Politico: “GOP Losing New Media War”, Newsbusters: How To Win

The Politico’s Jonathan Martin cites this example of how the Left whomps the Right:

This week, for example, a young liberal writer named Spencer Ackerman heard that McCain committed a gaffe on Iraq in an unaired portion of an interview with CBS anchor Katie Couric. Ackerman, a former reporter for The New Republic and The American Prospect who now blogs at the liberal Firedoglake site, posted the transcript and pointed out the relevant portion just after 5:00 p.m. Tuesday night.

It was picked up by the Huffington Post two hours later, discussed on Keith Olbermann’s MSNBC show, moved onto The Associated Press wire overnight and by Wednesday afternoon McCain was forced to respond.

“We amplify its effect and then stay on it,” explains Arianna Huffington, namesake of the popular liberal news and entertainment hub.

What immediately sprang to mind were examples of conservatives finding examples of Media bias or gaffs by Obama, but here’s the thing: the left-wing media refuses to “amplify it’ because it doesn’t suit their purposes. Good luck getting a one day turnaround on exposing an Obama faux-pas or miscommunication or straight up misinformation.

Here are some examples:

Charles Johnson of Little Green Footballs had to go to the major media who eventually used his work to give him credit for exposing Iran’s fauxtography. So, they finally noted what he found but gave him no credit because to do so would be to amplify a conservative’s message.

Gateway Pundit exposes misses, lies, fabrications and misinformation every, single day. I wonder how often his work is “amplified” by the press?

Michelle Malkin makes it her mission to expose and shift the balance of news power. She is both pundit and reporter and she is hated for it.

So, while I think the Right can and should do better to find and break conservative stories, I’d also say that there are many who are doing just that but are less likely to get the “amplification” that a liberal blogger would.

Matt Sheffield of Newsbusters.org and Rathergate fame, writes an Op-Ed for the Washington Times today, about what is wrong with the Right and he comes to different conclusions, and better ones, than Jonathan Martin:

A good Web site and marketing plan is no substitute for good operations in other areas, however. That’s why it is frustrating to hear some Internet consultants promising the world if you’ll just pay them to build your site for you. It simply doesn’t work that way. Good technology is good tactics. Good tactics can never save a bad strategy, but a good strategy usually requires good tactics. Countless political and business startup Web sites come and go, many built on technology that was far ahead of its time.

As different as they may seem, both the spending and the technology camps are making the same type of argument: one of tactics, not strategy. The reason the Right has fallen on hard times is that it is in need of a strategic recalibration, not just newer and more conservative tactics.

Agreed. The problem isn’t technological or even bias by the mainstream media against the conservative message, although the bias amplifies the Left at the expense of the Right. The problem is the conservative message, or rather, the lack of one. No amount of exposing lies can substitute for supplying truth. A good conservative message rings true. It is simple and clear and understandable.

Since McCain is the new voice of Republicans, he’s going to have to hone his message. I have a few hints about what would work:

1. Small government (but I don’t think McCain believes this.)
2. Keep lower taxes
3. Energy independence by drilling
4. Free market = more jobs (compare Michigan with Texas)
5. Strong defense (no mention of Iraq needed–the issue is over for Americans)
6. Shore up infrastructure
7. Protect the environment–religious conservatives are very moved by this issue
8. America as the leader of innovation–this notion needs to be reintroduced and reinforced
9. Education freedom–putting the power back in the hands of parents

Sheffield concludes this way:

The conservative movement needs to take stock of its principles in the 21st century and find ways to reach out to voters about the issues of our time. Fighting terrorism is vitally important, but it is far from the only issue facing America. It’s time for the Right to step up to the plate and forcefully articulate an agenda that addresses not only foreign policy and other traditional Right-friendly topics, but also issues like the environment, education, high-technology and government reform – in a manner that adheres to conservative principles and exploits available technologies.

Conservative leaders need to get the message clear, concise, understandable and it has to ring true. From there, the McCain campaign in particular, needs to change their website from “send me money” to “connect with me now”. Ideas first. Get the ideas right, the money will flow like water.

Bloggers on the Right need to connect and support similarities and stop focusing on the differences. There is far more we agree upon. Newsbusters, Redstate, TheNextRight, HotAir, PajamasMedia and Porkbusters are getting it right by pulling together Right-leaning thinkers. There is power in numbers.

And like Eric Erickson of TheNEXTRight says, “We stop minding our own business and we engage. We stop being pundits yelling into the wind and start being activists yelling into the telephone.”

We can do all of this.

Posted in Nerd Stuff • Political Animals
Tags: Blogging • Conservatives • Internet • Republicans • Technology