On the front page of Sam Brownback’s campaign site is a box titled “Brownback on the Blogs,” quoting favorable comments about Brownback from the blogosphere. This box amuses me for several reasons. For one, there are only two quotes. This I understand; most of the Brownback commentary I’ve seen could be most favorably described as disappointed.
The feature (if that’s what it is) doesn’t actually link out to these blogs, which is annoying at least. One reason may be that one of the quotes comes from Leon H. Wolf, who is a paid staffer of the Brownback campaign. They do note this, so it’s more sad than scandalous. Here’s the other comment:
Now that one is an independent endorsement and even one with a bit of a ring. So what’s the problem? It turns out that Tim Aker writes Thurrock Tory. Yes, from England. That Aker’s website is relatively obscure is no problem — most bloggers’ are. Their ubiquity and connectivity is what transmits “memes” around the web. But when your biggest online supporter comes from across the pond, well, that’s a little different. And actually, there is another problem. Two paragraphs later, Aker writes:
I still support Newt Gingrich.
Here’s a lesson: If you’re going to tout the support of bloggers, first make sure you have support of bloggers.
Update: In the comments, Psycheout from Blogs 4 Brownback points out that it’s not like Brownback doesn’t have the support of any bloggers, and Aker himself confirms that he thinks both Gingrich and Brownback would make fine prime ministers. And both wish the Brownback campaign would actually, you know, link.
Funny post. I noticed that box on the Brownback campaign website too. There are several blogs that have written good things about Sam Brownback and it would be wise for his website to link to them. However it’s also dangerous because a nasty comment left by an anonymous commenter on a blog can be unfairly linked to the Senator and he would be expected to explain or justify it.
This is probably why the site doesn’t link to any of the fine blogs who support him. One such blog is Blogs 4 Brownback and another is Students for Brownback.
So it does look clunky and silly to mention blogs but not link to any, display more than two, or show more recent posts as they appear. But it’s understandable why they don’t. They should either pick some posts and update their blog box often or abandon it altogether.
I’m pretty disappointed in Brownback’s latest comments backing up General Pace’s bigoted quotes on gays. He should’ve just leaved well enough alone.
I would be delighted to have either Sam Brownback or Newt Gingrich as prime minister and support both in this race, so far. Gingrich is a man of conservative ideas, developing out of the Reagan/Thatcher tradition within conservatism. Sam Brownback is a social conservative. So am I. Therefore, I support both..hedging my bets, somewhat til the April/May debates and the Iowa caucus.
Moreover, is it such a problem that I write from England? Or was your point that Brownback lacks a wide blogging support base?
True, I would like the Brownback site to link to mine, if only to generate a wider readership for my blog ;)