Applesauce » Traffic on political blogs explodes in this election season

Traffic on political blogs explodes in this election season

October 22nd, 2008 at 07:31pm Pat Cunningham

In a microcosm of a national trend, the number of visitors here at Applesauce nearly doubled last month from the month before.

TheRawStory REPORTS that blog traffic is up sharply and broadly at liberal and conservatives sites alike as the political campaign season moves through the stretch drive.

What this means, of course, is that the blogosphere is having an increasing influence on the political process, perhaps in ways we’ve yet to fully understand.

And make no mistake, you’re part of that influence.

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized

15 Comments Add your own

1. Billybeermonicagar | October 22nd, 2008 at 7:55 pm

Pat, Thanks for the outlet.
2. Henry | October 22nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm

Pat -

Blogs like this are for the ‘chattering class’ as you call them, and I thoroughly enjoy it. Well done.
3. bob trojan | October 22nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm

Well, as you spend 24/7 and kick everyone else off the main page 24/7, it’s a disadvantage to the rest of us who are volunteer bloggers.
Besides, it’s definably a one-sided approach and not objective as media is supposed to be, or used to be.
4. Henry | October 22nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm

Blogs aren\’t news and don\’t have to be objective. Perhaps you take issue with the fact that this is a liberal blog. Too bad. Pat doesn\’t work for you. Would you be making the same comments if this were a conservative blog? One other thing, could you expand on the \’kick everyone else off the main page 24/7\" comment. What the hell that does mean?
5. Pat Cunningham | October 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 pm

Henry: What he’s referring to is the automatic system that places headlines from blogs on the front page of RRSTAR.com. The system is chronological. The relatively heavy volume of posts I produce tends to bump the work of other RRSTAR bloggers (including Mr. Trojan) off the front page after only brief exposure there. The system is beyond my control; the only way I could avoid bumping other bloggers too quickly would be to time their exposure, which is way too bothersome, or reduce my output, which I ain’ta gonna do. It’s really all your fault, Henry. Your comments are a muse to me and unleash an irresistible urge to write pearls of wisdom that might save society from wrack and ruin. I’m only a tool in the grand scheme of things.
6. Mike Carroll | October 23rd, 2008 at 7:16 am

I’m just thankful that this site exists.It gives liberals and conservatives an opportunity to debate and inform in a somewhat civil manner. As a Conservative, it gives me insight into the thinking of the other side.I may never agree with the liberal positions but at least I’m exposed to the thinking.If your only sources of information/opinion are those that you agree with then you are in an intellectual closed loop.
Thanks for the opportunity Pat and, BTW, thats as nice as I get.Once the medication wears off I’ll be back to normal.
7. Billybeermonicagar | October 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 am

This just in! Fox News reports that Pat Cunningham said,”I’m only a tool…”
8. DingDong | October 23rd, 2008 at 8:10 am

Pat is definitely a tool. It make you a better conservative and person when you are not on a blog that just preaches to the choir.
9. echo4charlie | October 23rd, 2008 at 9:45 am

I wouldn’t call him a tool. Just strongly and inflexibly opinionated. That’s the beauty of this thing.

We do, however, lose our civility from time to time (I know I do)……….
10. hokumboy | October 23rd, 2008 at 9:59 am

At least here there’s no blood.
Or, at least very little.
11. Barney | October 23rd, 2008 at 1:49 pm

This is OBVIOUSLY a Liberal blog

Reason:
It allows far right wing idiots free reign to
spread their ignorance and intolerance.

If it were a Conservative ( so called) Blog

There would be no dissent allowed

Thanks for the blog Pat, This obscene little red growth on the top of the State is an embarrassment to the entire blue State of Illinois.

As a Liberal living amongst all of this ignorance its a breath of fresh air to see someone of your caliber speak up for progressive values while exposing the hate mongering Right in all of their stupidity.

Good Job

Obama/Biden 08
12. Billybeermonicagar | October 23rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm

Hey Barney, How proud of our Gov. are you?
13. echo4charlie | October 23rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm

Barney’s quote:

“As a Liberal living amongst all of this ignorance its a breath of fresh air to see someone of your caliber speak up for progressive values while exposing the hate mongering Right in all of their stupidity.”

You can always move away………………Leave the area……. So who, really is guilty of your accused stupidity here? You sit lazily in a spot that you’ve stated that you hate, and make no effort to leave. You just lie in one spot and shout angry complaints. The embarrassing little red growth on the top of the state won’t stand in your way. And, it’s still a free country………

Move to California.

So, please…………….

And, Billybeermonicagar has a good question. How proud are you of our Governor? He wasn’t even acknowledged by Senator Obama at the DNC. He’s distanced himself, so, there is more to that dirt than just dirt. Shall he join former Governor Ryan?

You know what the word “Liberal” means to me?

Refusal to acknowledge the state of the world that we live in, and have the intestinal fortitude to make the hard decision.

What have I been saying for a long time about Russia and Iran on this blog (and their supply of natural gas to Europe). Haven’t I been saying this will happen? Now what? Are we going to swoop in diplomatic relation with President Medvid………sorry, Prime Minister Putin?

Barrack Obama is not Javier Solana, and never will be. He just won’t. The rest of the world doesn’t see a powerful diplomat. They see an inexperienced junior politician that is ripe and ready to be taken advantage of. They see the second coming of Jimmy Carter.

America’s mistake, even though our educational system is far behind the rest of the world, is that we think everyone else is stupid.
14. Craig Knauss | October 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm

“You can always move away………………Leave the area……. So who, really is guilty of your accused stupidity here? You sit lazily in a spot that you’ve stated that you hate, and make no effort to leave. You just lie in one spot and shout angry complaints. The embarrassing little red growth on the top of the state won’t stand in your way. And, it’s still a free country………

Move to California.”

Great advice Echo. I guess you haven’t noticed that Illinois is a BLUE state and that Rockford and Winnebago County is fairly well balanced politically. It changed pretty dramatically in the 60’s and 70’s to the way it is now. So it’s not Barney that’s the odd one out. It’s far-rightwingers, like you. So if you have that much disdane for liberals, feel free to move. I suggest Idaho. Maybe you’ll get to meet their famous toe-tapping senator. He’s far right also.
15. echo4charlie | October 24th, 2008 at 11:51 am

I don’t dislike the area. I take that back. I don’t think it is full of the whackos that Barney described. I do, however hold dissapointment in Rockford’s refusal to progress, and if that doesn’t change, I will, actually move away (I’m giving 3-4 years, and am looking at Duluth, MN). I know blue states, believe me. It’s not Democrats I disagree with. It is some of the farther reaching liberal contingent.

We do have a lot of local issues that need serious address (public schools, public safety, the type of progressive lifestyle that brings in major corporations, and encourages people to move in, etc.).

I do like Idaho, as a whole, though.