A funny thing happened to my Lijit social search results (that little box to the right) - "Johnny Thunders" was replaced over the last eight weeks or so by "Clinton blogger." That means more people are coming here because I'm somehow perceived as a pro-Hillary blogger than as an aging fan of a long-dead New York glam-punk rocker. Where they get this notion, I'll never know. Funny how the world turns, but as Johnny might intone in a voice that, dare I say it, may have occasionally seemed shrill: "it doesn't pay to try, all the smart boys know why."
But enough of lyrical asides from Max's Kansas City circa 1979, and on to more pressing matters. "Clinton blogger," eh? Well, I guess it's fair. And come to think of it, being a somewhat prominent Clinton blogger puts me an elite group - fewer in number, I suspect, than the roster of drummers employed by the Heartbreakers in their, uh, heyday.
To be a Clinton blogger in the progressive blogosphere is to be hated, shunned, passed without notice in the street. We sit home on Friday nights, cursing at Chris Matthews and being censored by Al Giordano for commenting too often in a field of swaying Obama supplication. We're not welcome at all the best dKos parties - if we show up, we're cursed with the universal epithet of those who challenge the Obama hegemony: "troll," they call us. Sometimes "f'ing troll." We're Rovian in our embrace of the monster, closet Bush backers and much worse - Lieberman types! Oh, the pain. The pure pain. I can't stand it. Makes me want to quit, embrace that messianic goodness, and stand down - for the sake of the party, of course - from any pursuit of a Clinton presidency.
Or perhaps...not. Looking over the (all-too-short) lineup of Clinton bloggers is enough to stiffen any political spine. We don't have numbers, but we do have quality. And with seven weeks to go till Pennsylvania, it's worth a little time to look around the room. There's Taylor Marsh, of course - unapologetic, in your face, deeply annoying to those who decry "the Clintons." Why, her very name launches vast armadas of angry commenters, her very name has become almost synonymous with hard-fisted Clinton blogging. We like her out front, in other words.
And look, we've got James Wolcott - the intellectual equivalent, according to some recent Pew research, of a combined 14,392 DailyKos Obama diarists. (I must note: he'd probably disapprove of the label "Clinton blogger" but we have to stretch things on our roster at times and he did coin the memorable phrase: "so shun me, I voted for Hillary," which has pretty much become our rallying cry - the T-shirts are on order). Then there's Big Tent Democrat and Jeralyn Merritt at TalkLeft - absolutely fabulous analysts and media critics. We'll include Lance Mannion, who has never named his choice but makes the always curious decision to actually defend Hillary Clinton in multiple posts - yes, he's one of us. Blue Girl, of course, and in Ohio too - so very crucial.
Let's not forget the prolific Riverdaughter, a feminist of wide-ranging abilities who always seems to nail what's so important about the typical Clinton voter (hint: they work, and they work at hard jobs). Our circle is made richer by the addition of the indomitable Shakespeare's Sister, a former Edwards blogger and all-around blog-whoring (her term, don't shoot me!) maestro.
Who else? John Amato at Crooks and Liars - playing it fair these days makes you a Clinton blogger. Fred Wilson and Jeff Jarvis? Well, they voted for her and actually admitted it in public. Joe Gandelman? An always moderate voice who seems to lean her way (I could be wrong). Jon Swift? The rare righty who doesn't hate Hillary. And I'm thinking Jane Hamsher leans our way. And Jessica Valenti. Digby too. And hey, maybe Tina Brown?
Heck, that's a team. Who else qualifies? I know I've missed someone. Let me know! You may qualify for a limited edition Peter Daou bobblehead doll.
UPDATE: The suggestions are flying in - can't believe I missed some of these, since I read 'em all the time. how about these fine, brave souls: eRiposte and Jeff Dinelli at the Left Coaster and netroots pioneer Jerome Armstrong and Todd Beeton at MyDD. Let's not forget Pamela Leavey, Larry Johnson, Tennessee Guerilla Women, Lane Hudson, Perez Hilton, Susie Madrak, the Daily Howler and and everybody at Hillary's Bloggers.
UPDATE II: They keep rolling in; we do like to stick together. Many more to add to the roster (can't believe my addled state to leave off some of them). There's savvy Anglachel and The Redstar Perspective, not to mention the ever-vocal NYC Weboy. Lots of great perspective at The Hillary 1000, too (though we're a blogger or two short of a grand). Let's not forget the fierce Blue Lyon and the The Reclusive Leftist, and the growl of Mojave Wolf. Keep 'em coming and add these good people to your feedreaders and blogrolls.
UPDATE III: What a list, and it keeps on growing. More in a moment. But I'd also like to make an observation from visiting these great blogs - most (not all) of what we're calling Clinton blogs are really progressive political blogs, left of center and run by political realists. They are in the main, not hysterical about Hillary Clinton's opponent - indeed, many is the kind word to be found about Barack Obama. I'd venture this is the obverse of the more vocal Obama blogs, where the opponent has been cast not as a valid if secondary Democratic choice for president, but as a monster and far worse. OK - to add to the list (and I'm addled for having missed some): and her buds at Republic of Dogs bring the attitude. The RealSpiel is a real find, and we certainly leave out the amazing Bartcop. Let's not forget the noble Donna Darko, nor the important voting bloc over at MOMocrats. And even in the darkest depths of Mordor (spring, 2008 version) a little light can always be found in the charming personages of Alegre and BrownSox. And let's all add the feisty Delilah Boyd and Sugar N Spice to our blogrolls as well, along with outspoken I Have an Opinion and the cringing but proud West and Divided. Save room there for the elegant Democratic Wings and the erudite Progressive Involvement blogs. Old favorites Feministe and Susie Madrak have been suggested, and will indeed be noted, as has blogging buddy Dave Johnson, who usually plays it down the middle - and should receive our praise and linkage.
