In a recent blog of my own, “Your Blog Will Be Investigated Soon”, I said: “If anyone thinks that ‘bloggers’ will remain beyond Congress’ campaign finance speech regulation just because they invoke ‘the Internet’, they are probably kidding themselves.” In a piece on Tech Central Station entitled “Campaign Money for Bloggers”, James D. Miller offers the politically astute observation that “a partisan millionaire should set aside, say, $20 million to give to politically useful bloggers.”

Obviously, even if we largely do now, we won’t live long in a world without “bloggers for hire”. Trying to ferret out those working for a living and those who are “hobbyists” will prove well-nigh impossible. And to have the Government try to enforce a “not-for-hire” regime is wrong anyway as a matter of principle.

I also discussed the issue with the upcoming elections in 2006, that bloggers will play a pivotal role in candidates delivering their message via blogs.  I would like to see bloggers in the political arena have a place where they can be sought out and contracted to be an influence for politicians on the campaign trail.  Many in Washington will be hard pressed to find the bloggers with the skills to be both a good writer, and a person with the skills to blog.  It will be the blogger that understands rules and regulations related to working and reporting for campaigns that has a leg up on taking a bite out of that $20,000,000 pie.

Technorati Tags : Elections, Campaign, Blogging+Politics, 2006+Elections, Blogger+For+Hire