A few of the commenters in the Sipprelle: Running out the clock thread got me thinking. They suggested that it was no big deal that Sipprelle refuses to meet with MMM or Save Jersey. That these blogs, and by inference our readers, have too high an opinion of ourselves and our influence.
Perhaps they have a point.
The truth is Sipprelle's action took me by surprise. In four years of blogging, he is the first Republican office holder or candidate to refuse to speak with me. Calls to Democrats go unreturned so frequently that I rarely make them anymore, but Republicans, from the Governor's office to town council members are very accessible.
From my perspective there are two things that make a blog influential; access to information and people to read it.
When I started writing here four years ago I was amazed that the people I wrote critically of were the blogs biggest boosters. Public and party officials complained about this blog and others to the main stream press, which wrote about it and started reading the blogs themselves, which put the blogs on the map. Party chairmen who called the blogs "terrorists" and "retarded" and editors who called us "bacon heads" expanded our audiences tremendously. Ignoring us would have been a better strategy for them.
Fast forward 4 years and my inbox is full with more press releases than I can get to. Thousands of people per week show up, even on days when there is nothing new. Is ignoring the blogs and our readers still the right strategy?
Let's find out.
Going forward Scott Sipprelle's press releases and position papers will not be posted here. Matt Rooney tells me he is with me, but he is free to change his mind. Two things will change this policy: access and money. Sipprelle can either be accessible or he can buy advertising.
Of course, it is entirely possible that this new policy will backfire, proving Sipprelle to be a PR and political genius. If that happens I will either shrug it off or start sucking up to him.
Other candidates and office holders, at any level and from any party are still free to send me their info.
To those commenters who are hungry for Sipprelle's info---try the Asbury Park Press or some other "real media outlet."
The Legacy of Thomas Lifson
22 hours ago
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26 comments:
Art said
"If that happens I will either shrug it off or start sucking up to him."
That is what I love about you.
Your unabashed honesty.
I like Sipperelle and I am leaning towards voting for him. That being said I think he has made a mistake in not speaking to you.
His people need to reach out to his supporters in Monmouth County and improve their read on local politics. If they did that they would find out that you would give them a fair shake.
FYI ignoring Art does not=ignoring the people who post/blog here. Sipp can talk to the people without paying tribute to reporters and web master who feel they are somehow deserving of special deference. It is comical to watch people get bent that someone dared not kiss their ring. I for one do not "by inference" feel blowing of Art=any disrespect to me as a reader.
Art, I think you are proving that you are not a very good businessman. Your Sipprelle coverage was your most widely read and debated on the blog. I probably won't be back to visit often going forward. Have fun interviewing Mike Halfacre (but wait, don't the two of you talk on the phone everyday already?)
Have fun interviewing Mike Halfacre (but wait, don't the two of you talk on the phone everyday already?)
No we don't. He does answer when I call though.
Art, don't do it. You are letting your emotions get the best of you. Where's 'the newsman' in you? C'mon, do Russert proud!
If you don't play both sides, you're just a tool for Halfacre....and I think you will regret it. Don't get sucked in. Shake it off; Sipprelle will come 'round.
Ya gotta remember.... Sipprelle has not said one bad thing about his opponent, and the Dems read your blog fer sure. Why give the Dems ammo for post-primary? I think Sipp is playing it smart and hindsight in November will show it.
Don't jump the gun, if not the shark.
This is too bad. I enjoyed reading the give and take on Sipprelle vs. Halfacre. If your coverage is now going to be totally one-sided, what's the point of anyone reading your blog? Sipprelle is his own man, and he isn't going to be dicated to by people in the media. I'm sure he would be willing to speak with you when the time is right, but he's only been in the race for a month for crying out loud. Art, cool off.
what's the point of anyone reading your blog?
Don't worry, I'll recapture your interest.
As soon as I finish reading Blue Blood and Mutiny: The Fight for the Soul of MorganStanley by Patricia Beard and The Golden Dog by Scott Sipprelle, I'll have few pieces that you'll be sure to read.
Wow Art! This is really a story about you and Rooney.
I have been following the CD-12 race with interest on your blog and have encouraged my friends to check it out to educate themselves on the race.
Now Sipprelle's cool has gotten you and Rooney so emotional that you unveil your true pro-Halfacre colors. As you say, Halfacre returns your phone calls on demand and is your friend, and, since his campaign has no cash, he is very beholden to you for the free plugs and publicity.
But, with your gloss of objectivity gone, you diminish your ability to help Halfacre because everyone now knows you and Rooney are just part of Halfacre's campaign.
And to top it off, you are voluntarily eliminating content from your site that was drawing half your readers. So Sipprelle has exposed you and Rooney and got you to hurt your business at the same time. THIS IS A MASTERSTROKE FOR THE SIPPRELLE CAMPAIGN.
Frankly, I was leaning towards Sipprelle. But, if this is how the guy can operate, he is going to be a rock star in Congress for CD-12 and the Republican Party.
A. Giffen
"As soon as I finish reading Blue Blood and Mutiny: The Fight for the Soul of MorganStanley by Patricia Beard and The Golden Dog by Scott Sipprelle, I'll have few pieces that you'll be sure to read."
Now that sounds interesting!
READ FASTER
READ FASTER
The books were just delivered this morning. It looks like we might be snowed in the next couple of days. I'll be reading in between plowing session.
