Fresnan pioneers Web grass-roots conservatism "[FR] is the granddaddy of all these political sites"

The Fresno Bee ^ | 11/10/2008 | By John Ellis

[Jim Robinson]

A Democrat is poised to take the reins of power in Washington, D.C., and Fresno resident Jim Robinson is feeling a sense of déjà vu.

It was President Clinton's 1992 election that sparked Robinson's political activism, driving him to create a Web site that made him a grass-roots leader among conservatives before Clinton's term was over.

This year, as Barack Obama prepares to sweep into office on another tide of Democratic votes, Robinson and denizens of that Web site, freerepublic.com, are preparing to do battle again. "We'll double and redouble our efforts to fight for what is right," Robinson says. "We've got people just spitting nails."

Free Republic, founded by Robinson in September 1996, doesn't attract much attention from the national press and is not well-known among political experts. Many of its postings have a decidedly fringe feel.

But long before Red State, Daily Kos and Little Green Footballs arrived on the Internet political scene, Free Republic was building an audience -- and becoming a formidable political force among conservatives and libertarians that is admired even by some who disagree with its political philosophy.

In a study last month by the Internet ratings firm comScore, Free Republic ranked fifth among political blogs, just behind heavyweights The Huffington Post, Politico, Drudge Report and Real Clear Politics.

The Huffington Post had more than 4.5 million "unique visitors" -- those who visit a Web site more than once during a specified period -- during the election season, according to comScore. Politico, Drudge Report and Real Clear Politics all had more than 1.1 million unique visitors. Free Republic was fifth with 987,000 unique visitors, according to comScore.

Robinson said Free Republic has more than 300,000 registered users, though not all are active on the site, and its normal 1 million daily page views grew...

[Jim Robinson]

ping

[Uncle Miltie]

Nail spitter, reporting for duty, Sir!

[zipper]

Glad to hear this.

We have our work cut out for us.

[Bush_Democrat]

Congrats Jim. Now you’ll be (even more) famous!!

[farmer18th]

“Decidedly Fringe Feel..?”

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

I’m only a nail biter, does that count?

[abigkahuna]

Who is Cal Evans, and why does he think this is a Muslim bashing site?

See the comments at the end of the article.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

He's FresnoFamous!

Well maybe not...

[Names Ash Housewares]

“Decidedly Fringe Feel..?”

Anything right of the MSMs take on things is “fringe”.

So most of America.

[Jim Robinson]

“Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” —Barry Goldwater

[happinesswithoutpeace]

lol how did they miss Rathergate?

[farmer18th]

“We are apt to listen to the sound of that siren, HOPE, until she transforms us into beasts..” — Patrick Henry

[Bush_Democrat]

What, no mention of RatherGate?? I posted a comment on the Fresno Bee’s site, but it hasn’t appeared yet, just one displayed bashing FR, from a ‘former’ member...

[freekitty]

Just WOW, Jim. Good for you and good for us.

[freekitty]

Looks like we have been invited to the fight to save America, Jim.

[SoldiersSister]

Congratulations Jim! This website is a wonderful resourcethat keeps me sane.

Of course the liberals will call us a “fringe group”. Anything not liberal is a crazy fringe!

I’m so angry I could “spit nails” so you have another one reporting for duty sir!

[Terpfen]

In a study last month by the Internet ratings firm comScore, Free Republic ranked fifth among political blogs, just behind heavyweights The Huffington Post, Politico, Drudge Report and Real Clear Politics.

Free Republic is not a blog. When will the media learn? Furthermore, Politico, Drudge, and RCP are not blogs either.

[farmer18th]

Anything right of the MSMs take on things is “fringe”.

I don't get local network television, and that means two things--I don't have cable and I don't understand it. The other night I watched some local CBS affiliate, at a relative's, and I thought I was seeing "fringe" defined.

[dalereed]

Considering the Bee’a leanings, they wrote a fairly good article.

[VigilantAmerican]

PING

[LeoWindhorse]

Hawaii GoE
Permission to come aboard , sir !

[Eye of Unk]

The news networks are searching Jim,I think its high time to realize that yes there are some of us that tend to get over enthusiastic about Muslims and I profess to be one, so as I see it there is a new course laid out for us and we need to be aware of the following sea.

Take care Jim and thanks, we back you up completely.

[tallyhoe]

Many of its postings have a decidedly fringe feel. I beg your pardon we are the conservative movement!

[tallyhoe]

We believe in Smaller government, Free Speech, Right to bear arms with out carry permits, Religion, the rights of the unborn!

[Slings and Arrows]

JimRob, keep on spitting those nails!

LucyT, article mentions some “debunked” 0bama background.

[sneakers]

Proud to be a ‘nail-spitter’.

And, for heaven’s sake - fringe?

Since when did normal, patriotic Americans become ‘fringe’?

The writer, obviously, hasn’t spent much time on Free Republic.

Thanks again, Jim, for founding Free Republic.

