The White House's problem with liberal bloggers
The angry reaction to a report that the Obama administration sees critics as part of the 'Internet left fringe'
"The Obama administration really needs to get over itself," said John Nichols in The Nation. First the White House goes after conservative Fox News, and now an anonymous administration aide "attacks bloggers for failing to maintain a sufficiently pro-Obama slant," telling critical liberal bloggers to "take off their pajamas," get dressed, and get serious about politics. All presidents get critical coverage—if Obama wants more compliments he'll have to earn them, not bully bloggers into line.
It's unfair to fault Obama, said Greg Sargent in The Plum Line, based on "paraphrased secondhand claims from a single anonymous advisor" in a report by CNBC's John Harwood (Watch). The White House is strongly denying that it views "gay and blogospheric" impatience with Obama's "foot-dragging on gay-rights issues as part of the 'Internet left fringe.'" The White House has always treated the blogosphere as important—so maybe angry liberal bloggers should take a deep breath and relax.
The "Internet left fringe" remarks are a "nonstory," said Nate Silver in Fivethirtyeight.com, but so are Obama's promises to his liberal supporters. Repeating them now, as Obama did with his vow on Saturday to make gay-rights progress, may do the White House "more harm than good" unless the president can start backing up his words with actions.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The friction between President Obama and the "reality-based community" is real, said Dan Riehl in Riehl World View, and it was inevitable. The media built up the liberal blogosphere, and so did Obama, but we've been telling those crackpots "they represent the fringe Left for years." Obama "played them," and now they're on to him—the infighting is just beginning.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What It Feels Like for a Girl: a 'fearless and compelling' coming-of-age drama
The Week Recommends Ellis Howard dazzles in this 'sharply written' adaptation of Paris Lees' memoir
-
Sports betting is causing athletes to be abused and harassed online
Under the radar Baseball players, tennis stars and others have raised the alarm
-
Crossword: June 4, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
-
'Seriously, not literally': how should the world take Donald Trump?
Today's big question White House rhetoric and reality look likely to become increasingly blurred
-
Will Trump's 'madman' strategy pay off?
Today's Big Question Incoming US president likes to seem unpredictable but, this time round, world leaders could be wise to his playbook
-
Democrats vs. Republicans: who are the billionaires backing?
The Explainer Younger tech titans join 'boys' club throwing money and support' behind President Trump, while older plutocrats quietly rebuke new administration
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy