There’s a great line in the 1989 film “Say Anything,” when the protagonist Lloyd Dobler tells his friends, “If you start out depressed, everything is kind of a pleasant surprise.” It’s a lesson I wish I could learn in the context of the Montana media’s coverage of the Senate race. Every time I read a story or recap of a debate, I let myself feel profoundly disappointed, because I let myself believe this will be the story that does justice to the race. Tonight, once again, no pleasant surprises.
While Matt Gouras’s piece for the AP does mention that Senator Burns didn’t answer a question about Jack Abramoff, he either gave Burns a free pass on other issues or distorted what happened. Consider these examples. On Jon Tester’s question about Burns’ support for a national sales tax, Gouras writes:
Burns said he would consider it as part of overall tax reform. Tester said he would not.
Sounds straightforward, right? Except that’s not what happened. Burns clearly had no idea what he had supported in the NTU survey, and fumbled for an answer, knowing that support of a sales tax would be politically unwise. Burns was so flummoxed by the question that he didn’t even say he would support the idea of national sales tax. Gouras’s description of this critical exchange is the equivalent of a sportswriter describing a a game-losing interception as an ‘pass attempt.’ Burns sounded foolish and uninformed about his own position; isn’t that part of the coverage?
Another example is Gouras repeating something that was clearly a prepped line for Burns:
Later in the debate, Burns went after Tester for recently going to Washington, D.C., to raise money.
“Guess what he was doing _ having a fundraiser with those lobbyists. Don’t you find it a little hypocritical?” Burns said.
Great point, other than the fact that Tester answered the criticism, noting that Senator Burns had changed votes after lobbyists had visited him and that Burns had recently tried to block 911 requirements from Vonage, then accepted a charter flight to a fundraiser. Someone who didn’t hear the debate wouldn’t have that context–and the Gouras story makes it appear that Burns actually scored a point with this weak analysis.
At this point Senator Burns could spin about on his heels, crow like a rooster and walk up to a robotic Jack Abramoff, punch in a pin number, and take cash from him onstage, and the coverage would still be nothing more than “There was a heated debate between Senator Burns and Jon Tester Saturday night.”
But the Gouras isn’t the end of it. It’s Sunday, so that means it’s time for Charles Johnson’s Horse Sence–the IR’s spelling, not mine. What’s on Mr. Johnson’s mind? A thought-provoking piece with this controversial thesis: sometimes negative advertising can work by making people dislike a political candidate, and other times, it doesn’t work. Featuring the generic stylings of Larry Sabato and Craig Wilson, Johnson offers a few self-defense tips, like checking up on the veracity of claims made by the candidates.
Isn’t that what newspapers are supposed to do? Sure, voters have an obligation to inform themselves, and there are more tools available to them than ever before, but those tools are also available to reporters. Why, for example, don’t the Lee papers have someone analyze the debates? If amateur bloggers, working in their free time can do it, wouldn’t it be great if trained, non-partisan reporters did the same? Why, for example, doesn’t Mr. Johnson write specifically about the negative advertising in this campaign? It’s apparent to anyone with a functioning cerebral cortex that the Burns campaign has been much more negative, backed by a great deal of out-of-state funding. Writing a story that suggests negative advertising happens in political campaigns is about as useful as instructing people that coffee is served hot.
There has been some very solid coverage of this race, from Jennifer McKee and Bety Cohen’s work on the INSA scandal to Mike Dennison’s piece on health care in the Gazette today. Hell, even this story by Charles Johnson is pretty solid, other than the Missoulian’s headline.What distinguishes good coverage from bad is not that it reports what I want to hear; it’s that the coverage says something of substance, drawing meaningful distinctions through analysis and comparison.
We’re drawing close to the finish line in this election. Despite Lloyd Dobler’s wisdom and my better judgement, I’m going to keep waiting to be pleasantly surprised. There’s a great story to be written about this race–and I think it’s going to come.
{ 99 comments }
← Previous Comments
I’d have to check with you right here. That’s possibly not something I usually do! I like reading a writing which will make people believe. Also, appreciate it for allowing me to provide feedback!
Needed to put you this bit of observation to give many thanks as before on your amazing secrets you have documented above. It is seriously open-handed of people like you to supply unhampered what exactly a lot of people would have offered as an e book to earn some bucks for themselves, mostly considering the fact that you might well have done it in the event you desired. The inspiring ideas as well worked like the great way to be certain that many people have similar passion just as my very own to find out very much more with reference to this condition. Certainly there are thousands of more fun periods up front for individuals that read your website.
Brilliant style, ultimately revealed a source for impressive wallpapers
The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod’s. It works well, but isn’t as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that’s not an issue, but if you’re planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod’s larger screen and better browser may be important.
