Posted on 05/13/2006 9:41:55 AM PDT by Panerai
Political campaigners often lament the sometimes relentless and unfiltered criticisms posted by political bloggers during election season.
But Thursday a post on right-leaning political blog HubPolitics.com prompted Christy Mihos campaign staffers to lodge a complaint with the site’s Web host resulting in the bloggers being warned to tone down or be shut down.
“They made a claim that they were libeled by our Web site,” said Matt Margolis, who runs the site with his brother Aaron.
The post in question pointed out that a Web site used by Mihos’ campaign is registered to Mihos’ convenience store company, Christy’s of Cape Cod LLC, and questioned whether use of the Web site amounts to an in-kind contribution that should be reported to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance.
It also asked whether the candidate “was funneling hidden money” to his campaign.
The posts, which have since been amended to remove the offending language, are an example of how bloggers can go too far, campaign officials said.
“The facts demonstrate that no one should take statements on the Web at face value, particularly when its content is negative toward another,” said Mihos campaign manager Peter Pendergast.
But Margolis said they don’t intend to allow a candidate to chill their free speech.
“We are not by any means admitting any libel,” Margolis said of editing the post. “We are just playing it safe to keep the site online.”
If bloggers want to say things like that on their Blogs, they'd better be able to back it up. Otherwise they need to do what the MSM does, and use language that only insinuates questionable activity.
End of problem.
> use language that only insinuates questionable activity.
"...eyebrows were raised." LOL
A shame, this three-way race. If Mihos is ahead, I'll vote for him. Same with Kerry Healey. Just so FOB Deval Patrick doesn't get in.
Things seem to be unraveling in Mass.
Maybe those teenage water terrorists were successful.
First it's: "BrokeBack Mitt", now this.
The terrorist have poisoned the well water.
Drudge won't be able to keep up.
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