Bloggers on the Bus

by: Alegre

Mon May 18, 2009 at 22:24:26 PM EDT

UPDATE 2: Boehlert just tweeted a reminder that we can check out the index of his book on the Amzaon website (linked below).  Check it out!

UPDATE: Eric Boehlert will be on The Stephanie Miller Show this morning at 10:30 am, and Ron Reagan's show from 7-8pm this evening.

Eric Boehlert (Media Matters, Salon, Rolling Stone) has a new book coming out tomorrow.  Its called Bloggers on the Bus: How the internet changed politics and the press (Bloggers).  I've gotten a sneak peak at an advance copy and I have to say that despite my wanting Boehlert to push harder on the whole sexism thing, I learned a lot from his book and would highly recommend it.  

Now I don't review a lot of books but you guys might want to check out my fumbling attempt to review this one - Boehlert covers one event in particular I think you'll find really interesting.

Make the jump for more (psst chapter 8 talks about the WRITERS' STRIKE at dKos)

I'm surprised more bloggers havent mentioned this book, but I think Madrak hit the nail on the head by noting that the only people posting reviews seem to be those who objected to the sexist way the majority of the established bloggers treated Hillary during the election.  Its as if people just cant bring themselves to admit that the blogosphere might not be as progressive as we all think it is.  All in all, the blogs are dominated by white, educated and (for the most part) privileged young men so everyone assumes theyre progressive (and on some issues they are).  But that doesnt mean theyre not prone to using sexist BS to get their point across - especially when they go after Hillary.  I was struck by the way several women bloggers said they didnt see a deep and persistent level of sexism among the regulars on the blogosphere  I expect that from the guys but from women?

I dunno, maybe some bloggers missed it when the pie wars erupted at dailykos and anyone who objected to those sexist ads was dismissed as being a part of the womens studies group.  And just because someone doesnt allow people to dismiss women with the C or the B word, it doesnt mean they run a misogyny-free zone.  The claim by one A-list blogger that his site wasnt a hot-bed of sexism, and his dismissal of anyone who challenged that fantasy as idiots speaks volumes about one blogger in particular (misogyny card my aunt fannie).  

They saw absolutely no sign of sexism on their own blogs, but one in particular is all over the sexism aimed at another strong woman in politics (and rightly so).  Check out a video that was just posted at AmericaBlog

When it's coming from the far right, they acknowledge and even respond to it in much the same way we objected when we saw them post some of the same stuff on their blogs about Hillary.  But when its coming from the left and its aimed at someone they don't like (another DEMOCRAT!), well were playing the misogyny card and are all idiots for pointing it out.

Just sayin' (shrugs).

This book covers a lot more ground than the election, and for people like me who tended to focus on our own little corner of the blogosphere over the years, this is a great review of the people who helped get the blogs to where they are today.

In Bloggers, Boehlert talks with people like Mayhill (Bittergate) Fowler from Huffington Posts Off the Bus, who spent $50,000 of her own money to cover the election last year.  And remember that video that compared Hillary to Big Sister (Vote Different)?  I hated that video but it's still a part of the blogospheres history, and Eric devotes a chapter to what went into it and the events that played out after.  Then there's the poor guy who put together BHOs MySpace group of fans long before he announced for the White House (hint: hes not looking to get a job out of the new administration).  What I found especially interesting was the chapter about Crooks and Liars and the way they changed the face of the net altogether with their quick turnaround of videos from whatever news story hit the airwaves on any given day.

It's true the Internet played a large role in politics over the past few years.  I probably put less stock in the level of influence the blogosphere played in last years election though.  I spent a LOT of time on the blogs over the years, but I think the volunteer work I did at the campaigns phone bank made as much of an impact as anything I posted online.  I really loved talking with voters who hadn't chosen a candidate yet.   It's that one-on-one contact with voters where you exchange stories and you get the chance to give them your reasons for backing Hillary that matters.  I mean lets face it  after a point anyone who turns up at a Democratic blog has already chosen a candidate and is there to advocate for them.  If they love Hillary I won't win their vote - she already has it.  And if they hate her... well you get the idea.  So those phone calls later in the primary season were making far more of an impact than any of my online posts could.

All in all this is a great book.  Pick it up at your local bookstore or order a copy from Amazon.

Oh, as for the walkout at dkos... You guys might enjoy chapter 8, which deals with our little writers strike.  Boehlert did a great job of covering it.  He and I spoke about this a couple of times and I really appreciate the way he reported my take on things.  He also spoke with several A-list bloggers and got their take on what happened last year when the blogosphere was split over the primary wars.  You'll have to read the book for the details.