Update on Blogger Payments
Captain Ed linked to this
post by Jon Lauck regarding the payments he received from the Thune campaign. Lauck writes:
On the eve of the release of the report skewering CBS for trying to undermine the President in the final months of the presidential race, I've been getting some very funny emails about this CBS News report attacking the Dakota blogs for not being "objective." Please keep them coming. Anyway, the broad issue is the continuing plausibility of MSM's claims to be "objective" when they are obviously not. Bloggers, on the other hand, have opinions. It's what we do.
This is missing the point entirely. Kerry Haters was not objective, either. The point is not about objectivity, it's about being bought and paid for. George Will is not objective. Molly Ivins is not objective. But they are also not paid shills for their respective political parties. They are free to criticize their own side when they feel it is warranted, and Will, in particular, seems to take delight in so doing.
It's fine that they made some money on their blogs; that's a good sign for the blogosphere. But they should have been candid with their readers. Lauck mentions that the Argus Leader had a front page article on his consulting deal with Thune; if that's the case, why didn't he disclose it to the rest of us?
Update: Hugh Hewitt has a
similar take:
That having been said, the two blogs that received support from the Thune campaign ought to have declared that support. It is prudent to anticipate criticism and to disarm it by disclosure.
