Because most searches are looking for items less than a month old, we're going to narrow that window in a similar way. In the past, because the data window was so long, Authority and the Top 100 lists it powered were relatively static. With the new algorithm, the resulting Authority will better reflect the fast-changing nature of the blogosphere. Its new inherent volatility will also show which blogs are rising and falling in authority, rewarding authors on posting frequency, context and linking behavior, as well as other data inputs.
And as a result, TechPresident, a very respected blog whose writers work on meta-blogosphere issues out there, have released their new rankings... and OpenLeft falls at #35!
34. CQ Politics
35. Open Left 36. Hullabaloo (28)
I want to really emphasize a few things about this:
First, and most importantly, we would be nowhere without you, our readers. And nowhere without the lively comment discussions we have here. And as Chris said at our Netroots Nation caucus, nowhere without our lurkers! So let's hear it for our lurkers! Woo!
There are hundreds if not thousands of political blogs out there- progressive, conservative, libertarian, whatever.
A lot of the blogs on the full list are institutionally-backed blogs, not independently-run and funded like ours. I see The Caucus from the NYTimes, ABC News' Political Radar, ThinkProgress, Washington Wire from the Wall Street Journal. Many of their writers are paid on salary to do this full-time, with a steady income, funded by corporate ad revenue, foundation grants, etc. Here at OpenLeft, with the exception of Chris Bowers, and Matt Stoller when he was here, every single one of our front-page writers juggles OpenLeft with other jobs/responsibilities. And Matt/Chris were/are responsible for writing the bulk of content, day and night. I think it's a testament to independently-run blogs that we've done so well.
In addition to that, running a blog is harder than it looks, particularly when you do action projects like we do. The writers on other blogs I mentioned have full-time staff to help with e-mail blast graphics and tech support when the site goes down and their writers don't have to worry about fundraising. We don't have any of that. Again, a testament to how possible it is to write independently and do well.
A little on our funding. Since I've only started writing full-time as of a month or two ago, a little background on me. Since we launched in July 2007, I've managed advertising and special joint revenue projects like the MoveOn/Rethink Afghanistan DVDs, SEIU, and so forth. Advertising revenue is way, way down, which we rely principally on. A lot of progressive institutional partners like Brave New Films, CREDO Action, SEIU and Friends of the Earth have been there for us, and I want to thank them. A lot of advertisers, too, like Rep. Alan Grayson, who is currently advertising in a Blogad spot, along with our other past advertisers. And you've been there for us, like during our fundraiser earlier this year that blew away our expectations. This is a big reason how we've kept the lights on.
Who knew we internet left fringers in pajamas could be so influential?!
So we're proud of OpenLeft and I hope you are too. If you like what you read here, please consider chipping in to support our independent writing via the button below, or buy an independent DVD at the top of this page, or sign up to help SEIU's health care campaign, also at the top. From all of us at OpenLeft, thanks for helping make us a top-50 political blog.
Time for a bit of a rant. I listened in on the Edwards campaign's press call this morning where they launched a new website called AmericaBelongstoUs2008.com, asking voters to sign a pledge "not to vote or caucus for a Democratic presidential candidate that accepts campaign contributions from Washington lobbyists and special interest PACs."
Edwards' top advisers Joe Trippi and Jonathan Prince were on the call, making much of how our broken political system is dominated by lobbyists and special interests, and trying to distinguish their candidate from the other Dems for not taking contributions from DC lobbyists.
But here's what offended me--and I'm sorry if this is going to sound like an attack on the Edwards campaign, because it's not. It's just that with Edwards making the biggest and boldest claims to be a change agent, my expectations are higher.
When my colleague Josh Levy, who was also on the call, asked the Edwards folks how they were going to use the list of pledge signers (they're aiming to get 1 million names by Feb. 5th), Trippi and Prince basically punted, mumbling something about going after lobbyists.
Look guys, don't treat us like we're dummies. Clearly this is a list-building exercise (and a way to earn some media coverage). After someone signs the America Belongs to Us pledge, they're taken to a sign-up and donation page for the Edwards campaign. And that's it.
Now, there's nothing wrong with political campaigns trying to build up their email lists. Nor is there anything wrong with doing it by riding the news and connecting their campaign priorities to voters' concerns.
But what bothers me is the hollowness of the exercise.
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