War blogs and Trent Lott

In 2002, the war blogs entered the scene. War bloggers tapped a vein of outrage and political skepticism to keep the White House in the hot seat about the war in Afghanistan. Others expressed support and arguments for what was happening.

Joshua Micah Marshall, journalist and blogger, started his Talking Points Memo blog (at www.talkingpointsmemo.com) in late 2000. Marshall also writes for the Washington Monthly and several other traditional media publications.

During a speech at Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday celebration on December 5, 2002, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott remarked: "I want to say this about my state. When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years either." As Marshall pointed out, Thurmond ran on a presidential platform of racial segregation of schools and public facilities. Lott was, in fact, lamenting the loss of those good old days of legislated racism.

For whatever reason, most reporters gave Lott a pass on his statement, either because they didn't know the history or, perhaps, out of political ennui. Marshall, however, reported what had happened on his blog. And then reported some more. Other bloggers also picked it up and posted about it. Together, they brought Lott's statement back into the public eye, and into newspaper stories, and radio and television newscasts. By December 20, Lott had submitted his resignation.

Blogs can do a better job than traditional media of focusing on details and of keeping the conversation current and emotions fresh. Lott's resignation was evidence the bloggers had power in the real world and not just the virtual one — and that they could use it by drawing on the strengths of the medium: links, comments, and interaction.

Here are some additional resources for this event:

t Marshall's original post on Lott's remarks: www.talkingpointsmemo. com/archives/week_2002_12_01.php#000451

t Andrew Sullivan, another political blogger, jumps into the fray: www. andrewsulli'van.com/index.php?di'sh_i'nc=archi'ves/2002_12_08_ dish_archive.html#90029180

t The Washington Post reports on Lott's resignation: www.washingtonpost. com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A17080-2002Dec20

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