by dirtydog55 at 11:36 AM : Sep 07, 2007
+ report abuse

********************

In fact, support of AIPAC and Israel is bi-partisan and you would be hard pressed to find a candidate who doesn''''t support it.

AIPAC is the second most powerful lobbying organization in Washington, even more powerful than the AFL-CIO and the NRA. Only AARP is more powerful.


Posted by dirtydog55 at 10:58 AM : Sep 07, 2007
report abuse
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if you understand what you just said..YEAH YOU DID SAY IT. or you spew out so much that you cannot remember your own vomit from the last?

[libsluvsuvs]

most liberal netroots champions compare thier world wide influence (th sky is the limit on how many garbage sites can pop up) to a simple fox network.
the netroots are NOT REGULATED has the ability to slander and spread unfounded allegations, conspiracies without any regards to facts or scrutiny....fox is one (1) network that is REGULATED by rules and regulations and IS AND ALWAYS BEEN under public scrutiny and inspections.

and they call that unfair....

[dirtydog55]

dirtydog55:
Jews are out-numbered by about 50-to-1 in the US, but you claim that AIPAC controls America.
Posted by juwboy at 11:11 AM : Sep 07, 2007
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Did I say "...AIPAC controls America?"

LOL!!! Another one who can''t read...

[dirtydog55]

So, why are Gentile-Americans like yourself so weak and ineffective at presenting your case to Congress and the President?
Posted by juwboy at 11:11 AM : Sep 07, 2007
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Because Congress and the President are influenced only by money and power, none of which is had by most "Gentile Americans." Once elected, most members of Congress pay only lip service to their constituents and vote according to their own self-interest.

Israel is the "only" nation that lobbies the U.S. for support, and it does it to the tune of about $10 million per day.

Ask yourself why right-wing Christians think Jesus is going to "save" Jews when the Israelis don''t give a rat''s asss about Christians. Christians living in Israel are treated no better than Christians living in most Arab countries.

[juwboy]

dirtydog55:

Jews are out-numbered by about 50-to-1 in the US, but you claim that AIPAC controls America.

So, why are Gentile-Americans like yourself so weak and ineffective at presenting your case to Congress and the President?

[taotxzen]

Spin this:

http://www.truemajority.org/oreos/

[fake-id-2009]

Why There''''s No Conservative Kos
Because only liberals feel the need to spin the "truth"
...
Posted by processor2 at 10:41 AM : Sep 07, 2007
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Saying the same ***** over and over might work for Bush & Co. but it doesn''t seem to be working for you.

Besides, you obviously know that "spin" works for Hannity, O''Really, Limpball, et al, so you are just full of yourself. Which means you are just full of *****.

[huangagain]

Typical conservative babble that makes no sense but tries to spin things to make us THINK it makes sense. It is more simple...conservative means fighting change...hence those on the left have embraced the internet while conservatives are still 20 years behind pretending Reagon is still president.

[dirtydog55]

THE RIGHT HAS THE ISRAELI NEOCON LOBBY GROUPS, LIKE AIPAC, PNAC, AND THE AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE!
Posted by bluestardad at 08:27 AM : Sep 07, 2007
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"AIPAC''s hypocrisy is stomach-turning, to say the least. The goliath lobbying organization wants Iran to be slapped across the knuckles while the crimes of Israel continue to be ignored. And who is propping up AIPAC''s hypocritical position? Senator Hillary Clinton of New York."

Obama has also found it necessary to schmooze AIPAC.

John Edwards spoke at the AIPAC conference.

In fact, support of AIPAC and Israel is bi-partisan and you would be hard pressed to find a candidate who doesn''t support it.

AIPAC is the second most powerful lobbying organization in Washington, even more powerful than the AFL-CIO and the NRA. Only AARP is more powerful.

[processor2]

Why There''s No Conservative Kos


Because only liberals feel the need to spin the "truth"

...

[condumism]

The dumbing of Americans, a Ronald Reagan and Karl Rove trademark, is having its planned impacts on every aspect of American life, including our international relationships!

1. Global Warming CO2 levels .vs. American IQ levels. IQ''s in America are exactly tracking in inverse the increase in atmospheric Carbon Dioxide.

2. Local News. Fifty percent of their air time is wasted on previews of hyper-shallow stories that are "coming up next".

3. Candy wrappers containing the words: "Fat Free"

4. World Wrestling Entertainment "pay per view."

5. "Debit Cards". If you can''t control yourself with a Credit Card, you won''t control yourself with a Debit Card, either.

6. 17% of the US economy goes towards health care, which is double what countries pay that have universal health care, ie; Europe, Japan, Canada. The results, the life span of Americans is in steady decline, now ranking 42nd.

7. The Homeland Security Advisory System. Every 15 minutes, Fox News will "scroll" the current threat level.

8. Lunchables: by Oscar Meyer

9. EPA estimated "miles per gallon" displayed on new car windows, especially those from the Ford Motor Company.

10. American Children are now Much Dumber because of electronic gadgets in automobies, and because of "incentive toys" packaged with fast food.

[dirtydog55]

Are all conservatives as ignorant as jwhitmann?
Posted by brianbwb at 01:20 AM : Sep 07, 2007
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Almost. But jwhitmann is in a special class of ignorant because he doesn''t have an original thought of his own. Even his name is a copy-cat; he took the name of another long-time poster here. Like the child that he is, he thinks it''s "cute."

[taotxzen]

Sorry, wrong hp address, try this one:

http://www.oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm