I know that most of you Redstaters support this site with both your time and money.  For some though, it may be more time than money. You know who you are.

I’ve posted about the quality of this site before. That got me to thinking about the huge effort involved keeping this site operational. Even though I do not support nor do I agree with many of the views here, I believe this site plays an important role in our American political discourse.  So, I felt compelled to click that contribution button and give some monetary support.  You don’t need a link, It’s in front of your face.

C’mon everyone, if a liberal thinks this site is important and worthy of support, maybe you should take notice.  This site is about presenting well thought out conservative views that shape the whole conservative movement. Eric goes all over the place to bring your ideas and comments to the mainstream and this site relies on private funding by its community. How conservative is that?  Maybe, some extra $$ will help push a Redstate 3.0 or 4.0 that adds cool features for the community.

I’m a liberal but I believe in a robust two party system. Redstate is an incubator for conservative ideas and message. I actually see your message starting to gel here. I come with my own liberal bias but I think Redstate is a place well positioned to articulate the conservative cause on a national scale. It’s important for our country to have more than one voice. As I said, I don’t agree with with everything here but I respect, appreciate, and consider the views put forth. I’ll even admit, that some of my views have been affected by my interactions here — the keywords and “some” and “affected” so don’t chock this as a win on your part.

So, I challenge all of you rock-ribbed conservatives to take the “less than a minuite effort” to click on the contribution page and give a bit, or even a bit more. For all you non-monetary contributors; are you going to just sit by and let a liberal out do you on this commitment? Are you going to let me claim the easy ground of  “put your money where your mouth (keyboard) is?”  Just a few dollars from each of you will ensure that Redstate thrives. I think it’s worth it. Do you?

Note: I clearly am not employed by nor influenced by Redstate to post this message. I just want to see sites like this stay up and vibrant.

I am an open liberal on this site. I’ve been a registered member for awhile and have lurked here for more than 4 years. Like many of you, I try to get a variety of views across the political landscape and I routinely check both liberal and conservative blogs.

Of all the sites I view across the whole right/left political spectrum, I find myself most drawn to this site. Since I don’t agree with many of the opinions here, I’ve been a bit confounded as to why I have a special preference for this place. It obviously wasn’t about reinforcing my own political leanings.

I don’t have much free time to post, either diaries or comments. Recently, I’ve had some time to comment and I’m glad I did because the interchange helped me to focus and consider this site’s inherent qualities.

Redstate is unique in the blogosphere and if one puts political affiliation aside, the core strengths of Redstate are starkly evident.

First, the Front Page diaries are well crafted. The authors, all of them, are highly skilled, informed and accomplished writers. I’m not a writer but I know good work when I see it. It is of equal importance that each front pager brings a unique conservative perspective. I’ve learned a lot about the various shades of conservatism from their collective writings.

Second, are the member’s diaries – Many of the member contributors could easily be front pagers here. Most would be and more than a few are front-pagers on other sites. (I read most of their blog links) Again, well crafted writing and sourcing seems to be the rule and not the exception at Redstate.

Third is commentary — This is the slightly hidden gem on this site. I doubt any one could find an online community with so many informed members. I’ve sparred with some of you here and most of you really run me through the ringer. There is just no other site with a community of this high caliber.

Finally, there is the site policy: At first, I thought the Directors were a bit draconian in their moderation and guess what, I was right. They are! I later appreciated that they do this to maintain the very high standard that makes this place unique. Any acts of profanity, commando propaganda bombs, or downright rudeness are quickly dispatched. The Directors demand the same quality discourse of members that they individually exercise. They embrace merit – period. Now, that’s rare!

So this liberal gives Redstate an “A+.” I don’t do this to curry any favor. If you read this diary you would know that I don’t believe that’s even remotely possible here. It’s just an honest rating, without regard to political affiliation. You conservatives are lucky to have this place. There’s nothing even close on the liberal side.

(Aaron, pleeease!!!…it’s not my destiny!)

Politico reports the RNC disclosed expenditures of over $150,000 for outfitting Sarah Palin and her family. On cue, the media and blogs go on their attack Sarah Palin frenzy de jour. No context, no balance, just a dysfunctional need to conjure negatives on Sarah Palin. I believe we’ve hit yet another low in politics and the bias and unfairness is undeniable. Here’s how I got there. (apologies to Glenn Beck)

First — It was RNC spending, not the McCain campaign or Palin. Why attack her? She didn’t do or violate anything

Second — Palin was thrust into the national spotlight. Neither her nor her family was prepared for this level of instant exposure. Who can ever be prepared for our presidential campaign circus? To put it in context; have you ever been stressed about an impending public situation where you didn’t have the appropriate wardrobe? Multiply that times a thousand for Sarah’s situation. The RNC prudently provided the appropriate wardrobe for a candidate and family not used to this level of exposure. One only has to look at Palin’s released tax returns to see that she and her family, likely, do not have the means to outfit themselves for national prime time events every night. Who does? Perhaps that’s why her entry into this race resonates with so many people. She is Joe the Plumber.

Third — The RNC has stated “on the record” that this was not a gift. Just as the bunting, posters, and signs are presentation stagecraft, so are Palin’s outfits. Nobody has ever questioned the cost of flag bunting. It is the RNC’s duty to put forth the best image it can just as it is the DNC’s.

Finally — This smacks of unfairness. Let’s hold everyone to the same standard. As Drudge just reported, the Obama campaign has disclosed spending of $437,144 on meals. Why not outrage here? To follow the logic that is used against Palin, shouldn’t Obama’s campaign merely have provided rice and beans for their workers? It’s nutritious, healthy and cheap. It would have clearly displayed that Obama is not an elitist. Pretty silly, huh?

I haven’t even touched the implications of bias against women. That’s a “third rail” issue. Hillary knows all about that.

Just because the media can go into the gutter, it does not mean they should. They garner no credibility if they do not assess the weight and real relevance of a story. McCain and Obama have real differences on important issues. How about reporting on that? America, wants it. But, if the media still feels the need to go tabloid, at least balance the coverage.They should to apply their own “fairness doctrine” of professional journalistic behavior. Quit dressing down Sarah Palin for nothing but sensationalism to achieve ratings. If you want to report on her, report on her stand on the issues. Something it looks like you choose not to do. What, she’s too normal for you?