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Thursday, August 16, 2007

Re: Postman, Boardman, Cheering Etc…

posted by on August 16 at 16:25 PM

Whoa. Postman goes after me on his blog.

Guess I got under his skin by pointing out his executive editor, Dave Boardman’s bias. Executive editors at mainstream dailies aren’t supposed to have biases.

Since there’s no way to defend what Boardman said (that Ds are the activists and Rs are not) , Postman changes the topic and pretends I was denying that reporters are Democrats.

He writes:

Feit says: “Boardman is relying on some pretty out-of-date stereotypes.” [But Boardman] is actually relying on the most recent data. Studies after the 2004 presidential election showed what previous studies have as well: Reporters tend to vote Democratic.

But I didn’t challenge Boardman’s notion that lots of reporters are Democrats. I agree that they are. I challenged Boardman’s explanation of that phenomenon. Boardman says reporters are often activist types. So, Boardman’s assumption is that activists are Democrats.

I challenged that (outdated) assumption.

Check it. Boardman said:

That [newsrooms are filled with Democrats] is not particularly surprising, given how people make career decisions and that social service and activism is a primary driver for many journalists.


And I said:

Boardman’s assumption: Republicans aren’t drawn to activism or social service. How’s that dose objectivity strike you GOP readers out there?

Boardman is relying on some pretty out-of-date stereotypes. I hate to break it to him—maybe he hasn’t been paying attention to the tax slashing, anti-gay, pro-property rights, pro-intelligent design, pro-conscience clause, anti-abortion, anti-immigrant activism out there—but from initiative drives to legislation to legal efforts, GOP activists have been working overtime during the last decade. Successfully.

Postman also reports this: “Feit calls the Stranger a partisan paper and says it is all but impossible for him to talk to Republicans. He does his reporting by only talking to Democrats.”

Yes, I said the Stranger is a partisan paper. Everyone knows that.

But I did not say it’s “all but impossible” to talk to Republicans. Nor do I do my reporting by “only talking to Democrats.” (Is that a statement of fact, Postman?)

Here’s what I said: “I don’t think reporters talk to Republicans enough. I try to as often as I can, which is difficult at a partisan paper like The Stranger.”

Difficult, yes, but hardly impossible. And worth doing. I interviewed the Kittitas County GOP Chair just last week and on and on.

And I’m glad I did.

RSS icon Comments

1

Does this mean you and Postman are not going to the prom?

Posted by StrangerDanger | August 16, 2007 4:31 PM
2

“Feit ... says it is all but impossible for him to talk to Republicans. He does his reporting by only talking to Democrats.”

I'm sorry, but what post was HE reading? You clearly did not say that. Anywhere. Ever. Ugh.

Posted by The General | August 16, 2007 4:41 PM
3

God, this is sooooooooo boring. It's like talking to my little sister about her love life.

"And then he said..."
"Uh huh"
"So I said..."
"Uh huh"
"And then you know what he said?"
"Nuh uh"

Reporters disagreeing w/ reporters about a story regarding how reporters respond to the new. No one cares but you and Postman. Sorry.

Posted by Big Sven | August 16, 2007 4:47 PM
4

Guess Blethen will have to start "Waterboading Wednesdays" on Fairview Ave to remind those dirty, commie, America-hating reporters who pays their salaries.

Posted by Original Andrew | August 16, 2007 4:48 PM
5

I'd have more respect for the Times as a news organization if their reporting had forced Rove's departure. Or, if more than two of them had cheered in the first place. Or,...but this list could get tediously long.

I thought a comment about Boardman's implicit acceptance of Republican framing (activism: anything Democrats are up to) was deserved. But if only two people in an entire newsroom reacted to the news, I can totally understand where he's coming from re: the groupthink angle.

Posted by MvB | August 16, 2007 4:56 PM
6

Big Sven just got on my Christmas card list.

Posted by StrangerDanger | August 16, 2007 5:06 PM
7

You get so giddy whenever you're noticed by the same mainstream papers you propose to hate. Did you call your mom? If anything, a big thanks is in order for helping drive up Times web site traffic - keep plugging Postman's blog.

Posted by BFD | August 16, 2007 6:12 PM
8

SD, you can send that card to

Big Sven Svenson
c/o Ole Olson's Ice Fishing Shack
Third hut past the rusty Bronco
Lake Wobegon, MN 55555

(I'm headin' back to the homeland for the holidays, donchaknow. Hot dish and cheeze curds not sushi and pinot noir this year!)

Posted by Big Sven | August 16, 2007 7:26 PM
9

The problem with bloggers is that they read other blogs.
C'mon, Feit and Postman. Quit with all the foreplay and go get a room.

Posted by Josh and David sittin' in a tree ... | August 16, 2007 11:28 PM
10

As long as both you guys keep your spat from turning into a food fight, I'm all for it. But please, please don't get petty. Stick to the higher discourse.

Posted by Greg | August 17, 2007 10:57 AM
11

Geesh, and I even suggested they be civil.

I notice you call him Postman and he calls you Josh. What's up with that? Aren't you both MSM reporters?

Posted by Will in Seattle | August 17, 2007 11:43 AM

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