Even with the plethora of other political websites and blogs crowding into the reading diet of your average political junkie, the Drudge Report still stands as a barometer of what's rocking conservative America's world. It's particularly scrutinized by producers of talk-radio programs on the AM dial.
For over 15 years Drudge has been providing regular talking points for such programs, and if you're away from your computer for any substantial amount of time, you can keep your dial on 970 WFLA throughout the day and get a good idea of what's been featured or linked on the site. Ditto with some Fox News Channel programs.
The site is always good for stories critical of Obama (also of Michelle Obama, an obsession with the Miami-based Drudge). But it's fascinating when you have a contested Republican primary election and see Drudge pick sides, using the power of his site to subtly (and sometimes not so subtly) criticize another Republican, all in the name of giving support to his candidate of choice, Mitt Romney.
Uncertain about this? Not if you're a regular visitor to the site.
This article appears in Feb 16-22, 2012.