Login HereEric Boehlert at Media Matters writes about our email campaign which generated emails to 621 papers across the country, pushing back against the Associated Press's smears against Barack Obama's patriotism:
Nearly 15,000 letters sent in just a matter of days in response to a single news wire article? That's something else entirely and could mark the dawn of a new era in progressive media activism. The phenomenon has received very little mainstream media attention (journalists probably don't want to encourage this sort of thing), but make no mistake: It was a very big deal.
In part because it's become clear that if there's going to be an effective media pushback during this White House run, it's going to have to come from online. Even progressive pundits within the mainstream press corps remain reluctant to step out and criticize their colleagues in any meaningful way. That is still very much a closed Beltway club.
Also, this White House campaign is going to be the test case to see whether the more fully matured liberal blogosphere is able to alter the mainstream media landscape at all, whether it's going to be able to knock the press off some of its favorite, predisposed biases against Democrats. From the looks of the eruption the AP created, progressives have already made enormous strides since the 2004 campaign.
Indeed, Sen. John Kerry's former campaign aides must see this kind of rapid response and think about what might have been if they had an army of online activists ready to battle the press when reporters and pundits took cheap shots trying to defame the Democratic front-runner back in 2004. And poor Al Gore. Imagine if 15,000 letters to newspaper were dashed off the week the inventing-the-Internet fairy tale first began to take root in the press?
It is going to be a challenge, but our first efforts were really successful. So thanks to everyone who made it happen, and if you'd like to be part of our rapid response team for future actions like this, you can sign up in the box above.
In an election where we can look forward to Rush Limbaugh's callers saying Barack Obama looks like Curious George (and Limbaugh claiming he didn't know who Curious George was), I think we're going to be pretty busy.
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Zed!
Woo Hoo, we make our voices heard…!
…just back from signing up…
I’m in. ;)
At the moment, Michelle Bernard of the Independent Women’s Forum is commentating on MSNBC. :(
All signed up.
President Obama. Sounds kinda good. Doesn’t it.
I signed up too. I just hope I don’t end up with a bunch of junk-mail in my inbox and mailbox. I trust Jane so I suppose not to worry.
digg early, digg often!
Anyone without the (R) next to their name suits me just fine.
The FDL Firepups…puttin’ out tha fiyahs that erupt in this nation! Love it. ;-)
My senator, Obama, just told the media on his plane that he’s prepared to go on to Wyoming and Mississippi. I LOVE THAT!
Another fatal flaw of Senator Clinton…shortsightedness. She couldn’t see past 2/5/08.
I smell Rove behind this insipid business.
Yay, us!
The joy of being a FirePup is participating in these innovative programs.
Thanks Jane, The Redhead, et al.
I certainly trust Jane! Her track record is sterling…! *g*
Having worked in “da media” as a news fotog for 25 years before i got out, (just in time based on staff cuts) I can tell you AP is lazy, stupid and sheep-like.
OTOH, and not exactly off-topic, the 25-percenters are all atwitter again
They ARE insane.
he never sleeps,undead imo
ok - I signed up.
Is there an emoticon for that thing people do with their hand which means Hey Jane - “call me!”?
,)’ (?)
What to have some more fun? On the previous thread I was thinking it would be kind of fun to mess with the minds of our Representatives & Senators who are for giving the telecom companies immunity…by calling their offices and asking the intern why the Senator/Rep. said ‘this and that’ about ’so and so’ (make up something really juicy)…and then state you work for AT&T or Verizon and heard this call through the largest phone database ever created to see what reaction you’d get.
I bet immunity would be swept off the table if enough calls were made. LOL ;-)
Does anyone have any idea how many of the letters made it to print?
I am beside myself with anticipation of the debates between Obama or Clinton and McCain. Seriously.
Mrs. Greenspan seems to be in good spirits tonight, even though it looks like Hillary could have a big night…
WooHoo … that’s a lot of letters!
Thank you Jane!
It’s nice to be able to push back.
i love it reminds me of…the OLD SNL
This is excellent, I’m in.
Expect a dirty, dirty election, firepups. The only chance the GOP has is to make Obama the most hated man in America. I expect to see a large number of trial balloons from swiftboaters and whichever ones stick are going to get MILLIONS of dollars of airtime. McBush will generally keep his hands clean, except to keep the issue on the air.
It’s already been pointed out to me that Obama is black, and has a weird name. Not that there’s anything racist about that…but did you know that he helped drug dealers when he was helping on the street? And that his socialized medicine will have us all taxed to support illegal immigrants?
I’m sick of it already.
Boxturtle (President Obama sounds good to me too)
what color leather is she wrapped tight in?
i was just wondering the very same thing. perhaps those pups whose letters made it to print could start a count here at fdl somehow. it also would be good to know in which papers. for da future, listed by state.
