Well, so much for Joe the Plumber and his fake story. Last night Barack Obama showed us some real Joes and Josephines from across the country- people we can really identify with. Obama's 30 minute infomercial was clearly aimed at middle class people- Americans who have worked all their lives just to see their pensions taken away, families struggling to make ends meet, retired people who must go back to work to pay for their medical bills. Through several touching real life stories, he showed that we are all connected, whether we are black or white, or young, old or in between. The middle class has slowly been pushed towards poverty, and we need help. Obama is taking his plan to the people, asking us to speak out and vote for change. His demeanor was calm and he looked presidential. He talked about being raised by a single mom who died of cancer, and that his children never had the chance to meet her. Michelle Obama talked about how Barack spends so much time with his daughters. It was very moving, and we cried.On a sorta related subject, why isn't The Morning Call endorsing a presidential candidate? Is it true that the only reason is because the candidates did not meet with the MC face to face?
(I read this in a letter to the editor today.) I've noticed that they recommend Corbett for AG, and Dent for Congress, so why not a president? What is up with this? Over the weekend I read a wonderful endorsement for Obama in the Newark Star Ledger. The MC's refusal to endorse a candidate is a disservice to our community, and shows the arrogance of their editors.
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39 comments:
Wait, a non-partisan news source is supposed to endorse candidates for elections? ...Why? I have always learned that journalists probably shouldn't even vote because it might put bias into their writing.
Katie Bee,
Besides it being a long standing tradition, here are some reasons:
Consider these lists written in 2006 by Stephen J. Winters, then opinion editor of the Connecticut Post:
"Here are reasons why we endorse:
* "to fulfill our obligation and responsibility as a constitutionally-protected media enterprise to not only be a part of our communities but to also help improve those communities.
* "to offer information and perspective that voters can use in evaluating candidates.
* "to create dialogue with our readers.
"Our endorsements are not made:
* "to tell readers who they should vote for.
* "to make a compact with any candidate.
* "to figure out who's most likely to win a contest."
And the paper could endorse both candidates if they would choose. To me not endorsing makes it appear like the editors are "above the fray" They have the "Our View" feature on the editorial page. They opine about other community issues. It just seems odd for them not to endorse a presidential candidate if they are endorsing local candidates.
Hey, Katie Bee, how's school? It's not that newspapers are "supposed" to endorse candidates but many newspapers routinely do endorse them. I'd have to check, but I'd bet this is the first time in a long time (and, possibly ever) that The Morning Call hasn't endorsed a Presidential candidate. They routinely endorse candidates for local, state-wide, and national office.
Also, while some news sources still strive to be "non-partisan," many make their money by being anything but "fair and balanced," Fox News (boo, hiss) and MSNBC (rousing applause) being two that come to mind immediately.
Visit The Morning Call's web site and check out its esteemed Editorial Board members. Their bios (last time I checked) specified each member's political party affiliation. For example, Editorial & Opinions Gatekeeper Glenn Kranzley says he's a "Super Democrat." Yep. I know. Hard to believe.
Interesting, I did not know that Kranzley was a "super democrat."
What does that mean?
"I'm a Democrat and a super voter," is how Kranzley's MC BIO reads, to be exact.
"What does that mean?"
I think (?) a "super voter" is someone who never misses a voting opportunity ...
Mrs. Dottie-
I decided not to watch the commercial last night (we have no time and I'm already counting the minutes until I can vote for Obama), but now I wish I would have seen it.
Totally unrelated, but I just received an Allentown Art Museum email mentioning a submission deadline extension for their upcoming juried show. Based on what I saw at Peter's house earlier this month, I highly recommend the Chen artists submit their work!
The Chicago Tribune has endorsed Barack Obama.
And this is the first non-Republican party presidential candidate endorsement the Tribune has ever made. Prior to endorsing Obama, and for the past, what, like, 150+ years, the Chicago Tribune has been a staunchly "Republican" newspaper, at least when it came to endorsing presidential candidates.
