I like the term policy skirmishes.

That is just about right for the level and limit of internet discourse at its best.

This is great, instructive stuff Steve. You should really consider writing a book on political blogging.

About the 28:30 mark of the Valerie Plame/Amb.Wilson she alludes to the author whose book debut you help higlight tommorrow.

You defintely OWN the Bolton issue, hands down.

"... but I think that there are many replicable aspects of that experience that can be used in other worthwhile political and policy skirmishes."

YES!...now you should own the issue of prosecuting the torture guys...give them the Bolton and Wolfowitz treatment.

Political Blogs and Influence | Just how important are we?

McCain on blogs (from New York Times yesterday):

Q: What websites if any do you look at regularly?

Mr. McCain: Brooke and Mark show me Drudge, obviously,
everybody watches, for better or for worse, Drudge. Sometimes
I look at Politico. Sometimes RealPolitics, sometimes.

(Mrs. McCain and Ms. Buchanan both interject: “Meagan’s blog!”)

Mr. McCain: Excuse me, Meagan’s blog. And we also look at the
blogs from Michael and from you that may not be in the
newspaper, that are just part of your blog.

Q: But do you go on line for yourself?

Mr. McCain: They go on for me. I am learning to get online
myself, and I will have that down fairly soon, getting on myself. I
don’t expect to be a great communicator, I don’t expect to set
up my own blog, but I am becoming computer literate to the
point where I can get the information that I need – including
going to my daughter’s blog first, before anything else.

Q: Do you use a blackberry or email?

Mr. McCain: No

Mark Salter: He uses a BlackBerry, just ours.

Mr. McCain: I use the Blackberry, but I don’t e-mail, I’ve never
felt the particular need to e-mail. I read e-mails all the time,
but the communications that I have with my friends and staff
are oral and done with my cell phone. I have the luxury of being
in contact with them literally all the time. We now have a phone
on the plane that is usable on the plane, so I just never really
felt a need to do it. But I do – could I just say, really – I
understand the impact of blogs on American politics today and
political campaigns. I understand that. And I understand that
something appears on one blog, can ricochet all around and get
into the evening news, the front page of The New York Times.
So, I do pay attention to the blogs. And I am not in any way
unappreciative of the impact that they have on entire campaigns
and world opinion.

WOW!!!!

He's actually close to "learning to get online myself". Bush must be teaching him all about them there "internet tube" do-hickeys.

Damn, Ollie, give that man the nuclear football!!!!

Everytime I hear someone say, " I hate the bloggers", and I've heard McCain say it a few times not to pick on him because they all say it, I think, geez, do you really hate your fellow Americans and want to deny us our voice?
Keep up the good work Steve but post more puppy pictures too. It's time for an updated shot of your " gang of three"....

For the record, a few years ago John McCain told me in front of a gaggle of reporters that he was looking at The Washington Note on occasion because he had seen it more frequently quoted in National Journal's "Hotline." ;-)

best, steve clemons

I guess we`ll still have to wait a while for McCain to chose a
moniker (BombBombBombIran?) and start commenting here?

The captcha problems may trigger his bad temper and discourage
him from this damned online business. On the other hand,
perhaps TahoeEditor can teach him how to deal with that
obstacle...

The TWN Craptcha Routine:

1. Click BACK then REFRESH (do NOT click "return to the article").
2. Type in new craptcha
3. Post whining complaint to Steve so he can ignore it
4. Repeat