MSNBC just launched “HardBlogging” which is a companion site to Chris Matthews “Hardball” show. Frankly, it’s a pretty weak attempt at catching the meme. I agree with Tom that just throwing up a blog and starting to collect all sorts of posts really isn’t what it’s about. Ron Reagan and Dee Dee Myers et. al. may have some interesting insights, but as far as I’m concerned, they’re still representing the corporate bosses. The best part about Winer and Marshall and Kos are that a) I’ve read them for a long time and I have this kind of weird relationship of trust built up with them, and b) as far as I can tell, they’re owned by their readers. Now, are they reporters? Nah. They’re columnists, and I’m sure their bias will come through. What I’m hoping from those three is that they wade through the party pablum and tell me what’s really going on on the convention floor. Are people REALLY jazzed about Kerry-Edwards? Are the delegates REALLY united behind the party platform? Everyone keeps saying that they’re just going to spin things for the left, but I have a pretty good feeling that these guys aren’t going to spew out press releases. And that’s what makes this so freakin’ interesting to me. It’s the first time there have been potentially independent voices with reach at a convention.
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