Now this article is not going to be one of those a-typical Conservative “Rub in their faces” kind of entries. Because in this case, I can understand how these people feel. I’ll explain after the quote.
The Story comes via The Plum Line:
Some of the leading liberal bloggers are privately furious with the major progressive groups — and in some cases, the Democratic Party committees — for failing to spend money advertising on their sites, even as these groups constantly ask the bloggers for free assistance in driving their message.
It’s a development that’s creating tensions on the left and raises questions about the future role of the blogosphere at a time when a Dem is in the White House and liberalism could be headed for a period of sustained ascendancy.
A number of these top bloggers agreed to come on record with me after privately arguing to these groups that they deserved a share in the ad wealth and couldn’t be taken for granted any longer.
I can understand these peoples feelings. I have been blogging almost continually since February of 2006. You want to know how much money I have made on Blogging? A rough estimate off the top of my head; about $147.00, of $100.00 that I have been paid. Seriously. Why do you think that I have so many freaking ads on my Blog? To try and raise a little funds! It has helped a little, But I am not getting wealthy, that is for sure. In fact, I run BlogAds, you want to know how many I’ve gotten paid to run? All of two. I run the other two, because I happen to love those sites. They’re freebies, and the one is a half serious, half cruel joke. (The Anti-Al Sharpton Ad) I blog, simply because I love it. Seriously. I love to write, it’s a way of getting my feelings about things off my chest, and it keeps me out of trouble. Hell, Because of the wonderful fuck ups of Bush, along with the Wonderful fuck ups of the Democrats here in Michigan, I haven’t had a job since 2005 and the company I worked for, is gone. Went out of Business. It’s crazy, the economy here in Michigan, is THAT bad. This was BEFORE the said stock market bottom out thing.
Some of the big players quoted here:
“They come to us, expecting us to give them free publicity, and we do, but it’s not a two way street,” “They won’t do anything in return. They’re not advertising with us. They’re not offering fellowships. They’re not doing anything to help financially, and people are growing increasingly resentful.” — Jane Hamsher, the founder of FiredogLake
“Most want the easy way — having a big blogger promote their agenda,” “Then they turn around and spend $50K for a one-page ad in the New York Times or whatever.”- Markos Moulitsas, the founder of DailyKos
I know the feeling, I don’t know how many little “Plug” pieces that I’ve written, first as a “Left of Center” Blogger and also since switching sides; and then getting nothing in return. Now, I will admit, I have not always gotten the hits on my Blog. I have just recently started getting to some respectable hits on my site. But still, I can understand where these guys are coming from. Of course, some of my following, “Right Wingers” (Gah! I hate that term….) are of course gaffawing about this, but I’m not, I understand the feeling of working one’s rear end off and not getting anything in return. I know the feeling. Guess it’s because I am not on of those so-called “Out of touch wealthy Conservatives” that I keep hearing about. I wish I was man, I wouldn’t be in this living situtation, that’s for sure.
However there is one little quote, that did tweak me just a little:
“We don’t invest in the future, and Republicans do,” says John Aravosis, the founder of AMERICAblog. “The party committees really get that we can be effective as their partners and that we’re happy to help, and they take advantage of that. But even so, very little ad money comes from them. It’s more than just wanting to share in the spoils. We are small business-people who are fighting to survive economically in a really bad year.”
I just talked to John in an e-mail conversation today, so I am going to not go the baseball bat route here. But I will agree with AllahPundit here; We Conservatives in the same boat man. I don’t get any magical fund from some rich Conservative here, at all. I do not know the true business model of HotAir L.L.C. okay? For all I know they’re getting donations from The Heritage Foundation or The Project for the New American Century, or even Neil & John Podhartz for all I know. (…and considering thier political stance, it would not surprise me in the least….) But me? Nope! Only monies I get off this little rinky dink Blog, is from Advertising or if someone well off sap decides to have momentary lapse of reason and hits my tip jar. Which for the record, has yet to happen. (Hint, Hint!)
Others in the discussion from all sides: Right Wing Nut House, AMERICAblog News, Politics and Critical Thinking, Right Wing News, The Volokh Conspiracy, Ben Smith’s Blog, Sister Toldjah, The Gun Toting Liberal, JammieWearingFool, The Democratic Daily, Jules Crittenden, Don Surber, Kausfiles and Moe Lane
Update: John over at AmericaBlog does a follow up and links to me in the process. I might not agree with John on everything politically, but he was very kind to me in a email, so, I’m returning the favor. Welcome to all the liberal suckbag moronic commies AmericaBlog readers! 😉 😛 😀