Navel-gazing: the old media cover the new media

The most remarkable thing about the convention so far from this blogger's perspective is the degree to which the bloggers are the story. Here we are, alternative (or "new") media covering the DNC, and a good chunk of the mainstream media are covering us covering the Convention.

One example is the Las Vegas Sun, whose front-page (at least on the intertubes) story today is about us pixel-stained wretches:

These are the online liberals who, a few years ago, were like the boxing trainer who slaps his fighter around a bit, imploring him to fight back.

“The Democratic Party used to be afraid of its own shadow,” said [Markos] Moulitsas [Zuniga], whose Daily Kos blog receives 1.5 million unique visitors a month, with daily traffic matching the circulation of the Chicago Tribune.

This crowd is ensconced near the Democratic National Convention and brings a certain swagger to the week, a knowing confidence that the online world helped change the party and deliver victory in 2006. The big prize is now so close its members can taste it like the free smoothies and high-end hippie food being passed around in what’s called “The Big Tent,” a sly homage to a famous Ronald Reaganism.

[...]

John Podesta, once President Clinton’s hard-charging chief of staff, said he marveled at how much the online liberals had changed politics.

“Nothing gets by them,” he said, referring to their rapid response to news events and their attacks on Republicans. Back in his White House days, he noted, there were three TV networks and a few big newspapers to worry about.

(This is often cited as one of several reasons New York Sen. Hillary Clinton didn’t win the nomination: not understanding this new media environment.)

As for the [previously mentioned] swagger, Podesta said, “I don’t know if I’d say ‘swagger,’ but there’s a strong movement for change, and a ticket to get it done.”

"High-end hippie food?" Lunch was Chipotle burritos. Oddly, I never saw -- or smelled -- any hemp or patchouli -- not once. But then, I'm notoriously obtuse ...

Then there was the accompanying picture:

The Sun's caption: "Bloggers [Sinfonian], far right, and [Athenae] confer Monday inside the Big Tent during the Democratic National Convention in Denver."

Pro: It was an excellent editing/cropping choice to use half of me and all of Athenae. Also cool: including the increasingly popular (and someday ubiquitous) DFH sticker in the pic.
Con: Putting the words "far right" next to my name.

Well, guess it's time to get my swagger on again ...

(cross-posted at FPC Blog)