Political advice: Don't hire a blogger

I'm sure you're all aware of the dust-up over Edward's hiring a couple bloggers for his campaign. My advice to all politicians is to not hire bloggers.

The site should be your voice. You don't need a blogger to create content.

What you need is a good web designer to set up your site and modify it as needed. You also need someone to post to the site. One or both people can surf blogs looking for posts that fit with your vision. They can then link to said posts with a disclaimer you embrace what is said in that post, but not necessarily any other post by that blogger.

The internet is world wide and, baring deletions, forever out there. I have fewer than 2,000 posts but wouldn't be able to scan every last one carefully to see if there's some sort of inflammatory content out there (there is in almost all my posts).

This is too bad. Most bloggers I know are passionate and could really use the money. There's also the prestige of working with/for a politician or a political candidate. But on balance its not a good idea to employ one.

All that said, I must defend Amanda. She's been an email friend and she's not any of the things the wingers have been accusing her of being. Well, except for the profanity thing, but fuck them if they can't handle it. Her resignation is, in my opinion, an example of her integrity and common sense although its also unfortunate.

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It seems Edwards dodged this bullet well. He may cave later, but for now is showing some real backbone.

“The tone and the sentiment of some of Amanda Marcotte’s and Melissa McEwen’s posts personally offended me. It’s not how I talk to people, and it’s not how I expect the people who work for me to talk to people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but that kind of intolerant language will not be permitted from anyone on my campaign, whether it’s intended as satire, humor, or anything else. But I also believe in giving everyone a fair shake. I’ve talked to Amanda and Melissa; they have both assured me that it was never their intention to malign anyone’s faith, and I take them at their word. We’re beginning a great debate about the future of our country, and we can’t let it be hijacked. It will take discipline, focus, and courage to build the America we believe in.”

I'm impressed. He stated his position. He doesn't like the tone and sentiment, but is embracing their abilities. What more could one ask?

Edwards would have been a fucking loser had he 86ed Amanda and Melissa. I've worked with many people who swear like I do on my blog. The profanity doesn't diminish what they think.

One more thing, being critical of edicts/positions of the Pope or information from the Jewish Defense League doesn't make one anti-Roman Catholic nor anti-Semitic. Why can't they take a little scrutiny?

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