Does anyone know the official reason why The Morning Call has "passed" on endorsing a candidate for President this election? Is it possible they're not aware there's a presidential race in progress? I'm trying to give them the benefit of a doubt ...
Source: Business World
As of Wednesday this week, 231 US newspapers from Alabama to Wisconsin had endorsed Obama compared to 102 for McCain. According to Editor and Publisher, a US journal that covers the publishing industry, the combined circulation of the Obama newspaper endorsers is 21 million readers, compared to seven million for the newspapers that have expressed support for McCain.
the morning call likes to be contrary for the sake of being contrary
Anon 1:10,
Thanks for info. We can make an announcement at Chen on Nov. 8th.
as we celebrate an Obama/Biden victory!
mc judas,
Welcome :) and do tell us more!
Could they be delaying their endorsement to pump up the suspense (yawn) and generate buzz?
Or maybe they're waiting until Wednesday morning to announce it? Safer bet that way.
I just sent this e-mail to Morning Call Editorial & Opinions Veep, Glenn Kranzley ...
Subject: Our Next U.S. President
Mr. Kranzley, hope you are well, will The Morning Call be endorsing a candidate for President?
If so, when; if not, how come?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Thank you as always for your consideration.
B. Villa
Allentown
Mrs. (and Mr.) Dottie-
I found the letter to the editor that says the newspaper "refused" to endorse a candidate because neither would meet with The Morning Call but I can't find any prior Morning Call article announcing "no endorsement." What gives here?
The letter to the editor writer, Evan Blass, posted his original unedited version of his letter on the Morning Call Forum, it goes like this:
It is disappointing to see The Morning Call taking the path of least resistance by refusing to endorse either of the two presidential candidates, especially in light of the magnitude of this election. If one takes the view that a newspaper is more than just a business, that it is in fact a community and governmental watchdog in the best tradition of the Fourth Estate, then The Morning Call is doing its readers a great disservice by essentially choosing not to cast a vote -- it is exactly this type of voter apathy that civic-minded organizations should be fighting to eliminate. More to the point, it is rather arrogant for The Call -- which is not even among the country's top 50 papers in terms of circulation -- to chide McCain and Obama for neglecting to give its editorial board the desired face time during this busy campaign season. It makes the choice to withhold an endorsement at the national level smack of retaliatory self-interest, like the schoolchild who takes her ball home because she doesn't like the rules established by the rest of the kids.
Wow,someone really took a hatchet to that letter. The writer makes some good points. Here's the over-edited letter hat ran in the paper:
"It was disappointing that The Morning Call refused to endorse a presidential candidate. If one believes a newspaper is more than a business, that it is a community and government watchdog, then The Morning Call is doing its readers a great disservice. It also is arrogant to chide the campaigns for not giving the editorial board the desired face time. It makes the choice to withhold an endorsement smack of retaliation, like the schoolchild who takes her ball home because she doesn't like the rules."
Evan Blass
Allentown
Oh, thanks dali for finding that un-edited letter. I try to avoid reading the hate forum comments.
Ever since the layoffs and "redesign" I only get the Call on Sunday, so I'm unaware of any non-endorsement. I didn't miss anything. I don't think endorsements are warranted or obligatory. Really, would any voter wait until a last-minute newspaper editorial to make up their mind? Newspapers FORMERLY were important and even vital.
Hi Bob Jr., I'm with ya, we're down to "Sunday only" too and we're gonna cancel soon and sign up for The New York Times Friday/Saturday/Sunday offer that's currently out there for just $4.70 a week.
But we wanna probe this Morning Call decision to not endorse a candidate for President. It is really curious. And, as Mr. Blass states in his terrific (original) letter, it's also a dereliction of duty.
And, sadly, Dereliction of Duty has become The Morning Call's stock in trade.
It's what they do best.
