Dennis Hastert’s Blog
posted by Daniel Solove
Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has started a new blog, Speaker’s Journal. He writes:
The internet is changing the way we share information. My office has been talking a lot about some of the conversations going on in blogosphere. So I thought, hey, I should start one and give you unfiltered updates on Capitol Hill.
I’m not sure how much of a conversation the blog aims to generate if it doesn’t allow for comments. I also wonder whether a politician can truly provide “unfiltered” information. His first blog entry reads more like a politician’s speech than a blog post. It will be interesting to see how the blog develops and whether, in a few years, every politician will have one.
October 28, 2005 at 12:06 am
Posted in: Blogging
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Responses (9)
Mike - October 28, 2005 at 2:05 am
My office has been talking a lot about some of the conversations going on in blogosphere.
That certainly ties in nicely with the recent discussion over whether blogs are influencing policies. Seems this is pretty strong evidence of a yes answer.
Danny Glover - October 30, 2005 at 4:47 pm
Here’s my take at Beltway Blogroll:
The substance of Hastert’s first post at the Speaker’s Journal isn’t exactly the stuff of front-page news. He bills it as a forum where people can gain “inside access to the Republican playbook,” but that appears to be a bit of false advertising, what with his superficial talk about hurricane recovery and oil refineries.
Hastert also doesn’t appear ready to fully seize the conversational spirit of the blogosphere. He doesn’t offer comments on his blog, and he starts his first post by describing the new online venue as “a new way for us to get our message out.” That kind of talk doesn’t exactly inspire much confidence that readers can expect the “unfiltered updates on Capitol Hill” that Hastert promises a few sentences later.
Hastert ends the post like this: “Well, there you have it folks. I’ve outlined some of our priorities: fiscal responsibility and energy. I’m going to keep updating this from time to time. It’s not that bad. Looks like this old guy can still learn a thing or two.”
Let’s hope so.
Danny Glover - October 30, 2005 at 5:04 pm
In response to Mike, I’d add that the mere launch of a blog is not even weak evidence that blogs are influencing policy. It’s just further proof that lawmakers don’t want to miss out on what to them appears to be the latest trend in online communication.
If Hastert broke some important news or offered some telling insight into policy, maybe you could cite the news as evidence that blogs are shaping policy. But that’s certainly not what he’s doing so far. Most lawmakers’ blogs to date offer little more than the self-promotional material they have always had on their Web sites. Until they start adding substance to the fluff, the blogs are just extra Web sites.
The fact that Hastert’s staff apparently is reading blogs and talking about them does show that bloggers have and are gaining influence in Washington. But I still hold to my thesis that they are at best the “figurative freshmen” of the capital city.
brother is - October 3, 2006 at 12:24 pm
RESIGN!
Michael Yonchenko - October 3, 2006 at 10:05 pm
Please resign. Avoid the embarrassment. There is going to be a new majority in the House. You know that they will be coming after you big time if you don’t come clean now and resign.
bill carey - October 3, 2006 at 10:12 pm
This congress has been an absolute joke for a long time. I am a lifelong republican and am just agast at the opportunity that the republican majority has blown over the last 4 years. This deal with Mark Foley isn;tthe reason that Dennis Hastert, and Bill Frist for that matter should resign, it is the complete and utter failure of their leadership on an entire range of issues, fiscal responsibility, immigration, on and on. There is absolutely no difference between a democrat and a republican. It is re-election at any cost. Principles be damned. Hastert, Frist both need to resign and hopefully the voters will take care of the remaining incumbents in November. It would truly be funny if it were not so important. Please go home and get away from the seat of power, for the good of the country.
Spencer .M - October 5, 2006 at 2:04 pm
I’m rooting for you to stick it out Mr. Hastert. Deny, investigate, repremand, observe .Tony Snow maintaned your reputation aswell as innocence solidly. Re-iterate how you would’ve gone on a neck breakin’, tacklin’ spree (subtly). Don’t give this up ,get back to blitzin’ Dems before Nov.(North Korea etc. issues)and remind them how once again D’s have (sneakily) side tracked the real ,REAL issues under the rug. Im in Ontario (C)here and im counting on you to stay put! for the greater conservative good.Remind people you were a coach and relate with that average 3x a week football coach across N.A. What advice have you been gettin from Frist, G.B sr. Dont walk the plank like N.G , although if you do Sr. i would watch Fox News regularly if you had a tag team Republican cable show with yourself and Newt Gingrich. But leave that until you retire under your own terms 2yrs down the line Sr.
bonnie mcgregor - October 5, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Stop blaming others for this ugly situation. I am embarrassed to have representatives who behave in this manner. This will back fire if you don’t take some responsiblity.
We are exhausted with the incompetance and the lack of truth and integrity.
Once again it’s difficult to call myself a Republican!
BMc
bonnie mcgregor - October 5, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Stop blaming others for this ugly situation. I am embarrassed to have representatives who behave in this manner. This will back fire if you don’t take some responsiblity.
We are exhausted with the incompetance and the lack of truth and integrity.
Once again it’s difficult to call myself a Republican!
BMc
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