State Bloggers Protest Credentialling Decision

by Matt Stoller [courtesy of Open Left - Front Page]

Marc Ambinder picked up a letter from 21 progressive state bloggers frustrated with the selection process.  I wrote about this on Sunday and Monday, pointing to the credentialing of a state party friendly blog in Michigan over one that has higher levels of influence and accomplishment but had been critical of the state party.  It now appears that the blogger given credentials works for the Governor of the state, though I can't confirm that since she won't return my email (I have put the question to her in her comment thread).

The issue here is simple, and doesn't have to do with any specific bloggers given or not given credentials.  State parties are clearly using blog credentials to reward bloggers they think support them best.  In some cases, in most actually, they are willing to reward critics.  In some states, though, particularly New Jersey and New York, it's possible that the decision cut out progressive activists because they are willing to speak out about problems within the party.  Leaving progressive bloggers out of the convention is a financial and political penalty for these small businesses, many of which will now shy away from being independent and progressive out of fear of retribution.

This is a problem.

Update:  Ok, apparently it's common knowledge that Cathleen Carrigan is an employee of Governor Granholm.  That is absurd.  Simply absurd.  An employee of the most powerful politician in the state was given convention credentials over a larger progressive blog.  This is just ridiculous.  Granholm can get her employees credentials, she doesn't need to take them from independent progressive activists.