Politicker Network
Type of site
Political news
Available inEnglish
OwnerThe New York Observer
RegistrationNo

The Politicker Network, or Politicker.com, was a national network of fifty state-based political websites operated by the New York Observer.[1]

Origins

The network had its origins in journalist Ben Smith's New York Observer blog, "The Politicker," which focused on New York state politics.[2] Launched in 2005, the original blog became "the most widely read" blog among political circles.[3][4] It was called the "Best Local Politics Blog" by The Village Voice, who noted the lively comment section.[5] In 2005, failed candidate for the Democratic nomination for Mayor of New York City, Christopher X. Brodeur, was arrested for leaving death threats on Smith's New York Observer voice mail, in retaliation for unflattering coverage in the Politicker blog.[6]

Growth and decline

James Pindell, formerly of The Boston Globe, was hired as National Managing Editor in January 2008.[7]

In December 2008, the network was reduced from 17 to 6 sites, with a focus on the northeast region.[8] By January 2009, the New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania websites were closed, leaving the network with sites remaining in New York and New Jersey.[9] Those closings effectively ended the national aspirations of the "Politicker" brand.[10]

State bureaus

The Pennsylvania bureau, called PolitickerPA.com, was cited as a source by the other news media, including the Philadelphia Daily News,[11] the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,[12][13][14] the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,[15][16][17][18] the Pittsburgh City Paper,[19] The Beaver County Times,[20] The Citizens' Voice,[21] and the Lancaster New Era.[22]

Journalist Dan Hirschhorn worked as the Philadelphia-based correspondent for PolitickerPA.[23] PolitickerPA was closed in January 2009, causing one journalist to exclaim "Damn. One less source to do our work for us."[24] The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the Lancaster Sunday News reported on local connections in PolitickerPA's "Power List 2008."[25][26]

PolitickerPA is not to be confused with another Pennsylvania politics website, PoliticsPA.

References

  1. ^ Stetler, Brian (February 18, 2008). "A Plan to Offer 50 Sites on Politics in 50 States". The New York Times. New York, New York.
  2. ^ "Web suited for the Opinionated Eager To Get Their Words Out There". Albany Times Union. The Times Union, Inc. January 14, 2005. The New York Observer officially launched its own blog this week, The Politicker, written by one of its staff writers, Ben Smith. The column focuses primarily on city politics, and readers can respond to Smith's items, adding their own two cents about all things political.
  3. ^ Archibold, Randal C. (June 6, 2005). "Off The Trail: 2005 Mayor; The Season of the Blog". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "There's no passion in city politics and blogs". Newsday. Newsday Inc. October 10, 2005. And The New York Observer's Politicker has become a clearinghouse for campaign news and a regular stop for politicians and other insiders.
  5. ^ "Best Local Politics Blog". The Village Voice. No. vol. 50, issue 41. ((cite news)): |issue= has extra text (help)
  6. ^ Chiaramonte, Perry (November 3, 2005). "Candidate Threatened Scribe: Cops". New York Post.
  7. ^ "James Pindell to serve as National Managing Editor of Politicker.com". Politicker. Maryland. January 4, 2008. Archived from the original on April 3, 2009. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  8. ^ Calderone, Michael (December 12, 2008). "Politicker cuts back nationwide". Politico. Washington, DC.
  9. ^ Calderone, Michael (January 9, 2009). "Politicker cuts back nationwide". Politico. Washington, DC.
  10. ^ Kelly, Keith J. (January 11, 2009). "A Web of Intrigue". New York Post. New York, New York.
  11. ^ Warner, Bob (January 8, 2009). "Matthews to stay on the 'Ball'". Philadelphia Daily News.
  12. ^ McNulty, Timothy (January 6, 2009). "Early Returns: Matthews demure". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania): PG Publishing Co., Inc. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  13. ^ McNulty, Timothy (December 4, 2008). "Early Returns: Even more Rendell". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
  14. ^ Victor, Greg (July 13, 2008). "Cutting Edge: New ideas / Sharp opinions". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  15. ^ "Sen. Obama caught in double play". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. October 26, 2008.
  16. ^ McNickle, Colin (November 16, 2008). "The Age of Mindlessness". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
  17. ^ "Senatus Interruptus". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. January 11, 2009.
  18. ^ "Could Chris take Arlen?". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. November 16, 2008.
  19. ^ Kaplan, Jonathan A. (October 23, 2008). "US Congressional District 4: Jason Altmire (D) v. Melissa Hart (R)". Pittsburgh City Paper. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh City Paper.
  20. ^ Prose, J.D. (September 21, 2008). "OPINION: No rules? No problem! State senate fiasco prompts changes". Beaver County Times. Beaver, Pennsylvania.[permanent dead link]
  21. ^ Sisak, Michael R. (September 12, 2008). "GOP criticizes Kanjorski fundraiser". The Citizens' Voice. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
  22. ^ "Looking For Inaugural Tickets? Chances Mighty Slim". Lancaster New Era. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. November 28, 2008. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012.
  23. ^ Micek, John (April 26, 2009). "Check It Out". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. "Dan Hirschorn, last seen as the Philly-based half of the late PolitickerPa.com, has re-emerged with a new Web site, pa2010.com -- a one-stop shop for the latest campaign news. In addition to news and analysis, Hirschorn said the site will include social-networking facets for campaign operatives and junkies.
  24. ^ Prose, J.D. (January 26, 2009). "Seen & Heard". Beaver County Times. Beaver Newspapers, Inc. PolitickerPa.com has been closed by its parent company, the Politicker Network, which used to run political Web sites in several states. Damn. One less source to do our work for us.[permanent dead link]
  25. ^ "Bill Who?". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. July 20, 2008.
  26. ^ Adams, Helen Colwell (July 20, 2008). "Beiler, Bonusgate And A Bid For Auditor General". Sunday News. Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Lancaster Newspapers, Inc. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Of the 50 most influential political people in Pennsylvania, only two have Lancaster County connections. That's according to the Power List 2008 compiled by new political Web site PolitickerPA.com (not to be confused with PoliticsPA.com, although there's a suspicious resemblance). Coming in at No. 20 is Franklin & Marshall College's Dr. G. Terry Madonna, the most quoted pollster/pundit in the Keystone State. At No. 45 is Erik Arneson, a legislative aide to state Senate Majority Leader Dom Pileggi. Arneson, who formerly worked for 48th District Sen. Chip Brightbill, was a deejay for Christian radio station WJTL-FM.
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