If you really don't have a program that you think can withstand public scrutiny, you're going to want to make sure everything is highly orchestrated and controlled, like Obama's campaign. Obviously, Scott thinks he can go through the campaign, using his money, not his ideas. This forum wouldn't be the ideal location for that strategy. Hence, his avoidance of you. That tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about Scott Sipprelle.
Trevanian says,"If you really don't have a program that you think can withstand public scrutiny...." but obviously hasn't read any of Sipprelle's extremely detailed position papers on his website.
You may not like the details in those position papers but Sipprelle has certainly given us a lot to chew on. Quite the opposite of what you say in your post.
There is plenty there to take a shot at so go ahead, but be specific so you give all of us a chance to think about what you say.
By contrast, I don't see anything but soundbites on policy from Halfacre.
All of this is premature and ridiculous. Only a self-serving desperate RINO would agree to an internal party debate of any sort at this stage in the election process. All info would be available to the general public if on these blogs. Any negative info accummulated in said debate would be a gift to the Democrats who are salivating for this type of thing. They'll then have Holt use that info against the candidate with the massive amounts of money that they are going to invest in these Congressional races from June through November. If you push for a debate now, you are serving the Obama agenda...like it or not.
Why don't you take all this pent-up energy and frustration and direct it at the Executive Board of the Monmouth County GOP? Put pressure on them to have a closed convention of the entire membership ASAP. That's the way to go ... unless you want to play right into the hands of Reid, Pelosi and Obama.
Why don't you take all this pent-up energy and frustration...
I find it amusing that people think I am angry, frustrated or have let my emotions get the best of me.
I'm just not going to post Sipprelle's press releases, position papers or a link to his site unless he meets with me or pays me.
I'll still cover the race. I'm just not going to give him free adverstising.
big ego art, i remember when you got your panties in a twist because mary pat didn't call you to tell you she was running and she told politicker instead.
i hope you realize how much everybody makes fun of you being your back mr 6 county committee seats in highlands.
Apparently the Mercer GOP thinks highly of you, within an hour of you posting you won't cover sipprelle unless he pays you in money or homage, their Chairman and party endorsed him. LOL
your such a loser. go get an ego check.
Really, Art? Sipprelle was endorsed a few days ago by Mercer County GOP Chairman Roy Wesley. That's news about the race, not advertising. Maybe I missed it, but I could not find any mention of this endorsement on your blog in any way, shape or form. (The endorsement was mentioned on Save Jersey, although in a rather insulting manner.) Seems to me that your "ban" on anything relating to Sipprelle extends a bit further than you have indicated. . . .
big ego art, i remember when you got your panties in a twist because mary pat didn't call you to tell you she was running and she told politicker instead.
that was a joke that Mary Pat and I laughed about.
and Matt Friedman from Politickernj sent me a message to the effect that it was his fault. We laughed about that too.
hope you realize how much everybody makes fun of you being your back mr 6 county committee seats in highlands.
Really?! People make fun of me? I'd rather they make fun of me because Highlands has only 8
county committees seats than because I'm fat, balding or because there are tipos on the blog.
Apparently the Mercer GOP thinks highly of you, within an hour of you posting you won't cover sipprelle unless he pays you in money or homage, their Chairman and party endorsed him. LOL
See how much influence I have!!
In fairness to the Mercer Chairman, the endorsement was announced the next day.
You'll be back.
Art,
I don't care what anybody says you are really quite a handsome fellow.
A.G.
Really, Art? Sipprelle was endorsed a few days ago by Mercer County GOP Chairman Roy Wesley....
It was yesterday. I haven't gotten around to it yet.
If you would like a refund of your subscription, call customer service at 800-GoodForYou
Geez, I haven't taken this much crap since the good old Rastaman days.
Art,
I don't care what anybody says you are really quite a handsome fellow.
A.G.
Thanks Mom
<>
It didn't sound like a joke when it was written, why don't you take a look at how you wrote it? And I'm pretty sure Marypat's people didn't think it was a joke.
When you stop playing favorites in GOP primaries based on your ego, people will stop giving you a hard time. If your going to play favorites based on the issues, thats understandable but not because a candidate won't meet with you or pay you money.
Very sad. Didn't know the used truck business was that bad LOL.
When you stop playing favorites in GOP primaries based on your ego, people will stop giving you a hard time.
No, when people stop reading this blog, then I'll stop getting a hard time.
How sad for Mr. Sipprelle that the only endorsement this nobody with money from Princeton can claim is the county chairman of his own county after he promised to finance the county elections. Even BUYING endorsements, he can only get his own county. What is really funny is every time Sipprelle's puppet posts here (pretending to be five, six or seven different people) it's always a statement that thinking people would laugh at. Is this guy really the best Sipprelle's money can buy? Even Corzine bought better people.
" . . . this nobody with money from Princeton."
I see. Now Scott Sipprelle is a "nobody." Hmmm. Very persuasive presentation. I was leaning towards Sipprelle but now I guess I have to vote for Halfacre.
you guys are a bunch of asses and if you are Sipperelle supporters your dissing Art is not helping your candidate.
Art is always up front where he stands and he is entitled to his opinion (even when its wrong)
Like he always says. if you don't like ir don't read.
" ... you guys are a bunch of asses and if you are Sipperelle supporters your dissing Art is not helping your candidate."
We aren't dissing Art. Telling Art when we think he is wrong is not dissing him. I like Art and think he has handled the criticism with good humor. However, I just think he is off- base on the way he's handled Scott Sipprelle situation. As to you Halfacre supporters, your bush league tactics (name-calling, etc.) don't reflect well on you or your candidate.
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