On page A3 of today’s Washington Post:
Another liberal movement leader, Daily Kos blog founder Markos Moulitsas, said he “long ago” cut off contact with the White House. “It’s clear that they want to double down on their capitulation strategy,” he said in an e-mail.
Those words are written in English, but I cannot seem to get them to make sense in that order.
The staff of the leader of the free world, with the world’s most powerful bully pulpit, in service of a president whose persuasive and oratorical abilities are endlessly touted, find themselves needing the assistance of the founder of Daily Kos? And when they reach out to him, he refuses to hear them? And he’s refused to respond to them for quite some time now? In other words, he doesn’t respond to their e-mails or calls, and they keep calling?
That makes no sense for Obama and his team, to appear so needy to blogger, even one with the traffic of Kos. It makes no sense to do it with a blogger with Kos’ reputation for controversy. It really makes no sense to keep doing it after he’s snubbed them.
And it really makes no sense for Kos to think he can best achieve his agenda by refusing to interact with the White House.
You assume that Kos is telling the truth. While it is likely considering this White House, it also is quite possible he's puffing himself up (it wouldn't be the first time).
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI want to comment, but I'm too busy ignoring Bush's phone call right now.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThis goes hand in hand with Bob Cesca's piece in the Huffington Post on this topic in general. Bob makes specific mention of Markos.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm confused... I thought Gibbs said ' We're not afraid of one guy with a laptop.'
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI hope it's true, and I heartily approve. May they continue in animosity forever!
Honestly though, what I really believe is that high-profile liberals are walking away from the prez by request of the prez, in order that he appear more centrist to the electorate.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm Markos Moulitsas, and I cut off contact with the White House. No matter how much they beg, I won't return their calls. I told everyone not to pick up when they call, even my wife. Morgan Fairchild. Whom I've slept with."
Yeah, right, Markos. That's the ticket.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm getting a _Sunset Boulevard_ vibe from this. Look at me, dangit - I'm still important! Is Mr Moulitsas ready for his close-up?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGiven Daily Kos's general avoidance of hyperbole and drama, I have no choice but to believe that the story happened exactly as he tells it, with no liberties taken with the truth whatsoever.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSomebody needs to tell Markos that pop up ads asking him to participate in a survey are not being sent by the President.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI think Buster wins the Internets for today.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseActually, it makes perfect sense. Kos and Obama are two users, each intent on exploiting the other. Obama's operation contacts Kos to pretend to listen to him and then issue marching orders; Kos gives the Obama operation his instructions and ignores (well, actively denounces) the marching orders they've given him.
At some point, a user stops interacting with someone whom he can't use. Obama doesn't act on Kos's instructions, so he has no further use for the "dialogue." On the other side, Obama's operation has no choice but to keep "reaching out," because they have no other way to try to keep their base on board than through friendly blogaganda.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow will Obama ever bear up under the disgrace?
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