Salut les gens comment trouvez-vous de mon nouveau site sur le diagnostic immobilier ?
I wish to convey my admiration for your generosity supporting folks that must have help with your content. Your personal dedication to passing the message throughout turned out to be unbelievably informative and have truly permitted employees just like me to reach their desired goals. Your helpful useful information means a lot a person like me and much more to my fellow workers. With thanks; from each one of us.
Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you However I am experiencing issue with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting identical rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
Great ¡V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Excellent task..
Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I want to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and certainly not appear to get something done.
The keys to this poll are the last 3 questions. The spread in Mass is +16 for Dems. That’s show in every poll. So the poll sample is correct. The sample of LV and the sample size are ok (not great; would prefer 1500). The male to female ratio looks right too. Finally, 71% of LVs (people that would answer a robo-call) will most likely vote.
ΣΤΟΠΔΡΟΜΟ ΑΥΤΟΠΘΑ ΕΠΡΕΠΕ ÎΑ ΜΑΣ ΠΛΗΡΩÎΟΥΠΚΑΙ ΟΧΙ ÎΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΤΑ ΔΙÎΟΥΜΕ ΚΑΙ ΠΑÎΩ ΑΠΟ ΟΛΑ ΟΣΟΙ ΤΑΞΙΔΕΨΟΥΠΣΕ ΑΥΤΟΠΤΟ ΔΡΟΜΟ ΚΑΛΟΥ ΚΑΚΟΥ ÎΑ ΕΧΟΥΠΤΗΠΤΑΥΤΟΤΗΤΑ ΣΤΟ ΣΤΟΜΑ
Salut vous comment trouvez-vous de mon nouveau blog sur les croisieres ?
I’d need to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I get pleasure from reading a publish that will make folks think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
I savour, cause I found exactly what I was looking for. You’ve ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Can I just say what a aid to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how you can carry an issue to gentle and make it important. Extra folks must read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre no more common because you positively have the gift.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually think this website wants much more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read way more, thanks for that info.
I agree, tyvm for posting this..
I was looking at some of your posts on this internet site and I conceive this internet site is real instructive! Keep putting up.
Hello vous que pensez-vous de mon nouveau site sur le diagnostic immobilier?
you are in point of fact a good webmaster. The website loading velocity is amazing. It kind of feels that you are doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a fantastic activity on this topic!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I’ll definitely be back.
Mate! This blog site is awesome. How do you make it look like this ?
Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, could test this¡K IE still is the market leader and a large component of other people will leave out your wonderful writing because of this problem.
kwjisveueb dibe
Magic, Dead of Night and Wicker Man are all great choices, just the kind of thing I was looking for when I put this together. Thanks for the suggestions! Whats weird about the WM re-make w/ Cage is that it was directed by Neil In the Company of Men LaBute. That almost made me want to see it..and Attenborough did Magic right before Gandhi- very strange.
We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
Its interesting how personal comments from AK dont get moderated.I didnt take the walk the talk thing to heart, I do what I do best, might not be film makingbut what I do gives me joy. Im definitely not performing surgery in a war zone, fuck I aint going close to no war zone as long as I have a choice. Which makes me wanna visit another way to explain this whole thingDanny, Anurag, Lee, Babel and everyone else, we make our own choices brothers (n sisters) and nobody gets an explanation for it.Peace. @AnuragYou really outta look at the brighter side of things once in a while dude.its not all dark and cynical out there, but yeahi respect your artheck I LOVE IT!!!
Nice post. It came up in my feed yesterday.
You are so funny!!! I’ve become obsessed with your website and I spend most of my work hours reading all your archives. And I made an account JUST to post comments. I wish I’d found you sooner, and I wish you posted as much as you used to! You must be constantly busy now though because you are so famous!!
A thing or two not mentioned in the article from a long time training partner. Brenda qualified for the Boston Marathon at full distance 26.2 mi 3 hrs and 40 min in April 2009. She is rumored to be planning a run at 50 mile distance in May 2010
Fascinating post. IпїЅпїЅll be sticking around to learn more away from you guys. Thanks!
Hello les gens comment trouvez-vous de mon nouveau site sur le diagnostic immobilier?
I agree with most of your points, but a few need to be discussed further, I will hold a small talk with my partners and maybe I will look for you some suggestion soon.
Nice blog , I really am trying to learn how to make my website this interesting !
I don’t understand exactly how i discovered your blog post since I was looking for info on about the current events in Pakistan, but anyway I’m extremely lucky that I stumbled upon your post since I had a pleasant 10 minutes reading your thoughts. Keep up the good work! One final thing, can you suggest any other helpful articles or blog posts in regards to the very same issue?
Great site! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am bookmarking your feeds also
Astounding designing, lastly located the website for exotic wall papers
← Previous Comments
Comments on this entry are closed.