Bill O'Reilly's Gonna Love This: Newsweek Taps Kos As '08 Kontributor

Score one for the Netroots! Newsweek has just announced that Markos Moulitsas, namesake and founder of the Daily Kos website, will be a contributor for the mag's 2008 election coverage.

Here's the statement from Newsweek editor Jon Meacham, which seems to anticipate some sort of reaction from a disgruntled element:

"We have always sought to represent a diversity of views in Newsweek, and we think Markos will be a great part of that tradition. He will give our readers in print and online a unique perspective. As always, our job is to create the most energetic and illuminating magazine possible, and Markos will help us do that as the campaign unfolds."

Well, it's not that unique a perspective, considering that Daily Kos is one of the most popular blogs around (though it's currently at #12 on Technorati — which makes it one of the top-rated political blogs, though (cough) behind the Huffington Post at #5). Once again this demonstrates that the inmates are taking over the asylum — bloggers are going mainstream, baby! I will note though that Kos' contributions are being framed as just that, as opposed to, say, reporting. Either way, Bill O'Reilly's gonna bust a gut. Can you imagine if NBC had hired him? Yikes.

Update: Yesterday when I originally posted I listed Daily Kos as being at #30 on Technorati's list of popular blogs — true, but only based on how many times it's been "Favorited." When I clicked on the "Popular Blogs" link that's what came up, and I didn't realize that Technorati had updated and included two tabs with results broken down according to two separate criteria (Most Linked To and Most Favorited). On the latter list, the Huffington Post is at #18. However, the more commonly-applied metric of popularity is the "Most Linked To" metric, and that was in fact what I meant to apply. ETP regrets the mix-up.

Related:
Chris Dodd defends Kos on O'Reilly [YouTube]

Comments

[paul475]

09:01 AM on 11/16/2007

Absolutely the worst move made by either Kos or Newsweek.

If Kos sticks around for this nonsense, he is more than entitled to my already low opinion of his work online -- and then some.

Karl Rove belongs at the end of a noose. Period. End of story. One does not dignify the behavior of war criminals by making them seem like they are mainstream.

[connorin]

04:12 PM on 11/15/2007

Let's see Kos debate Ol' Karl Rove!

[DigitalFuntown]

09:51 AM on 11/15/2007

Check out the hot new media channel, Digital Funtown (www.digitalfuntown.com). DFT features a unique blend of high-definition animation, comics, music and video shows.

Hailed by the Chicago Sun-Times as “edgy, zany, and even risqué” with “humor that’s as sharp as its technology and animation,” read the full article here: http://www.suntimes.com/technology/guy/647911,111307ecol.article

Check out these hilarious cartoons at digitalfuntown.com:

- Bloomington: “Save the Mexican Wombat”
- Cheboygan: “Jed & Ned Out on the Porch”
- Boston: “Cube Lobster”
- Alaska: “Sketchiest Catch”
- Washington DC: “Hos for Happiness”
- Central Park: “Voters Registration” featuring the Nut Cups (for a taste of hardcore hip hop)

At Digital Funtown, you can download content, blog, and even submit your own script! For a good time, visit www.digitalfuntown.com now!

[NABNYC]

07:38 PM on 11/14/2007

I heard that Newsweek talked to Bill O'Really about writing a weekly column but they could not come to terms. Among his bizarre demands were a little table and chair, 360 crayons and a glass of warm milk. And a naked lady. And a shower. And a falafel?? It just got too creepy.

[cheforacle]

01:10 PM on 11/14/2007

To defend Markos, I do not believe he is necessarily against impeachment under all circumstances. Second, even if he was against it (I'm for it, BTW - Cheney first though)that is hardly not a reason not to trust him. Moulitsas has done more for progressive causes than many who say, "Its my way or the highway." or for the matter those who support Kucinich or Gravel as they lack the capacity to effect real change. And also he is not pro-HRC. He has repeatedly said that he is not endorsing a candidate. He has approved of some things she does and disapproved of others. He understands nuance matters and until ideologues on the left begin to understand that absolute adherence to entrenched positions is usually not constructive we will continue to have people like Rudy Giuliani or Mitt Romney running the show. BTW, I support Obama (disagree with him on some things though) but like Dodd alot and would vote for HRC before voting independent because another Repub in the White House is perilous to our environment, economy and security.

[getalife80]

11:53 AM on 11/14/2007

Geez, does anyone actually read newsweek anymore?

[Vinquus]

11:28 AM on 11/14/2007

Yes, BUT...

The TradMedia is all about balance. So they're going to hire a liar to balance out Kos' truth-telling.

[YouThinkAndTalk]

11:01 AM on 11/14/2007

The strategy of the corporate takeover: make it user friendly.

First it was the great communicator: Ronald Reagan. Then a handsome and charismatic man: Bill Clinton. Then the "efficient" woman: Hillary. Then the dude: Markos Moulitsas. What is next?

Somewhere along the line came a cowboy, who screwed everything up. No class, no finesse.

[thacher]

10:49 AM on 11/14/2007

Yeah, let's make the leader of the Hitler Youth a contributor...way to think it through Newsweek. Good luck with that.

[yako]

10:48 AM on 11/14/2007

Markos is a H.C. supporter. Is there a connection?

[rwe]

10:35 AM on 11/14/2007

why would Bill say anything but "I told you so" This is non news for Newsweek

[jay1975]

08:18 AM on 11/14/2007

What liberal bias?

[skippybkroo]

11:50 PM on 11/13/2007

hey, isn't that snowball eating at the human table inside the farm?

[Balzac]

04:51 PM on 11/13/2007

Hmmm...

I can't think of any reason to be excited by this.

Kos is against impeachment.

I don't trust him at all.