Smooth Move

What's up with this grovelling apology posted on Matt's blog by his editor?

This is Jennifer Palmieri, acting CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Most readers know that the views expressed on Matt’s blog are his own and don’t always reflect the views of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Such is the case with regard to Matt’s comments about Third Way. Our institution has partnered with Third Way on a number of important projects - including a homeland security transition project - and have a great deal of respect for their critical thinking and excellent work product. They are key leaders in the progressive movement and we look forward to working with them in the future.

If it was intended to make me think that in addition to offering "hyper-timid incrementalist bullshit" proposals that "are laughable in comparison to the scale of the problems they allegedly address" the Third Way people are also some of the weakest, whiniest-ass babies that ever went running crying to their moms' with a face full of snot and a wet pull-up, then well-done. I can't say my opinion of CAP has been improved much either. How much did someone have to bitch to get that up over the weekend? And what genius blogmeister thought of throwing it up top of the page all night for people to chew on? Not Matthew Yglesias, obviously. Sorry, dude.

And just adding, in the OP he was quite careful to mention they're a worthy outfit that does good work; he really wasn't slamming them all that hard. I'm surprised that someone at Third Way thought it was worth smacking down like that.

Comments

[lemmy caution]

I don't know why Yglesias went to CAP. The Atlantic looked more prestigious. I suspect he wants to get involved in making policy in some manner. Otherwise, why put up with this bullshit.

[Gary Farber]

It's entirely possible they're paying him more money. Plus, it's said to be a neat place to work, and there's lots of cool policy stuff going on all around you.

[Gary Farber]

And likely he didn't expect this sort of pissant bullshit crap.

[lemmy caution]

The more money angle makes sense.

[Doctor Slack]

Institutions are obligated to publicly defend other institutions that they're partnered with. It is hardly a shock to see Palmieri do so, and I don't understand how it impeaches Yglesias' credibility that they have done (as some commenters on his blog are claiming).There has probably been some sort of shit-storming behind the scenes to accompany this, but presumably Saiselgy is tough enough to withstand it; it's not like he's retracted his criticisms. Tempest and teapot.

[belle waring]

I agree I don't think it affects Matt's credibility, but it was ham-fisted execution.

[KenHoughton]

MY's credibility is now completely destroyed, since he backhandedly declared that he approved of Palmieri's post ("we" in this post).

Then again, having your credibility destroyed has never been a problem for the right-wing side of the political spectrum, so it shouldn't be a problem for a weak-kneed centrist.