Pioneer Behind Grass-Roots Conservative Web Site Gets Ready to Do Battle Again (Free Republic)

AP via St. Louis Today ^ | Tuesday, November 18, 2008 | John Ellis

[kristinn]

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

It was President Bill 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 RealClearPolitics.

[Reagan is King]

“University of California at Santa Cruz psychology professor Anthony Pratkanis sees similarities in Free Republic and Daily Kos, though they come from different ends of the political spectrum. “Both put out the spin that their supporters want to hear; both either exaggerate facts or just plain make them up,” he said.”

I can imagine how many "facts" this guy makes up on a daily basis as he indoctrinates his students.

BTW, congrats Jim!

[Tamar1973]

Redheads rule! (Not that I’m biased or anything....; ) )

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

[kinsman redeemer]

You are part of a "hugh" wave of members who signed up after 9-11.

[DelaWhere]

Way to go Jim! Congratulations!!!

[SunkenCiv]

Congratulations and viva JimRob!

The four ahead of FR are all showing up in “news” searchers on Google — y’know, because Google is run by a bunch of partisan shills.

[jwalsh07]

University of California at Santa Cruz psychology professor Anthony Pratkanis sees similarities in Free Republic and Daily Kos, though they come from different ends of the political spectrum. "Both put out the spin that their supporters want to hear; both either exaggerate facts or just plain make them up," he said.

I'd love the chance to debate Professor Pratkanis on any policy issue he chooses here at FR. Then we'll see who gets their facts correct and who gets them from the Goebellsian press.

Keep on keeping on Jim.

[PistolPaknMama]

Excellent! Thank you for all these years!

[Fawnn]

Many of its postings have a decidedly fringe feel.

I believe it's fair to say that I'm unfringed. ;)

[baseballmom]

Mostly nice article. They totally missed the Rathergate debacle. Coincidence? No, that would mean having to admit GWB did serve as he said.

Thanks, Jim. I’m here everyday. I don’t post much, but I do learn something every day. And, my sanity is still pretty much intact. ;-0

[tuckrdout]

I don’t believe that the trash site, “Huffington Post” gets more hits than Free Republic.

[NOBAMA in 08]

This proves William (The Flaming Idiot!) O’Reilly is worse than A.P. and thats saying quite abit!

[AFreeBird]

The Viking Kitties are going to be working overtime. :)

Growing kitties need red meat. :) The n00bs that survive their onslaught will have earned their place at the table.

[snippy_about_it]

Benjamin Franklin

[big'ol_freeper]

Hooah.

I did not come on board until 2000 (my wife lil’freeper was here first..which is funny because I converted her from a bit of liberalism when we met) and found my soul mates here.

I was an Army officer, not a Marine...but Semper Fi seems to be an appropriate phrase today.

[Candor7]

KUDOS Jim!

You deserve an oscar, and all they gave you was a T shirt?

Well, they haven't seen "nuttin'" yet!

Next time you get GOLD!

5th among national blogs, self funding wasn't mentioned? All the others do not fund raise.You deserve 1st place!

[dalereed]

“We are not a blog. If we were a blog, the articles would all come from Jim. We are a forum.”

Needs constant repeating for the newcomers here!!!!

[dalereed]

“Now get us the social network tools the Left has to organize conservatives on the Internet.”

What conservative would ever go to a social networking site?

I sure wouldn’t look at one let alone place my self on one!

[callisto]

[fatima]

Thanks for the ping LUV W,here’s a bump.