One of the criticisms that is often leveled at the "mainstream media" is its tendency, on almost any story, to present stories in an overly simplistic way. Today's Washington Post has a classic example of this phenomenon, with the article, "Democratic Endorsements Reveal a National vs. Local Split."The gist of this article is that, while Jim Webb is racking up national-level Democratic endorsements, Harris Miller is the one "calling in chits among party activists" who are "sure to turn out for the state's unpredictable primary."
Certainly, Jim Webb has racked up impressive national Democratic endorsements, including Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator and former Chairman of the Democratic National Committee Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), Democratic Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) and former Senator Max Cleland (D-GA). Webb also has the support of General Wesley Clark (D-AR), former Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE), Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA), and Iraq veteran/former House candidate Paul Hackett (D-OH).
It's true that none of these people "have a grass-roots network in Virginia," as Harris Miller likes to point out. However, as Webb senior strategist - and former Mark Warner senior strategist - Steve Jarding points out, they are critically important "verifiers" for Webb.
On this point, Jarding says:
I don't have a lot of time to get to know either one of these guys, if I'm a voter. So they're going to get to know them through people they trust, who can verify them.
As usual, Steve Jarding knows what he's talking about when it comes to Virginia politics. In this case, Democratic voters need to feel that prominent Democrats believe in Jim Webb as a Democrat. And that is, indeed, the case. As of today, here's the score. National Democratic endorsements for Webb: numerous (see above). National Democratic endorsements for Miller: zero.
But what about Virginia endorsements? Do the Washington Post and the Miller campaign have a point here, that Webb doesn't really have any Virginia politicians with a "grass-roots network" in Virginia? Well, let's see, Leslie Byrne won the Democratic primary last year for Lt. Governor, and she endorsed Jim Webb. Do the Washington Post and Harris Miller think that Leslie Byrne has no "grass-roots network" in NOVA? Hmmm.
Phil Puckett is a beloved State Senator from Southwest Virginia, who also ran for the Lt. Governor nomination in 2005. Do the Washington Post and Harris Miller think Phil Puckett doesn't have a grassroots network in his part of the state? Hmmm.
Owen Pickett served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1987 to 2001, representing Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Do the Washington Post and Harris Miller believe that Owen Pickett doesn't have grassroots network in the 2nd CD? Hmmm.
We could go on and on. For instance, do the Washington Post and Harris Miller believe that Arlington officials Jay Fisette (County Board), Frank O'Leary (County Treasurer), Ingrid Morroy (County Commissioner of the Revenue), Libby Garvey and Mary Hynes (longtime members of the Arlington County School Board), plus newcomer Ed Fendley have no grassroots networks in Arlington? Hmmm.
Oh, and neither Chap Petersen nor Janet Oleszek have any grassroots following in Fairfax? Hmmm.
Roanoke County Clerk of the Circuit Court Steve McGraw, Roanoke County Commissioner of Revenue Nancy Horn, and Roanoke County Sheriff Gerald Holt have no clout in Roanoke? Hmmm.
Oh yeah, and Emilie Miller, the first woman elected to the Virginia Senate from Northern Virginia and the former Chairwoman of the 11th District Democrats, has no following in Fairfax, Prince William and Fauquier County? Hmmm.
The Vietnamese Veterans Coalition has no influence among the Vietnamese community in NOVA? Hmmm.
The Sheet Metal Workers union has no grassroots labor support in Virginia? Hmmm.
Etc., etc., etc. So why does the Washington Post insist on oversimpilying the Webb-Miller race into a battle of "national" vs. "Virginia" support bases? Is this how newspapers believe they are going to win back their declining readership, by oversimplifying and making everything black and white? And in what way is this doing a service to the citizens of Virginia? Hmmm.
P.S. I presume that the overwhelming support for Webb among Virginia's Democratic blogosphere counts for nothing, nor does the tremendous enthusiasm for Webb among grassroots citizen-activists in general? Hmmm.