Ya know what else is really curious ... there's no reference by the "newspaper" in Mr. Blass's letter regarding the prior Morning Call article Blass is referencing. The one where the "newspaper" says it won't be endorsing a candidate. The article nobody can find so far ... stay tuned ...
"I try to avoid reading the hate forum comments." Mrs. Dottie
Yes, so do I. Yesterday under Evan Blass' letter I noticed the Morning Call Forum was allowing a comment from someone named "Obama Blows Me."
If Mr. Blass is correct, that is, if Kranzley & Kompany are withholding a Presidential endorsement out of spite because they're in a snit over neither candidate making the time to come visit the "newspaper" and genuflect before them, wow, this is a story that should run nationally.
Let's see if we can make this happen ...
I think a "super voter" is someone who never misses a voting opportunity ...
if true then Kranzley should definiutely remove the "super" part from his bio's voting description since he is missing a voting opportuiy here on purpose by not endorsing a canididate for prez (its mostly kranzley who writes all morning call editorials ooh feel the power)
I guess it's not surprising that the A-Quiver "Valley Blogosphere/Blogger Tuesday" honoree bloggers are all ignoring this issue at their Morning Call-Affiliated blogs :)
oh where oh where did our local blogosphere's Morning Call dissent go? Since "Blogger Tuesday" started, mum's the word on anything critical of the "newspaper." Sellouts.
Ironic, since they're always monitoring this blog and braying about everything that's being written about here....
Regarding The Morning Call's "Dereliction of Duty" being what they're best at, here's an e-mail I sent TMC Editorial Board today ...
Subj: "Welcome Mat" Meeting Request #195
Dear Morning Call Editorial Board:
My name is Bill Villa.
I'm 54 years old, a lifelong resident of Allentown, and a 30+ year subscriber to The Morning Call.
I have reason to believe Lehigh County District Attorney James B. Martin is soft on select/connected drunk drivers who kill people.
Even more troubling, I have reason to believe The Morning Call news department facilitates Mr. Martin going easy on select/connected homicidal drunk drivers by way of the information it chooses to include--and not include--in its coverage of these criminal cases.
My only daughter Sheena was killed by a drunk driver on her 25th birthday, March 24, 2006.
Sheena's convicted killer is the son of a prominent local attorney whose law firm has represented The Morning Call for many years.
Numerous members of this law firm have been generous and regular contributors to the Committee to Elect Jim Martin, according to public records at Lehigh County Voter Registration.
During the criminal proceedings against Sheena's killer, I was disappointed and distressed by what I perceived to be a purposefully unenthusiastic prosecution by DA Jim Martin and news coverage by The Morning Call that was slanted in favor of the criminal defendant's family -- especially toward the conclusion of the criminal proceedings.
I respectfully request a meeting with The Morning Call Editorial Board to discuss my concerns regarding the newspaper's coverage of my daughter Sheena's case.
I want to be heard by you on this topic.
And The Morning Call Editorial Board's "welcome mat always is out for those who want to be heard." -mcall.com
Additionally, I would like to discuss The Morning Call's coverage of a 2003 vehicular crash death and the soft outcome for the criminal defendant in this case.
And finally, I would like to discuss a September 2007 DUI homicide case, including ...
* the surprisingly soft outcome for a criminal defendant who had received a 2nd DUI after having committed vehicular homicide while DUI
* the relationship between DA Jim Martin and the criminal defendant's grandfather who was an invited guest at Mr. Martin's January 2008 swearing-in ceremony
* the "excellent questions that deserve to be answered" (your own Investigations Editor Tim Darragh's words) that I have raised regarding this DUI homicide case
Quoting from your web site ...
"... the [Morning Call Editorial] board intends to be as open with readers as possible. It meets regularly -- a few times every week -- with people and groups about topics of public interest. The Lehigh Valley area is blessed to have public-spirited citizens who recognize that the newspaper is a corporate citizen that strives to be engaged in the debate on such issues, and that tries to offer leadership. The welcome mat always is out for those who want to be heard." -www.mcall.com
This is my 195th request for a "Welcome Mat" meeting with The Morning Call Editorial Board.
