Tuesday, January 11, 2005

Media Shakedown: Wonkette = Good Stuff

I’ve been keeping an eye on Wonkette of late and have been enjoying the view. Here are a few descriptions, as posted on the site:

"Swims in the libidinal current of American politics." – The Village Voice

"Gossipy, raunchy, potty-mouthed." – The New York Times

"Profanity-laced and sex-obsessed...[a] vain, young, trash-mouthed skank." – Michelle Malkin

For those of you are not familiar with Ms. Malkin, suffice it to say that she is in League with Ann Coulter, which equates to being in cahoots with a Dark Power that Shall Not Be Named.

So sounds pretty good so far, right?

Here’s a fun snippet from yesterday, in which Wonkette sizes up various appliances and machines and such that would be an equal match in a battle of the wits with White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan:

Wonkette occasionally answers questions. Send yours to: questions@wonkette.com . A reader asks: "Do you think that engaging Scott McClellan a battle of wits could be considered 'asymmetrical warfare?'"

The reader poses an interesting question. (That's what they told us to say at CSPAN even when the lady called to blame us for her missing toaster pastry.) It's hard to judge symmetry without knowing who is on the other side of the air hockey table from the precarious Mr. McClellan. If you are a lobster, certainly a battle of wits would be scored in your overwhelming advantage. An automatic coin sorter, probably. (Those things are so neat!) Folger's tin of millet? No... Well, if it's really finely ground millet, maybe on domestic policy issues you could best him.

We kid because we love. We were reminded why we like Scott again today when we learned that Ari Fleischer's book on his years behind the lectern is showing up in bookstores in March. The release seems to be very closely guarded. Only Lying Liar and Ha! Ha! Watch Me Lie! magazines have been granted access to the galleys. Everyone else in the media is being left in the cold until the actual publication date, much like they were routinely left holding the warm bag of poop during Ari's tenure. At the White House this was considered a wonderful thing by Mr. Fleischer's former employer. In the media world though, it reminds us that they didn't let reviewers see Gigli or Ishtar until they were in theaters, either.


The Left is in dire need of brash, intelligent, and most importantly, fun voices. Let’s cheer Wonkette on… because if you’re a Democrat these days, there’s not much else to do (sniff). And even if you're not a Dem... well, we can all use a laugh or three nowadays.

No comments: