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We'll return to covering the news shortly, but I hope readers won't mind a brief self-indulgent interruption.
Exactly 10 years ago tomorrow, I began my blogging career, making this my "blogoversary." My very first post, published on Feb. 23, 2003, complained about the guest list on "Meet the Press," which reinforces the thesis that some things never change.
Of course, some things change quite a bit. Ten years ago, I was 29, a job opportunity had just fallen through unexpectedly, and I suddenly found myself in an awkward professional position. My wife suggested I start a blog -- if I had an online outlet, maybe I'd stop droning on about politics in our kitchen -- and it seemed like a little side project I could tackle until a "real" job came along.
At a minimum, I thought at the time, blogging would offer me a chance to keep up some writing chops and perhaps get a couple of writing samples out of the endeavor. I was already closely reading some blogs -- Drum, Kos, Josh, Atrios -- and it looked like they were having a good time, so I jumped in.
And I liked it more than I thought I would.
As much as I was enjoying myself, though, finding an audience was difficult. My reader base was initially so small, I'd check my traffic and realize that I knew each of my readers individually. Promotion was tricky -- there was no social media in 2003 -- and I was reluctant to create a comments section for the first several months because I didn't want a series of posts followed by a series of zeroes.
But I kept at it, and in time, readers started to appear. The keep-me-busy side project slowly evolved into a full-time career, which led to opportunities -- like joining Rachel Maddow's team -- that would have simply been unfathomable to me when I hit "publish" for the first time in February 2003. Ten years, two wars, three presidential elections, and a global economic crash later, I turn around to discover that I've devoted a fourth of my life to a non-traditional profession that didn't even exist in the not-too-distant past -- and I'm having an absolute blast. Indeed, the passion I felt for the work a decade ago hasn't abated in the slightest, and I still wake up every morning looking forward to digging in, writing long-winded tirades.
All of which is to say, thank you. Whether you've been reading for 10 minutes or 10 years, I appreciate your time and support.
* Update: I added a link to my first-ever post in the second paragraph, but keep in mind, the old site is on a modest server. Don't be too surprised if it crashes.
Leave a Comment:
Yes, Mr. Benen, I began reading your little blog when you were nothing more than a Carpetbagger, and now I am pleased as I realize our connection is ten years old, and though I enjoyed your observations at the Washington Monthly and was a bit reluctant to follow you here, I'm glad I did! -Kevo
I remember Kevin Drum putting a recommendation for this little Carpetbagger Report in a WaMo post back in 2004, and discovering you. Within months, you were the first place I went to every day.
I can also remember when TPM was one page on a "Blogger" site and the Chairman of the Board really was a guy sitting in his PJs in his bedroom. :-)
I remember the same ^-^ Although I was a bit slower to pick up Steve, I did enjoy his stuff posted on WaMo, and eventually started reading his blog first.
My spouse has said the same thing: Why don't you blog? But not all of us are able to make such great points so fast. The rest of us will always be playing catch-up and reader.
The biggest compliment to anyone's work these days in journalism is when your readers put you on top of a "must" read every morning. Added to that is the hope that enough people see your work and it makes the airwaves.
You have succeeded in both areas.
Thank you and congratulations on your 10th year.
Happy blogoversary, Steve. Thank you for the glimpses of sanity in a media landscape awash with disinformation. Know that you make a difference.
Congratulations to you (& your wife :>), I have enjoyed your work, although for a short time, working with Rachel must be pretty cool and good luck with your continued success, GRW
I read your blog like it's a blue dot life preserver. Thanks and congratulations on ten years, Steve!
Thank you and congratulations!!!!
Congratulations Rachael.
I laugh with you. I cry with you.
Every night I learn something new.
Thank you.
Was your first blog post at the Carpetbagger?
I started following you there but can't recall when at all.
Oh, and you're the best. #1. No one is better.
Congratulations. I have followed nearly all ten years. I really appreciate your fine work.
Five years ago, give or take a couple months, I was looking for a political blog that wasn't blocked by my job's overzealous content filter, and happened to stumble on something called Carpetbagger Report. Over the course of a year I gradually became a regular reader, then followed you to WaMo, and now here. I can definitely say that I'll keep reading your stuff no matter where it is. Cheers!
Congrats Steve. Keep of the thought-provoking and insightful work! It is much appreciated.
Happy Blogoversary!
Steve, should you link to your first-ever post? (OK, kidding. Emoticons. Heart emoticons.)
"the passion I felt for the work a decade ago hasn't abated in the slightest"
And we sense that passion every day- usually many many times a day!
Get "This Week in God" in the can, go take your wife to dinner, and enjoy the weekend, Steve.
Congratulations Steve! Followed you from the Carpet days.
Vive L'orange! Long live the Orange. Orange is the color!
Congratulations, Steve. Looking forward to the next 10 years, and beyond.
Happy Blogaversary! Keep up the great work--lots of people rely on you for information and analysis we can't find anywhere else!
The answer is still orange
What was the question? "What word describing a colour doesn't rhyme with any other English word?"
Congratulations! You're my first read, must read throughout the day. Keep up the fine work.
Congrats and happy anniversary. I visit numerous times every day and am almost always better off for it.
Thanks
Trail Blazing effort-Congratulations
"Life is what happens while we are busy making plans for other things"
Congrats Steve...my daily reality zone is much appreciated...
Gosh, Time does fly doesn't it. congrats!
Been following you since your Carpetbagger days, when your reputation as the energizer bunny of bloggers was forged in the blast furnace of the liberal blogosphere. You were great right out of the gate, and remain great to this day. Here's looking forward to your next 10 years.
Congratulations, Steve - there would be an unfillable void in the political commentary sphere without your steady-on observations. 'Chronicling Mitt's Mendacity' is already the stuff of legend. You're the best! Seriously.
Amen to that!