RNC: The OttO Show Goes From Rational To National
OttO on Aug 11 2008 at 2:14 pm | Filed under: Jihad Watch, Politics, RNC National Convention, Uncategorized
I’m am taking this opportunity to confirm the rumors that have been flying around Obama campaign headquarters: yes, yours truly will be blogging from the Republican National Convention. Thanks to the interest of folks at Newsvine and MSNBC, I will be attending the ultimate grand old party in a new capacity: as a citizen journalist. The difference between a citizen journalist and the standard journalist is that I actually get to confess my bias. I’ll make it clear now: I will not provide objectivity and balance.
I will do what it is that keeps me young: I will explore the stories within the stories, the psychology behind political ideals and define what the candidates and politicians are really saying. I will present the convention and the election through the eyes of rational smaller-government conservatism and from the perspective of a devoted John McCain supporter.
If I had my choice I would prefer to attend the Democrats convention in Denver because I find Democrats to be the more interesting specimen of politician and much of leftist politics to be fascinating in a ‘you mean to tell me John Edwards isn’t faithful to his wife?!’ kind of way. Seriously, anyone think that since the ticking-time-bomb-Edwards started making the MSM’s list as a top consideration for Obama’s VP that the Obama campaign itself fueled the Enquirer’s interest in Edwards extramarital…sorry, sorry.
Back to me. I want to thank Calvin Tang, the Chief Operating Officer of Newsvine for offering me this chance and for Newsvine and MSNBC for making it happen. To a political junkie, this is the equivalent of having ESPN send a football addict to blog from the Super Bowl or E! Entertainment sending a movie buff to blog from the Oscars. I recall watching the 2004 conventions from my living room, amazed that I could literally feel the energy from the TV. I remember during various speeches, particularly the barnstormer by Democrat Zell Miller at the RNC, wishing I was there.
Four years later and I am in! Bloggers are no longer relegated to reacting to stories but are increasingly being given the opportunity to make the stories themselves. Thanks to the blog, the average citizen now has the potential to affect the dialog in this country in ways that was just a short time ago limited to the mainstream media and talk radio.
I look forward to meeting fellow Viners Rob Ballew, Adam Hobson and Stacy Malboun, the latter two who will also be attending Ron Paul’s counter rally in Minneapolis. Stacy, suffering from some affliction I’m sure (I kid!), will be covering the anti-war, anti-Bush, anti-capitalist, anti-Republican protests happening all over Saint Paul that week. Perhaps she’ll ask a question for me to the anti-Iraq war protesters: what exactly are you protesting now? Victory?
Please check here in the coming weeks for convention insight. Check the side bars to the right for links to Newsvine’s convention coverage and my contributions, as well as feeds to the McCain and Obama campaign websites and general election and convention coverage.
Congratulations, Otto! I look forward to reading your reports.
I look forward to reading your articles, Otto.
Otto, I think Calvin’s counting on you to manage the MSNBC expense account money so him, Adam and Rob don’t go hog wild.
Look forward to your reports.
Bill H
Congratulations Otto! I know you will give the RNC some of the best coverage ever! All on Calvin’s nickel? Well don’t forget a detailed segment on the food venues, especially important to contrast the healthier food planned at the DNC
You’ll have a ball, Otto.
Same goes for all of us when we get to reading your reports from the convention.