[UPDATE: Perhaps, given pieces like this, a sequel is in order: Why is the Mainstream Media so LAZY?!? Or is "reporting" these days simply regurgitating politicians' talking points verbatim, without any independent fact checking? For instance, Harris Miller "no slouch when it comes to a passionate critique of the global economy." Oh really? You mean, advocating for more outsourcing, globalization, and so-called "free trade?" Ahhhh...]
On the other hand Miller is fading fast and there is no longer much of a story here. They have to make a story or controversy out of something.
even better, get a number of these officials to jointly sign an op ed piece -- if it is signed, for example, by the 3 LT Gov nominees, the Post MIGHT actually pay attention.l
And hdqtrs needs to get in a lot more bumper stickers (and tell the Post that they were in such demand that we ran out!) -- my car got rear-ended so when the bumper was replaced I lost my bumper sticker. I want another!!!!
Take rally signs in your cars, and when you park, put them between your sun screen or window shadeand the windshield, or even in the back windo.
Visibility, visibility, visibility.
Produce more basic literature so that when I am sitting here in Starbucks I can have a stack on my table and use thyat as an invitation if anyone wants to talk about Webb or about the race.
Visibility, visibility, visibility.
Oh, and one other thing about the Post article. Someone should remind them that we have OPEN primaries in Virginia, and Jim's ability to draw independents and Republicans can easily outweigh some of the so-called networks to which thye article refers.
Because we live in a society where the press thinks that the masses aren't intelligent enough to think deeper than a superficial level. Democrats v. Republicans. Black v. White. Pro v. Con. Us v. Them. This case it happens a contrived fight between local Dems v. national Dems.
The fault is a combination of the media being lazy and not wanting to explore every side of an issue and their knowledge of the American public's general apathy to anything that isn't a reality show or sport. People in America want instant answers, opinions, and thoughts that are easy to understand so they don't have to stretch their minds. That's why 30 second political ads work. That's why soundbites work. Why would reporters want to dig any harder for information? They're human too.
2)I also like the idea of getting the signs out; we did okay in the juvenile Shad Planking sign war, let's repeat the performance here--- the sign laws permit it 30 days before the voting, right?
3) The idea of having LOTS of grip cards and literature available is really really good. Is there a new supply available to be picked up?
4) Can we get more Webb interviews or short clips on radio, especially for the morning commute?
5) Targeted mailouts coming up? I hope--- I'm sick of receiving Miller's
6) Handing out publicity (including that op ed piece by Virginia-based Webb endorsers) at Metro stops--- when does that start?
Let's get going.
Teddy Goodson
tgoodson@earthlink.net
In the past, reporters often had degrees in political science, history, English, or other liberal arts or social sciences majors. J-schools, except for some of the top schools, often prepare people with expertise in technique but not content. That's one reason.
Another is that reporters have a limited number of column inches of space or a limited number of seconds of sound bytes in which to deliver their story. Story space competes with advertising space and guess which wins?
As for the substance of the observation, it's true that there is a disconnect between the support national level Democratic elected officials have given to Webb and the support and endorsements local have thrown to Miller.
Whoever said Miller is calling in chits isn't wrong. Some of that support is just that. People who owe him for long years of friendship and favors. It's no more sinister than the people who have helped and supported each of us personally in any endeavor. The man has friends and supporters who real like him and are really grateful, so they are coming out to support him. I don't have a problem with that.
But they are also so close to the forest that they can't see the trees - the fact that Webb is the stronger candidate and most clearly represents core Democratic, bread and butter values, especially concern for the common working man and woman. Friends often lack objectivity and this is the case here. The national leadership sees much more clearly who is the stronger candidate and who can run most consistently on the platform they are crafting for this election cycle.
And thank you for the list of those Virginia officials and ex-officials, who also have grassroots following, who are supporting Webb. The Post did ignore the obvious, which is that some very beloved and successful local leaders are supporting Jim Webb, including two women who will be in our history books, Emilie Miller, the first woman elected to the State Senate and Leslie Byrne, who was the first woman that Virginia elected to Congress, as well as running as Lt. Governor last time.
Perhaps, history will also be on Webb's side and he will be the senator that helps bring Virginia back to the blue column.