I request that you honor it, and my daughter Sheena, by booking a meeting with me.
I look forward to hearing from you and scheduling a date and time to meet with the 5-member Morning Call Editorial Board.
Sheena's Dad
Bill Villa
RE: the Morning Call Forum was allowing a comment from someone named "Obama Blows Me."
Dali, it seems like the hate forum just keeps getting more disgusting. What I can't understand is the silence in our local blogosphere regarding the anti-Muslim crap out there both nationally and locally. How can anyone rationalize such prejudice and hate? And all this "guilt by association" garbage. My maiden name sounds Muslim and my neighbors are Muslim, does that mean I associate with terrorists?
There are a lot of "Joe the bigots" out there, and many people who are in a position to speak out about it remain silent. Hope they speak on Tuesday Nov 4th. Glad Colin Powell said something.
" ... many people who are in a position to speak out about it [that is, the rampant and rabid HATE that is allowed at The Morning Call Forum] remain silent ..."
There used to be SEVERAL loud voices in our local bloggersphere speaking out against The Morning Call and that newspaper's MANY failings.
But The Morning Call is smart. They SILENCED all this healthy dissent by inviting the formerly loud voices to become MORNING CALL BLOGGERS and consultants. And the bloggers went along with it compliantly, like putty in Glenn Kranzley's hands.
Despite their shortcomings, I'm usually not hugely offended by the Morning Call. Sure, the recent redesign, featuring the incredible shrinking editorial page (no more national columnists) was a disappointment, but there were probably financial reasons that necessitated the change. No presidential endorsement? Well, OK, I thought, they'll let people make up their own minds this time. Yes, I'm a tolerant fellow, but that's all over now. Check out Saturday's story, "NRA hoping ads bag win for McCain". They're actually planning to deliver Tuesday's paper in a bag with an NRA ad that reads, "Vote freedom first. Defend freedom. Defeat Obama."
I tried calling their office with the intention of telling them that if my paper arrives in this NRA sh**bag, they should cancel my subscription, but their office was already closed for the day. I reviewed their website to see who'd be the best people to contact about this. But maybe a multiple, united effort would be more effective. Any thoughts or ideas, anyone?
I like your revolutionary spirit, davefoll.
Re: thoughts or ideas, I'd rule out 195 polite e-mails to The Morning Call's Editorial Board as I know from firsthand experience that this won't work even if your daughter gets killed. They're that heartless.
Best strategy is canceling your subscription.
And if you're a business, canceling all your advertising programs with them.
If enough people did this, in protest, I believe The Tribune Company (The Morning Call's parent company) would step in and shit-can the people most responsible for The Morning Call's ongoing annoyances: starting with Managing Editor Dave Erdman, and (especially) long entrenched and tenured Editorial & Opinions VP, Glenn Kranzley-- the guy who frames all of the agendas and gate-keeps all the opinions and in his spare time edits everyone's Letter to the Editor so that every letter reads like it was written by Glenn Kranzley.
With some new and eager to please the public "people persons" in key positions at the newspaper, and a major attitude adjustment infused throughout upper management, I believe The Morning Call would have a fighting chance at becoming a newspaper that actually serves the best interests of the community instead of pissing the community off continuously with its monopoly ivory tower arrogance.
As Bob Dylan sang, "money doesn't talk, it swears."
The only way to get The Morning Call's attention is to strangle them via their money flow.
