There are times I wonder if partisan bloggers exaggerate their influence on politics and campaigns. But could there be any better validation of the increasingly important role they play than the attack the Republican National Committee launched this morning against the man behind the popular and influential liberal blog Daily Kos?

The RNC sends out regular missives compiling quotes and news clips to attack opponents, or less frequently, boost their own candidates. Democrats do the same. But few pack the punch or are as long as this morning's RNC release: "WHO IS MARKOS MOULITSAS ZUNIGA? A Partisan 'Nutroot' Who Turned His Hate-Filled Blog Daily Kos Into A Leadership Post In The Democrat Party."

Republicans spend 2,800 words on Moulitsas, the co-author of his recent book, and Daily Kos diarists. Among the RNC attack points: "Moulitsas Has Plans To Take Over The Party," "Moulitsas Makes An 'Excellent Living,' "Moulitsas Vehemently Opposed DLC Member Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) In Democrat Primary," "Moulitsas Also Provides Liberal Bloggers A Venue To Promote Their Own Extreme Messages And Ideologies," and the damning claim, "Daily Kos Blogger Markos Moulitsas Zuniga Back From 'Relaxing' Vacation." Republicans also say Moulitsas holds radical positions on the war on terror, including his position that, "The French Are Right."

Moulitsas practices politics not journalism. And the RNC is right that he is becoming increasingly influential within Democratic Party politics. Bloggers who play behind-the-scenes roles in politics deserve scrutiny and should strive for transparency.

The Republican attack on Daily Kos is reminiscent of Democrats trying to tie the GOP to their backers among conservative talk radio hosts. Neither attack is about trying to get the parties to distance themselves from the controversial figures. They are about trying to make party members seem out of step with the mainstream by playing up the influence of people like Moulitsas or, in the past, Rush Limbaugh.

And while this morning's RNC release seems shrill, almost comic in places, it is sure to do the intended job and boost Moulitsas' standing among Democrats. Daily Kos will probably be selling "The French Are Right" T-shirts by the end of the day.