I Can't Understand You When Your Mouth Is Full...

Here's a secret to all aspiring GOP operatives out there...lean in close, I don't want too many to hear. Shhh, here goes - We love it when you attack us directly. We love it when you use our names. It lets us know we're getting to you. And here's another tip, you should never attack that way, because it's a sloppy hit.

Tonight Ohio's right-wing took a collective stab at BSB, and I couldn't be happier. I'm just going to address RAB because, well, they orchestrated it. Taking a cue from Dave Hickman's comments on a different blog , Matthew Naugle soliquized this evening:

I think Brian [he means Dave] makes some interesting points-

Oh? Matthew you agree with pro-drug reform, green party reject, radical Dave Hickman? Duly noted. Continuing...

I don't know how true they are, but I think it is fair to say that Russell did a much better job than Jerid and the gang. While Russell was a Tory-turned-Democrat partisan who would say great things about a cheese sandwhich if it had a D next to its name, BSB is has turned into just a random collection of anti-Bush and anti-Matt Naugle posts... with "Renee in Ohio" chiming in from time to time with some random anti-religion commentary. I may disagree with Russell's politics, but he was effective because he lacked a core philosophy- and thats what made him so good at promoting any local Democrat yahoo.

By the way- Isn't it odd that Jerid and company would care so much about New Hampshire, when Ohio is going to be a serious battleground state that will be won by again by a tiny margin? His informal writings from the road are better suited for a personal myspace or xanga blog

Matthews comments are timed rather well with other republican remarks against BSB throughout the Ohio 'sphere. It's almost as if they're - nooo - coordinated (gasp). Poppycock! "Jerid, why would Ohio's right wing attack BSB's validity and importance while we're breaking new ground and gaining traction in New Hampshire, interviewing Congressional Representatives like Tim Ryan, and enticing elected officials to post at the site?"

The question answers itself. Frankly I'm surprised at the GOP's carelessness to attack BSB directly - the jealousy shines through.

And while we're on the topic of relevance, quality, and honesty...let's take a moment and address a few other issues the Republicans raised.

#1: RAB is crap. Always has been, always will be. Naugle's relevance as a blogger is limited to his golf swing, and how many times he can hit "ctrl + V". No matter how loud the rabble over there get, or how many train wreck posts they crank out to game lame formula's for "relevance," it's hard to mask the unexceptional. One thing is clear, Ohio's online Republican movement is in desperate need of a leader whom does not have "Ken Blackwell" on his resume.

#2: If you don't understand the importance of the primaries to Ohio and presidential politics in general either: 1) make an attempt to learn (we'll help) or, 2) find something other than politics in which to focus your energies. Matt, if I were you I'd seriously consider option two.

#3: From Matt's peculiar interest in John Brunner's facebook account, to his current preoccupation with Xanga and Myspace, the whole obsession with social networking sites is kind of disturbing. Here's a tip - One of the easiest ways to make friends is to just be friendly yourself; give it a try sometime Naugle. Also, while I admire Matt's time playing "reporter" at OSU's The Lantern, I hardly think he's qualified to evaluate others' writing styles when his own could best be described as "angry twit with stick up the ass." I know that description is equally applicable to most republicans online so please forgive my lack of specificity.

On a side note, I don't like to talk about RAB or Naugle online. Mentioning that site, or its propreitor by name, fails to address the fact that the tactics used there are not unique, but rather characteristic of the Republican netroots movement in general. Furthermore, focusing on the crap they put out only breathes life into the stillborn.