[backtothestreets]

This should be read by all people that believe one person cannot make a difference. Jim, you’ve made a difference.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

“Decidedly Fringe Feel..?”

Yea thats what i was thinking ! This forum was and is a Godsend it has been since i joined it ...

I cut my teeth on HTML on this site and heve enjoyed FReeperdom ever after ...

Jim used to be on a program called Firetalk we had some great discussions on that forum just wish he had time for more ...

[giotto]

This comment by an alleged Freeper needs to be rebutted:

I've been a Free Republic member since 1999. I admire JRob and what he's done. But Free Republic today is very different from when I joined. Back then, it was about ideas about government reform; about rebellion from the dominant left-wing Presidency and press. Now its devolved into an often demented hate-fest against primarily Muslims. I cannot believe half the conspiracies I hear; rumors that even moderate Arab states (some of which base US troops) are trying to form a caliphate to take on the West. It is not uncommmon at all to hear the sentiment there that the only good Muslim is a dead Muslim. Now I'm not Muslim, but to hear this invective day in and day out is just sickening. Sadly, JRob has turned his forum over to the wrong crowd -- FreeRepublic hardly will serve as any meaningful community against Obama.
Cal Evans | Homepage | 11.11.08 - 12:15 am | #

The public will take that comment, along with the following claim from the article,

And Free Republic played a key role in driving an anonymous chain e-mail that falsely claimed Obama had concealed ties to radical Islam, according to Danielle Allen, a professor of social science at the Princeton, N.J.-based Institute for Advanced Study who studied the rumor.

and the opinion they will form of Free Republic is that it's an anti-Muslim hate site.

[tet68]

denizens of that Web site

I sir, am not a denizen, but a netizen!
I am Joe the plumber.
I am JimRob.
I am every free man
and woe to those who would enslave me.

[Slings and Arrows]

I’m not a denizen - I’m a minion!

[tet68]

Is that like a maxion only smaller?
Maybe we are cohorts?

[BykrBayb]

I’ve sewn fringe onto all my clothing. It’s my subtle little way of letting everyone know I’m a FReeper.

[livius]

LOL! Anyway, the tin-foil hat is so yesterday...

Seriously, the 46 million Americans who did not vote for The One would probably share many if not most of the views here. That’s a pretty big fringe...

[LouisianaJoanof Arc]

We ARE the dissent, baby!

So lovin' that tagline!

[LouisianaJoanof Arc]

Thank you for starting Free Republic. It has made a huge, positive difference in my life. Nice pic in the article too!

[backhoe]

Jim, you might consider what our sister site did- move to Panama:

The State of the Website is 'Free' - 2008 [ 1, 2 ]

[itsahoot]

Since when did normal, patriotic Americans become ‘fringe’?

A long time ago, but officially only since Nov. 4th. 08.

[humblegunner]

Robinson and denizens of that Web site, freerepublic.com

Awesome!

I always wanted to be a denizen.

[LibLieSlayer]

I am a Patriot so FR is my home. I guess this salient fact escapes "the" liberal mind. I'm with you Jim and I am locked and loaded!

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

Is it not muslims that attacked the Twin Towers in 1993? Did not muslims come back on 9/11/01 and finish the job as they promised to do? Was it not muslims that blew up the USS Cole and our Kenyan embassies? Is it not muslims that we fight in Afghanistan and Iraq? Is iran not a muslim nation? Who is it that cries out for the destruction of Israel and GOD’s very own people?

Now I do not say ALL muslims are our enemy... for that is clearly not the case... but it is muslims that plot 24/7 365 on ways to kill all of us and we were warned just yesterday by al qaeda that we will get hit again and this time it will make 9/11 look like a cake walk. So tell me... are we incorrect on FR when we point out the truth that even a blind man can see? Do we need to wait until one of our cities lies under a mushroom cloud for truth to come back into vogue?

LLS

[LucyT]

Thanks, Slings and Arrows. Yeah, Mr. Robinson! Good article; good photo.

Ping. [Check out the second page.]

After reading BykrBayb's comment, I'm going to sew fringe onto all my clothing, too. Wonder if it's made in Red, White and Blue.

[villagerjoel]

Us wackos who think that the government isn´t the solution to everything.

[BykrBayb]

Oh yeah, I want red, white and blue fringe on my pajamas.

[wolfcreek]

He's an Obama operative. (and an asswipe)

[tiredoflaundry]

In a study last month by the Internet ratings firm comScore, Free Republic ranked fifth among political blogs, just behind heavyweights The Huffington Post, Politico, Drudge Report and Real Clear Politics. .

WTG Mr.Jim!

[StarCMC]

w00t!! It is good to be a FReeper! Thanks Jim!!

[CatoRenasci]

wish we could stay under the left’s radar, keep your powder dry, and your servers well-protected....

[buschbaby]

I guess if believing in the Constitution and individual freedom makes me "fringe" I'll wear that label with pride! Congrats to Jim and all FReepers who make this the place for conservative ideals on the web!