Blaglash.com

There’s been debate recently about blogs; about the role of the internet in political commentary.  Blogs possess a freedom that print journalism does not.  WEBLOG writers get to pen their unadulterated opinion, and in essence, it gets “published”.  Blogs aren’t held to journalistic standards of objectivity, fact-checking and editorship.  The other thing about blogs is that they’re immediate.  There is no “turn around” and there is no printer deadline when it comes to blogging.  I can write my blog literally as the Pennsylvania primaries are called tonight, my “story” will get published, and people will read it before they read the New York Times.  I am literally scooping all newspapers.

The internet has had intense effects on this years presidential race.  Everyone knows this; it’s a fact.  Public impressions, fundraising, political analysis, and youtube are a few ways the internet has helped and hindered.  But using the internet as a benchmark for public opinion is so far, I think, under-estimated.  Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama know that people believe what they read.  I’m pretty sure they’re both using this to their advantage.  FOR EXAMPLE, look at the comments people leave on political blogs! 

I spent a lot of time looking at the comments section of three washington post blog entries.  Whereas both candidates have their stooges hanging out in comments sections, Clinton’s are by far more on message- you will find many key words throughout their negative comments.  They like to CAPITALIZE Obama’s middle name, mention Rev. Wright, Rezko and William Ayers often, contrast “hope” with experience and make claims to Obama’s “corruption”.  They are using the talking points already created ont he internet, to create more distrust of Obama on the internet.  Here are the shorter examples:

Bill and Hillary are greatGreat for American and great for the world.We do not need someone who who does not know what they are doing nor explain what he is going to do.

HILLARY 08

Posted by: Bill | April 21, 2008 6:56 PM

Who controls Barrack?? In a debate he looks like an idiot…the day after debates his “handlers” tell him what response he should have given..duh! He never has anything intelligent to say, if in debate, he goes first..but boy can he springboard off someone else’s responses. He hangs with a minister with questionable preachings..not all blacks preach this way in their churches, but yet it takes him 20 plus years to wise up to the problems…he gets a house, he was not qualified for though the help of again a questionable friend. He passes legislation so lobbyist can still court congress, but standing up to eat instead of sitting down - then it’s ok -his response -they eat less!
Look at his voting records in Illinois and DC, never take a stand unless its in a rounded corner-then you can swing either way without cake on your face - caucuses are a joke..people’s views are not addressed, people working with other committments can’t attend-elections are the only way to go, then the people speak-ours in Seattle were like a dog and pony show, most of the leaders didn’t want to be there and didn’t know what they were doing!

Posted by: disgruntled in Seattle | April 21, 2008 7:15 PM

I wish there was space to paste my favorite ones.  Suffice it to say, the word “bitter” is used often.

Interestingly enough, Obama’s supporters seem to be equally on message, if more concise: aligning Clinton with republicans.  Here are some examples:

I WOULD NOT be surprised that when Hillary loses the nomination, she will pull a “Lieberman” and announce her candidacy for President as an Independent.Why do the Clintons hate America so much?Posted by: | April 21, 2008 8:13 PM Posted by: Hillary R. Clinton (R) NY | April 21, 2008 5:37 PM I have often felt lately that the Clintons would be far more comfortable in the Republican party–where, I suggest, they should take themselves forthwith.Posted by: Helena Montana | April 21, 2008 6:29 PM WOW From Hillarys red suit and tactics to Bill’s words. Why don’t they just admit they are republican?Posted by: Larry Oregon | April 21, 2008 6:31 PM Sorry Bill, gop already has their canidate, maybe in 2012.Posted by: monkeyman | April 21, 2008 6:40 PM So the Clintons should make it official and join the republican party. Posted by: poggy | April 21, 2008 6:46 PM Then there’s the great quote that was all over the place:

Bill Clinton in 2004:“Now one of Clinton’s Laws of Politics is this: If one candidate’s trying to scare you and the other one’s trying to get you to think; if one candidate’s appealing to your fears and the other one’s appealing to your hopes, you better vote for the person who wants you to think and hope. That’s the best.”Posted by: | April 21, 2008 2:30 PM

These conclusions only came from three blog posts, from one website.  But these comments underscore a trend I have been  noticing for a long time on various sites: consistent attacks from “different” commenters who use similar language and the same talking points repeatedly.  Sometimes the words are spaced differently, with the exact same words- do these trolls really think they are being subtle?  It is fairly obvious that one person makes more than one account and makes the same comments from all of them- which makes it look like a commonly accepted opinion.  Through readership of the internet, they become “facts” and I think you’ll find even debating someone IRL will produce one of these troll-facts.  “Like, did you know Obama is a communist, who supports terrorism because he’s friends with William Ayers, who killed people in the 70’s when he blew up a lot of buildings?”

I wonder if these guys get some sort of one sheet?  Do they get paid or something?  I  think that they’re annoying, not credible at all and mildly amusing, but- scary thought- someone might read all these manufactured “opinions” and take them seriously!