All Right -- I'll Vote for Me, Too

The Friendly Blogosphere

It wasn't exactly a FEMA moment, but there was something odd about the Department of Defense "Bloggers Roundtable" on Tuesday with Marine Lt. Col. David L. Coggins, chief of the mobile training and mentoring team for noncommissioned officer leadership, NATO training mission.

The session was hosted by Jack Holt of the Pentagon's new media operation. Two bloggers spoke by phone with Coggins, who was in Baghdad. The idea was to reach out to the blogosphere and give bloggers access to military officers. We're told most of those who've logged on have been defense community insiders. Some sessions attract more folks than others.

Holt turned to Jared Fishman-- that was Lt. Jared Fishman -- for the first question, which, Coggins said, was "a really great question." Holt asked about "what type ships the Iraqi navy was working with?" That, too, was deemed a "really great question."

Coggins at one point gave an answer that Holt deemed just "excellent." Holt asked if "anybody else" in the blogosphere had "any other questions." Apparently not, so Holt concluded the session, noting it was "a great news story."

It's always a great news story when the right bloggers are onboard.

Staff researcher Julie Tate contributed to this column.