Has there been a “change in mood and tactic[s] by online liberal activists”? That’s the theory of MSNBC blog watcher Will Femia. He ties together the ferocious response of liberal bloggers to the Washington Post ombudsman’s sloppy take on Jack Abramoff’s campaign contributions and their equally angry response to Chris Matthews’ comments on Hardball linking Osama bin Laden to Michael Moore, and argues that recent calls by Peter Daou, Markos Moulitsas, Molly Ivins and Josh Marshall for one form or another of left-wing backbone have something to do with this “change.”
It’s possible that we’re seeing a new kind of loose coordination happening. Certainly the “Open Letter” sites that liberal bloggers have created to showcase their critique of both the Post and Matthews (which, thanks to the great number of bloggers linking to them, have the not inconsequential effect of rising rapidly in Google search results, to the chagrin of MSNBC, reportedly, and probably the Post, too) are a new tactic. Indeed, Tim Russert earned himself an “Open Letter” site for asking Sen. Barack Obama an inflammatory question about Harry Belafonte.
Clearly some top progressive bloggers are talking to each other about strategy and tactics. But is that really new?
I suspect what Femia sees as a changed mood is a reflection of the current moment in the political cycle, when the two great organizers of American national political consciousness–the President and the old news media–happen to be pressing the buttons of liberals harder than usual. Think of all the issues that are swirling now: NSA wiretapping, Alito, Abramoff, Osama’s new threat, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, White House stonewalling on everything, even Katrina preparedness. That’s a pretty volatile brew, and it’s clear the contours of the 2006 election are being defined now. (Just ask Karl Rove, who has made it pretty clear his battle plan is to define the Dems as “soft” on everything, post 9-11.)
So, while Will may see a changed “mood,” I think it’s just a reflection of everyone understanding the stakes are high.