Howard Wolfson, longtime political communications operative and current Deputy Mayor for Government Affairs and Communications to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, just published his first post on The New Republic‘s World Cup blog.

In it, he says soccer is getting big in the U.S. Why? Because Matt Drudge is covering it. Said Wolfson:

You may not think much of his politics, but Drudge still has an uncanny ability to shape and direct traditional news coverage. He knows his audience, and if there wasn’t a market for soccer in the States, he wouldn’t be featuring it on his site.

And yes, those vuvuzela horns are very loud.

One day after news broke that Communications Director Anita Dunn would be leaving the White House, the administration has granted an interview to Fox News’ Major Garrett, Matt Drudge reports.

Dunn led administration attacks against Fox News in recent weeks. No doubt many will be asking if the two moves are connected. More to come…

UPDATE: Sources tell TVNewser the interview isn’t confirmed as of yet. The administration had told Fox News not to expect an interview until 2010.