Power Line
Power Line is an American conservative political blog offering commentary on news, public policy, law, and current events from a right-leaning perspective. Founded on Memorial Day weekend in 2002 by three Dartmouth College alumni and practicing attorneys—John H. Hinderaker, Scott W. Johnson, and Paul Mirengoff—it has maintained a focus on rigorous analysis and critique of mainstream narratives.[1][2] The blog achieved prominence during the 2004 presidential election cycle through its detailed scrutiny of documents broadcast by CBS News purporting to reveal inconsistencies in President George W. Bush's Texas Air National Guard service record, which were ultimately deemed inauthentic by an independent panel commissioned by CBS itself.[3][4] This episode, known as Rathergate, highlighted Power Line's role in challenging media reporting with forensic examination of evidence, such as typeface inconsistencies and proportional spacing absent in 1970s-era typewriters. In acknowledgment of its impact on public discourse and media accountability, Time magazine designated Power Line as its inaugural Blog of the Year in 2004. Contributors to the site have since published in outlets including National Review and The Weekly Standard, extending its influence in conservative intellectual circles.[1]