Drudge keeps campaigns guessing



May 19 was a fairly typical day in the recent life of the Drudge Report.

There was a breathtaking picture of Sen. Barack Obama’s rally in Portland, Ore., framed by the words “AS FAR AS CAMERA'S EYE CAN SEE … THE OBAMA MASS.” And there was thinly veiled mockery of two other candidates: “Clinton Sits Through Sermon About Adultery,” was one headline. “State GOP chair: McCain ‘kind of like Jesus," was another, closely followed by “McCain’s national finance co-chair exits over lobbyist ties …”

The day, and the weeks before and since, capture what may be the most striking new feature of the 2008 media landscape. Matt Drudge has upended the conventional wisdom that he and his powerful online vehicle are stalwarts of the conservative message machine.

After skewering Al Gore and lampooning John Kerry, he’s emerged as an unreliable ally for the GOP, while trumpeting Obama’s victories and shrugging at his scandals.

“It’s clear to us that Barack Obama has won the Drudge Primary, and it's one of the most important primaries in this process,” conceded a senior aide to Hillary Rodham Clinton, who also acknowledged that Drudge’s treatment of Obama could make the Illinois senator more electable in November.

Now, as Obama and Sen. John McCain look toward the fall, Drudge has emerged unexpectedly as more of a threat to the Republican than to the Democrat. This, combined with the rise of left-leaning sites such as TalkingPointsMemo.com and HuffingtonPost.com — both of which have proved effective in promoting and amplifying a Democratic message — reflects a major shift from the last two presidential elections, a matter of open alarm to Republican strategists and surprised satisfaction to Democrats.

“The MSM is already sending love letters to Obama,” said a GOP operative who worked for the Bush-Cheney reelection. “That’s something that has traditionally been countered on the Republican side with talk radio, blogs to a lesser degree but especially Drudge. If those tools are not part of the Republican vehicle for message delivery, that’s crippling.”


The Drudge Report is no ordinary compendium of news stories. It is a heavily trafficked gateway to all corners of the Internet, a portal composed of links largely to breaking news from traditional media like The New York Times (as well as newer entrants like Politico). Most of the content is without any obvious ideological attachment. But operatives of both parties have long believed that his choice of links — along with occasional posts of Drudge's own reporting — have reflected a rightward tilt, and they assumed a preference for Republican candidates.

Drudge himself is reviled by many on the left, but his news instincts are undeniable — and he has an uncanny ability to drive the national conversation with what he chooses to highlight on his site.

Now, while his links tend to stress the energy and scale of the Obama phenomenon, he has emphasized a particularly damaging aspect of McCain’s candidacy: his age.

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Drudge keeps campaigns guessing - Jonathan Martin and Ben Smith - Politico.com


I dunno,maybe he's trying to be fair after what he did to Gore and Kerry -OR -he simply cant stand McCain ..

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Whatever the reason, he should be HONEST with his site viewers and just come out and say it...rather than let people sit there and speculate...

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"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

As much as I respect McCain, I can't vote for him because he is in that GOP mode where he is out of touch with the masses. Look at his weekend BBQ's must cost more than any of us earn in a month. But doesn't even put a dent in his (the wifes) wallet. Not that like any other person or family to live life at what one can afford is wrong. But I don't think he as with many other career politicans understand or really care for the middle class or lower people on the rung of the lower ladder of life.
Just my opinion and the last 30 years of our history. Not one of them have suffered any loses in the mess we find ourselves in todays economy situation.

And to continue the war at the present costs will just ruin our country, period. Again that is just IMHO...

So you won't be voting for President and presumably haven't voted for a hell of a long time, huh? This just in, they're all filthy rich.

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I didn't even know he was still alive. Are you sure people read Drudge? I don't know anyone who does. I mean they did for a year or two. But he is kind of yesterday isn't he. I mean the fedora should have gone the way of the Tucker bow tie.

I kind of feel bad for you, because obviously you don't know many people and/or are out of touch with reality. Drudge remains the top visited news site. Weren't you the one claiming no one visits Kos too? I suppose being #2 means there's no chance that it's influential ...

But please, never let the facts get in the way of your unsubstantiated opinions...

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Maybe that is the problem in the country. I get my news from Jon Stewart. I don't go to Kos or Drudge or any place that produces rumor and innuendo as news. I don't understand why anyone would support these people. Kos or Drudge. Our country suffers from the kind of thing these groups do. But you enjoy.

Yikes! Getting your news from Jon Stewart is sort of like getting your news from commentators on Fox News ... both are merely 'infotainment'. Kos is a blog with a very left slant.

Seriously, have you visited Drudge? Lots of people have it as there home page primarily because of links to news stories from a huge variety of media outlets. You can choose a breaking news story or just use it as a tool to go to a favorite news outlet or read the lastest from a favorite columnist.

Drudge is no where near the conservative wonk you envision him to be. The only 'content' from him posted on his site is the rare 'breaking news' splash that is sometimes the 'lead' story, but that's pretty rare.

Kos and Drudge are MILES apart.

Enjoy your funny news slant show ...

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I took him off my list several years ago. Nor do I get news from FOX (except local) or the clown acts like Jon Stewart.

How did you get that from what I said Michael1? I use my right to vote for many years and will continue to do so. If one served the country shouldn't one continue to do so with their vote?

I am voting for Obama, there I have come to grips with the decision. As I can't see any more of the last 7+ years or the many years sense Mr. Regan.
America need to change it way of how govt. does business. My hope it will under Obama. But know it won't under McCain.