Ditto, kiddo! McBatshitCrazySaint will need some No-Doz to keep up. Maybe Mrs. McBatshitCrazySaint can supply him with the good stuff ;)
Apparently, there’ll be no Countdown with KO already on the air, and 45 mins till the Ohio polls close… BTW, I assume Rachel will be on tap with KO since she’s not on AA today…! *g*
you can rely upon that
You’ve already started swooning over Rachel, havencha? *g*
fascists love dem their mind altering drugs
Lord I love it. The Republicans are faced with the prospect (probability) of a self-made man or a woman as the next president of the United States.
Yep, Rachel has already appeared. She’ll be back.
boooooooooooooooooooootsraps hoooooooooooray
I love it!
what color leather is she wrapped tight in?
I don’t think that Mrs. Greenspan has ever been accused of being wrapped too tight.
No black leather cat-suit for Noron tonight - dammit.
Keith just said Bill Clinton went on Rush this afternoon.
What is it with these R wives and drugs anyway? Must be a horrible endeavor to stand beside those guys. Eeewww!
First Exit Polls from HuffPo:
VT Obama - 67, Clinton - 33
OH Obama - 51, Clinton - 49
TX Obama - 50, Clinton - 49
RI Obama - 49, Clinton - 49
Anyone knows how accurate these Exit Polls are ?
Do they make preggo black leather catsuits?
But of course! I listen to her heavenly voice every chance I get…! *g*
btw here are links to the original FDL AP ACTION articles:
ACTION: Tell AP Papers to Stop Smearing Obama’s Patriotism
Action Help: AP Pushback Needs Another Push
I never believe any exit polls until I see the hard numbers on which they are based. Verify, don’t trust. *g*
he is BATSHIT,can you imagine living with him?
And Karl Rove, we are going to flush you down the toilet come November.
Ewww … thanks for the image … *g*
Are we going to have to bring out the smelling salts?
Exit polls? WTF? The polls don’t close here in Texas for more than an hour. What the fuck are they already printing exit polls for? Did I say I hate that?
If Cindy McCain gets any thinner as the campaign goes on she is going to have to go on the Dr. Phil show.
another little winger in the oven?
In two words, HELLLLLLL NO!
spit up my beer!
i hope we all have MANY laughs tonite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve already got them nearby! ;-)
Can she botox her shoulders and thighs?
So, if we get on board to help defend obama (will it only be obama?) will we, internet activists, be thanked for our support with favorable policy or will we be denounced and rejected?
intervenous?
Do they make preggo black leather catsuits?
Huh?
Well, preggers or not, she had one on a few weeks ago, and it not only kept my attention quite nicely, it also relieved the annoying task of having to keep looking at the teevee from one side to the other to keep track of both her eyes…
We have to work tomorrow so we can’t stay up late and watch the happenings. But when me and my lady retire upstairs we will feel good. Because one way or the other we are seeing the next president of the United States of America. And I am not here speaking of John McCain. John McCain: a politician for yesterday.
Who said it would just be for Obama? Jane didn’t. It’s whomever is getting the shitty end of the Wurlitzer stick or the inaccurate media reportage where we find it.
Dem presidential nominee, any of our Blue America folks, crappy media narrative on liberals…what-have-you.
Hah, Repugs are only 10% of the primary voters in Ohio… Bwahahaha…! 8-)
Denounced and rejected in the beginning, for sure. If we stick with it, cheered and revered.
same disease as Michelle Malalalaladingdong
I’ll bet it did! *g* Animal!
Kudos, Jane! You rock!
Thanks for making FDL the place where good stuff happens!
Bob in HI
where has MM been…kind of low profile,no?
Did I say yesterday that KO always played it straight on the election shows? One of Hillary’s flacks said “Obama didn’t have to vote on the resolution to authorize military action against Iraq”. KO said, “He didn’t have to read the report either”! zingarooo
MM also equals Mystery Man
Animal!
hey - just representin’ for the small (in numbers, dammit!) straight male contingent here at FDL… *g*
I heard that too, R. LOL! Tweety didn’t look pleased. Awww, too bad hack!
Vermont is in da bag.
hahahahahaha
i know none
I’ll vote for dat!
we need a drinking game,im edgy
Vermont is already called for Obama…
Very good then.
KEIF is tehhh quick
With respect to Christy’s post, how do we make these bastards understand that voting for the Telecomm immunity will cost them their precious jobs? Is something like that even possible? I can’t imagine anything else that will or could get their attention other than their being voted out of their cushy barely-make-work fucking jobs.
