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Power Line

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This article is on a political subject, specifically a conservative blog in the United States.
See Electric power transmission for a wider-known use of this term.

Best known for its role in events leading to the departue of Dan Rather from the CBS anchor chair, Power Line is among the most widely read conservative blogs in the United States. It is written by three lawyers: John H. Hinderaker ("Hindrocket"), Scott W. Johnson ("The Big Trunk") and Paul Mirengoff ("Deacon"). The authors also write for newspapers and magazines, appear on radio and television, and are associated with the Claremont Institute. Influential among conservatives, Power Line plays a role in helping to set the agenda of the American right.

Political positions

Powerline generally supports President George W. Bush's administration and the war in Iraq (they once referred to Bush as a "genius" and "the Churchill of our times"), but has sometimes criticized the President for being insufficiently conservative on such issues as immigration and affirmative action. The blog advocates the appointment and confirmation of judicially conservative judges, and regularly features analysis of court decisions. Another Powerline hallmark is vigorous denunciation of Democrats and liberals for faulty judgment, moral lapses, and disloyalty to the United States.

The Powerline authors perceive systemic liberal media bias. They frequently question the integrity of the Associated Press, the BBC, Reuters, the Washington Post and the New York Times, among others. They charge that many reporters and editors are liberal partisans who act unprofessionally to benefit their political allies. Power Line has discussed the possibility of criminal prosecution of media outlets that publish national security information. They also post disagreements with the editorial opinions of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, home to two of the Powerline authors.


Forgery and controversy

Power Line gained widespread recognition for its 2004 reporting on the Killian documents controversy relating to a CBS report on George Bush's services in the Texas Air National Guard. Conservative blogs (including Power Line and Little Green Footballs) used the term Rathergate in referring to the contorversy. The blogs and their readers contributed research in assessing the authenticity of the documents, concluding they were forgeries. Power Line helped advance the story, triggering coverage by mainstream media outlets. Dan Rather apologized and resigned from the CBS anchor chair. Power Line became identified with the Pajamahadeen when criticized by a former CBS News executive.

Power Line theorized repeatedly that a GOP talking points memo in the Terri Schiavo case was a forgery written by Democrats as a "dirty trick." It contended that no Republican would write such a sloppy memo [1]. But the memo turned out to be a genuine document written by a Republican staff member. Power Line acknowledged the revelation, but continued to criticize the mainstream media for its reporting on the affair. It admitted no fault in its own coverage, saying it had merely discussed possibilities and had promptly reported all new information as it became available.

Power Line was criticized for describing former US President Jimmy Carter as being "on the other side" which was interpreted to mean 'sympathetic to terrorists'. Hinderaker later clarified his criticisms but went on to say Carter was "aligning himself with America's enemies" and had "never met an anti-American dictator he did not like." He called Carter "a disgrace", and later a "nut".

Other coverage

Coverage and commentary by Hinderaker, Johnson, and Mirengoff, all alumni of Dartmouth College, was instrumental in the 2005 election of "insurgent" candidates Peter Robinson and Todd Zywicki to the Board of Trustees.

The blog also covers some lighter material. Johnson regularly posts historical articles about musicians, Mirengoff reports on European soccer teams and Hinderaker covers beauty pageants. [2]. Power Line authors also host a weekly radio show as part of the Northern Alliance Radio Network in Minnesota.

Awards

See also

http://www.citypages.com/databank/26/1258/article12851.asp

http://www.amptoons.com/blog/archives/2005/07/19/power-line-on-the-minimum-wage/

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