We Want Media

With the ever-increasing prominence of blogging as a news form, its implications in the political world become all the more crucial.

Incorporating emerging technology into one’s campaign hasn’t been such an easy task for Senator John Edwards. The 2008 Presidential Candidate has recently been criticized for past material written by two of his staff members, Amanda Marcotte and Melissa McEwan, on their blogging sites. Edwards’ association with the two bloggers, who had made disparaging remarks about the Catholic Church, at times using profane language, have made Edwards the target of strong criticism by conservatives, most notably Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.

Kudos to Edwards for keeping the bloggers on staff despite the controversy. While political campaigning is often characterized by false pretexts, I think the inclusion of the online world is forcing people to be more honest about their opinions. I certainly don’t think Marcotte and McEwan would have made these beliefs quite so public in the midst of Edwards’ campaign, but because their remarks are already out there in the blogosphere, they’re forced to take responsibility for such opinions. Score one for the Edwards campaign.

Edwards Learns Blogs Can Cut 2 Ways NYT

Campaign Bloggers Caught in Web LA Times

The Edwards/Marcotte Blog 'Scandal' NY Press