Maybe the MCall wasn't going to endorse Obama (unlikely). They may have been worried about how Obama treats the peopl ewho don't endorse them. Check out this link and see what I am saying
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/31/washington-times-kicked-obama-plane-finale/
actually planning to deliver Tuesday's paper in a bag with an NRA ad that reads, "Vote freedom first. Defend freedom. Defeat Obama."
there's your morning call endorsement of a presidential candidate
maybe a multiple, united effort would be more effective. Any thoughts or ideas, anyone?
take your morning call complaints directly to the tribune company. emails and phone calls to this person will get their attention
The Tribune Company
Media Relations:
Gary Weitman
gweitman@tribune.com
312.222.3394
I wonder if a condition of the NRA's Tuesday ad (bag) buy was that The Morning Call had to either endorse John McCain, or, not endorse anybody?
WOW. Now THERE'S a story.
And see what happens when The Morning Call arrogantly goes its own way and refuses to answer excellent questions that deserve to be answered?
Speculation takes over, and so far here's what we got re: why TMC isn't endorsing a presidential candidate this election:
a) Not aware of upcoming election.
b) Glenn Kranzley had been counting on a scrapple breakfast with John McCain AND Barack Obama SO BAD that when both candidates snubbed him (scrapple?) well, okay guys, no endorsement for neither of youse!! says Glenn
c) Dave Erdman caved to NRA demand that TMC not endorse Barack Obama under any circumstances or the NRA would cancel their ad bag buy and TMC needs the money so badly that Erdman agreed.
d) None of the above ... and ... okay, so what's the valid reason for not endorsing a presidential candidate this election, Morning Call?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks for posting letter Dave.
I agree, sadly the ad dept. seems to be in charge at the Mourning Crawl. We only get the Sunday paper, and that's because I use the coupons.
Hey davefoll, great e-mail letter, please keep us posted on any responses (or lack thereof) that you receive ...
Tim Kennedy, the Morning Call publisher, replied to me within a few hours:
We accept political advertising as do all media. I do not view the notion that the NRA does not support Obama as all that controversial to the average voter. While the message/messenger may be objectionable to some, the content of the ad is not.
You are quite wrong to make light of the separation of editorial and advertising decisions but you are entitled to your opinion. And the integrity of the paper stands well beyond any one advertisement.
I suspect that we will be criticized for this but I also think that had we rejected the ad under some general notion of fairness, we would have received legitimate criticism of bias from the other side. Moreover, I believe that the readers/voters are smart enough to understand that this is a paid advertisement and process this advertising as such. I realize that this may not be a satisfactory answer to you but hopefully it provides more context for the decision here.
I will explore whether we can accommodate your request to deliver your paper tomorrow without the bag. I thank you for reading The Morning Call and respectively ask that you reconsider your assessment of the value of what we do and how we do it.
Regards
Tim Kennedy
My response follows. While I kept it polite out of respect for his quick response, I think I got the point across. Whether it has any effect will depend on how many others convey their opinion!
Mr. Kennedy,
I appreciate your timely response to my email yesterday, given that yesterday was undoubtedly a very busy day for you. I also appreciated my "NRA-free" delivery of the Morning Call today. It's gratifying to know that responsive customer service is alive and well at your organization.
Nevertheless, I'm sure you'll be receiving a lot of negative feedback on this issue. While I agree that many readers will think nothing of the NRA ad, the idea that it may constitute an "unofficial" endorsement by the Morning Call (given your lack of an official one) may occur to some cynical and naive voters alike. Furthermore, it seems to me that in the midst of an economic downturn, this may provide some of your non-NRA subscribers with an excuse to cancel. I'm surprised there weren't other available sponsors who are less polarizing, but I suppose the NRA's pockets are deeper than most (although I don't think that will help their cause much in this case).
Perhaps you won't receive as much criticism as I've anticipated, but I don't believe this decision was in your best interests. I look forward to reading the opinions of other customers.
Thanks again for your time. Now, back to the election!
Dear Tribune Company:
Please shit-can Tim Kennedy first.
And then Glenn Kranzley, Dave Erdman, Ardith Hilliard, Bill White, and Paul Carpenter.
Thanks for your consideration.
Bill Villa
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