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." (Rachel Sklar has more.)

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.

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Comments

[stumpy]

sorenmeetsdylan, it seems you are proud of the shame Blackwater has heaped upon the once glorious name of this nation.

[newliberal]

Kos does not represent the mainstream views of Americans nor of the Democratic party. It's disheartening that the MSM keeps inflating the signifigance of left-wingers. I support the values that are more mainstream for Democrats and America:

-pro-choice for abortion rights, retirement plans, school selection, healthcare opportunities

-pro-American in foreign policy where we assert that America is generally good and does good.

-pro-family values that resents the msm and hollywood trying to force decadence on us including "alternative families", lifestyles, lack of respect for tradition and good institutions, etc.

Once again the MSM in the form of Newsweek is using CW to define the left.

We need to have a truly progressive voice that is willing to seek out and support what is right for and about America. This may offend many of the interests groups especially the gay rights crowd and the pacificists. However, standing for what is correct is always the right thing to do.

[Tator]

Ann Coulter will eat Markos lunch and send him home crying!

[2lib4oh]

Newsweek knows what they are doing.They made a good choice with Markos. He is thoughtful, energetic, and can hold his own with the best of them.

As for the "hateful people" on Kos, that is the sound of people fed up with a toxic presidency that is ruining our economy and causing increasing polarization between
its own citizens for its own poltical
gain and their loss.

If you aren't angry, you haven't been paying attention or you
don't give a damn when Limbaugh attacks a 12 year-old kid because he
needs expensive healthcare. Now THAT is hateful!

[SamEllison]

The GOP really has no one like Kos, he's a vet!
I would like to see him take Frank Luntz to the cleaners every week.

[bronceye]

Who, honestly, on the right is capable of putting forth a singular and unique opinion on anything? Let me know. The Republican box of chocalates is full of sugar coated goobers, some with more nuts,but still the same. Different names, same words over and over and over, until it becomes percieved as true. To divert from the directives is by itslef, a leftist type of condition. A thought is leftist. You have to be very ignorant to listen to many people all saying the same thing. Do you want to win in Iraq?

[UltraClassic]

I'll say one more thing about KOS as it relates to the Huffington Post. I will likely vote for Clinton, but not Edwards or Obama thanks in part to much reading on this site as well as others. I spend time on the HuffPo because the bloggers really challange conservative values, many of which need to be challanged. HuffPo seems to strike a good balance and the commentors for the most part are reasoned people with very strong core beliefs. HuffPo does a good job in weeding out the racists, anti-semites and general wacked out haters.

I can't say the same for KOS.

[NYCexile]

We can call it the Kool-Aid War of 2008.

You really wanna win this one, Markos?
Lay off the gratuitous adjectives and the overwrought prose.

And pray for Michelle Malkin, she who never met a snarky comment she didn't like.

That's your only hope, to come off as less crazy than the right-winger, as your message will be the same:
'Hooray for us, a pox on them'

[UltraClassic]

What are you people so afraid of? If this KOS character is such a leftist savior, he should be able to hold his own.

But his web-site is nothing more than a fire breathing preacher preaching to the choir. We will see how he holds up once he ventures into the sunshine of opinions not of his own. If he's that good, he'll survive and maybe even change a few minds.

[TiaPaula]

The Kos' view on Blackwater was dead on. Blackwater was founded by Christian Conservatives that are armed to the teeth. They have every technology that our Army, Navy, Airforce and Marines have. The will be very affective at quelling any insurection in this country. And it will come to that sonner or later Corporate America will have to put their thumbs down on the disgruntled poor, and suffering Middle Class.

[TiaPaula]

I've seen Markos in action and he is a cool
customer. He can hold his own with any Rightwinger because he has the power of common sense and critical thinking. He will do well.

[zuzuzpetals]

As long as he stays out of the inside of the belt of DC maybe he can resist attempts to control him.

But maybe they'll give him free reign the first year--like a new puppy. Only gradually shortening the leash, not by punishments but by rewards, so he doesn't even notice he's not his own dog any more.

Invitations, access, trips--who knows how it happens that otherwise thinking observers become careerists, more interested in the lifestyle and lifespace that now flows their way, forgetting the fire they first had in their belly to help save the country.

Congratulations Markos. Guess you and we will see what you're made of. It's a great coup--that KOS is regarded as now this influential. Kudos.

[connorin]

I love how you assume Kos is legitimate...he manages a site that has had more than its share of problems with racist and anti-semetic diatribes that he just let go on...has allowed propagation of abhorrent rumors based in no (or proven false) "facts"...and you barely think of him as left, in fact you consider him to be "mainstream" and "centrist"...

PUHLEEEZE!!! Kos is barely more than a deep left cartoon character that is trying to pronounce himself mainstream flag bearer for the Party

That plus you automatically take his word for Gospel and even though you don't know who the "right" side will be, you have already disected them as Goebbels, a paid propogandist that simply spouts GOP lines without thought or opinions and is physically unable to tell the truth or use facts

Honestly...there is almost no point to it, heck Newsweek already reads like a chunk of its stories and views come from Kos NOW

[Yukon Jack]

It is to be hoped that, for the sake of balance, justice and the American Way, Newsweek will hire and publish the views emanating from one of the following: townhall.com, worldnetdaily.com or newsmax.com.

[sdskelton03]

daily kos is a fringe element.