Newsweek Hires Kos

Newsweek magazine is tapping Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas as a contributor to its 2008 presidential campaign coverage. He'll write "occasional opinion pieces" for the magazine and website, continuing Newsweek's tradition of representing "a diversity of views," according to a defensive company press release. Moulitsas says the magazine will balance him out with a conservative that should make liberal bloggers' heads "explode."

Reaction in the blogosphere has been muted so far -- a few conservative complaints and a smattering of liberal congratulations. People could just be busy with campaign politics and other issues, but I think that maybe folks are waiting for the other shoe to drop. The netroots often celebrates bloggers who "crash the gate," but if Newsweek pairs Moulitsas with a disreputable right winger, savvy activists may consider it too high a cost.

"By 'pairing' Kos with a nut, the [implication] is Kos needs to be a nut also," one Daily Kos commenter noted on Tuesday. Another asked Kos:

Congrats, Markos, But why did you tacitly approve Newsweek naming someone that will make our collective head explode[?] You essentially concede the MSM meme that Daily Kos is fringe [...] Why should Newsweek be allowed to name a wingnut "to balance you out." I bet your views are with the majority of this country on issue after issue and in poll after poll[...]

The netroots waged an effective campaign in 2006 against right wing blogger Ben Domenech, who was fired after three days with the Washington Post when reports emerged of his plagiarism and other questionable writings. Many liberal bloggers pride themselves as more ethical and honest than some of the more sinister web operatives on the Right. So if Moulitsas' ticket to this party required, say, escorting Ann Coulter, that would not play well. Yesterday, Moulitsas responded to reader comments by saying he had "no idea who would balance [him] out." Naturally, kosacks have already started their own online poll to speculate on the choices.

Comments (13)

1. Speaking of Daily Kos....the final nail in HSUBFOOLS' "Gore '08" coffin-

   dailykos.com

   Word from Al Gore's Office: Stop Ballot initiatives by Abraham Running For Congress When I Turn 25

   Mon Nov 12, 2007 at 09:25:38 PM PST It is painful for me to write these words, I just got this letter from Karen Wunderman Chief of Staff at AlGore.org

   Dear AFG Steering Committee Members:

   We have received a communication from a member of Al Gore's staff discouraging our efforts to put Al Gore's name on any primary ballots. This includes California, New York, Massachusetts, and the write-in effort in New Hampshire, as well as any other states that are working to get him on the ballot. Accordingly, effective immediately, we are recommending that all groups cease their signature collection and related fund-raising activities.----AlGore.org

   Posted by Mask at 11/14/2007 @ 10:37am

2. it will be interesting to see who they get to balance this out...

   gore-gone

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/14/2007 @ 11:04am

3. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 11/14/2007 @ 11:04am |

   Jonah Goldberg?....Glenn Beck?....Michelle Malkin?

   Posted by Mask at 11/14/2007 @ 11:17am

4. Posted by MASK 11/14/2007 @ 11:17am |

   malkin...now thats one hot she con-troll lesbian...

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/14/2007 @ 12:46pm

5. writing for Newsweek is a step up?

   what world do liberal bloggers live in, anyway?

   Posted by Scrub at 11/14/2007 @ 12:47pm

6. Watch out for the MSM efforts to "co-opt" netroots, as they obviously are concerned about loosing audience.

   Posted by Metteyya at 11/14/2007 @ 1:09pm

7. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 11/14/2007 @ 12:46pm

   No, no, no...you can't actually SAY that, IBB.

   No liberal is supposed to admit that Malkin, despite her right-wing lunacy, is babe-a-licious!

   Posted by Mask at 11/14/2007 @ 1:28pm

8. Posted by MASK 11/14/2007 @ 1:28pm

   didn't say she don't deserve a good spankin'...lol...

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/14/2007 @ 3:46pm

9. Like anyone really thinks any major national liberal media sourse can be credible.---Posted by RIO BRAVO 11/14/2007 @ 3:42pm

   Obviously "credibility" doesn't stop one from BLOGGING at a national liberal media source, huh???

   Posted by Mask at 11/14/2007 @ 3:51pm

10. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 11/14/2007 @ 3:46pm

    Want to really start a flame war...try to discuss Malkin and her looks (or even Ingraham or Laurie Dhue).

    It's like Diogenese looking for an honest man.

    Posted by Mask at 11/14/2007 @ 3:59pm

11. Posted by MASK 11/14/2007 @ 3:59pm

    lol - i attracted more female college republicans back when i was pres of the young democrats! they loved being dominated by a powerful liberal demoncrat!

    moohaha! malkin is sizzlin. definately needs to be punished...lesbian - pffft!

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/14/2007 @ 5:56pm

12. No liberal is supposed to admit that Malkin, despite her right-wing lunacy, is babe-a-licious!

    Posted by MASK 11/14/2007 @ 1:28pm

    I see those lips of hers in my dreams at night. Imagine what those could do to ya. Mmm..Mmmm...Mmmm.

    Want to really start a flame war...try to discuss Malkin and her looks (or even Ingraham or Laurie Dhue).

    Do they have a Fantasy league for Hottie Political Talking Heads? I'll match your Ingraham with one from the left...Flavia Colgan. I'll substitute Laurie Dhue for mega hottie Juliet Huddy. And as an alternate, I'll pick Ilana Mercer from the Libertarian camp.

    --Yea, team!

    Posted by Sliver at 11/14/2007 @ 8:53pm

13. RIO BRAVO claims that Moulitsas is a leftwing extremist blogger !! If only!! Perhaps you think the same of Hillary Clinton, minus the blogging bits.

    Posted by Tom Paine Jr at 11/20/2007 @ 8:40pm