They will of the people no longer matters, the will of corporate America does. Fascism by any other name is …. Fascism.
Ya’ll commence with the drinkin’. I’ll watch. :)
Apparently, Ben and Jerry have swayed the voters…! ;-)
Blitzer: We don’t want to belittle the voters in Vermont … much more important is what happens in Ohio … nicely done, WhiteBeard !!!
That is why I asked. My impression was that it was for obama yet I didn’t see that specifically stated. Thanks for clarifying.
Well I thought I was going to be able to watch MSGOP, but since I don’t drink I think it’s best for me to find something else to view and rely on fire pups to let me know what’s happening.
I don’t drink
lol, good one :)
I can’t imagine anything else that will or could get their attention other than their being voted out of their cushy barely-make-work fucking job….
they are pampered beyond belief,never pay for dinners or ANYTHING else….airports..ha
we need a drinking game,im edgy
Want to stay pretty sober? -> magic word is “Huckabee”.
Wanna get plowed? -> magic word is “momentum”.
I don’t drink….well *g*
ok well heres lookin atchooooo kid!
Well, I’m off to caucus and work at my precinct caucus here in Austin. I’ll be signing up delegates and alternates for Obama for the next level of caucus. Our precinct sends 103 delegates to our state senatorial district convention in Austin March 29. After that comes the state convention June 6-7 also in Austin. We’ve got a very large precinct and there’s hardly a Republican to be found in it. I like my neighbors.
The lines have been long all day (I worked all morning educating people on line about the caucus process and why it’s important to caucus - in a nutshell, two-thirds of the votes approximately are delegated by the primary and most of the other third is delegated by the caucuses plus a few go to super delegates). So even tho the polls close at 7:00 and we could theoretically open the caucus at 7:15, anyone who’s in line at 7:00 can vote. And we can’t begin caucusing til the last person has voted.
I’ll report back when I get home.
i really feel the preasure like in 2004
s’ok, no jesus, no higher power, just gave it up
Heh, that’s why I don’t watch Wolfie, I much rather watch KO and my sweetie, Rachel…! *g*
i maybe drink 10 days/nights per year……you can imagine,im nervous!
Awesome job, GW! Good luck at the caucus…! 8-)
well i could always do ice cream instead…or mebbe both,frozen concoction to help me hang on
Kudos to ya. I embarrassed myself so badly, I had no other choice. I blame it on the BP medicine, but if truth be known, I’ve become a lightweight with age. Not mad about that at all. I feel great!
agreed!
With a little salt and lime, perhaps?
Careful, GW, ya might get sucked into service, I ended up as my precinct’s treasurer…! ;-)
oo thanks for the idea, I want a purple popsicle
Who is older, Twiggy or Cindy McCain?
Twiggy: born Sept. 19, 1949
Cindy McCain: April 1. 1954 (April fool’s day)
Many, many thanks for your work. You set a great example.
thanks, ct. i had a blast earlier. so many people didn’t know how it worked, even people who’ve been voting every election for years. we haven’t been in play before. usually we have maybe 20-40 people at our caucuses.
i think at least 40 - 50 of the people who wanted to hear how it worked from me are coming tonight who weren’t originally planning to. it’s exciting.
Wanna stay stone cold sober? -> magic word is “progressive.”
Thanks not only for what you’re doing, but also for your regular updates. They’re both appreciated.
i was right there with you that night, congratulating you. your post is what has me prepared for a really big turnout tonight.
I think we need an FDL contest for “most complicated way to choose delegates” when this campaign is over. Everyone who has participated in one of these odd two-step processes can explain it again, and we’ll vote for the most complicated (and most difficult to understand).
So far, though, I think Texas is in the lead.
As an alternative, you could watch Cenk Uygur and Ben Mankiewicz on the Young Turks tonight:
http://www.theyoungturks.com/
Ron Paul might upset McCain in Texas….I’ve seen tons of Ron Paul signs all over Texas, but I haven’t seen one McCain sign. That is, if you don’t consider the Diebold effect.
Is Gwen Ifill one of the people on TV or what? I remember wishing CBS would’ve been brave and gave Gwen the anchor slot instead of Legz Couric.
I had to turn Tweety on mute.
Why wouldnt they have someone from Obama’s campaign?
Its all Hillary again.
Not Michigan and Florida?
thanks, boo. it’s a dream job for me. i really like getting people excited about politics.
wow, talk about making a difference! Way to go gw!
add “best people…”
lol!!
Gwen Ifill is a Beltway-sipping cocktail-wienie-loving establishment journalist.
I believe Limbaugh. Mainly because he admits he was a very strange child, uninterested in both the things his peers were interested in…but also completed isolated from a normal adult experience.