Why look back on this week's prez wannabe forum, when we can join the grown-up lefty blogosphere in full-on brow-furrowed hand wringing about the manipulation of a Nevada debate in August?
You may recall that the NV Dems, Harry Reid in tow (or perhaps that should be Harry Reid, NV Dems in tow) announced last week that the state party would be hooking up with FOX News to jointly sponsor a debate for Democratic prez wannabes.
This prompted a mini-petition campaign by some outfit nobody's heard of, and then the outrage spread a few days later to big bloggers that somebody had heard of, who started an e-mail campaign in the hopes of making Harry Reid, er, the Nevada Democrats oust FOX from the debate and find another broadcaster. In addition to Dina and Shelley and Barbara -- and Harry -- the afore-linked email campaign also allows progressive netrootites to send a message to state party chairman Todd Collins, or as he has been known locally for several years, Tom Collins.
Anyway, you've probably already read about most of this over on the site maintained by that ravishing naughty Minx. Oh, the wiles of that mysterious and charming creature. Sometimes we just want to ... oh, uh, ahem ... never mind.
So, how, you may ask, did Harry Reid, er, the Nevada Democrats respond? By putting out a release late Wednesday under the headline "Arizona, Colorado, Montana and New Mexico State Democratic Parties To Co-Sponsor August Debate In Reno."
"In an effort to ensure that Democratic presidential candidates focus on issues important to Westerners, four key Western state Democratic parties will co-sponsor the August presidential debate in Reno with the Nevada State Democratic Party, the Western Majority Project and FOX News Channel."
Montana!?! Why, that's the home of blogosphere darlings Jon Tester and Brian Schweitzer. How could they have possibly agreed to let the Montana party get involved in this dastardly affair? Don't they read Kos?
This looks like typical Harry Reid the Ever Clever Plotter, lining up other states so as to head off any sniping before it gets too far along.
Moreover, we've always suspected that Reid is delighted to have FOX News sponsoring a Dem debate, especially one that's in Reno (as opposed to Las Vegas). Reid has been unhealthily obsessed with the nation's vast rural swaths ever since Tom Daschle got his hat handed to him up in the Dakota territory. Reid is not interested in assuring Democratic majorities (or Democratic policies) by changing the public's mind as much as he is in convincing a majority of the public that Democrats like guns too, have values too, hate taxes too and are, if not right on the issues, then at least, oh, acceptable.
The beltway being his native habitat, Reid has probably been informed by some media consultant that the quickest way to the heart of the heartland is through Hume (Brit, not David). Reid is either ignoring or oblivious to the fact that FOX is also the quickest way to get your message distorted in the heartland, in that FOX is on message in accordance with Karl (Rove, not Marx).
Meanwhile back at the ranch, er, the Nevada caucus, we're beginning to suspect that Reid is working overtime to control the party and dissent isn't welcome. That might carry a boatload of problems for Nevada Democrats, and Nevada, going forward, problems that are a lot more important than whether the ticker at the bottom of the screen on FOX momentarily says "Democrat candidates call for U.S. to convert to Islam" next August. All the more reason to click the e-mail campaign and let Tom Todd Collins know how you feel.
But what of the netrooters, and their netrooting? They could, s'pose, use their magnificent power for the forces of good, welcome the latest gauntlet as an opportunity to make the anti-FOX campaign bigger, and specifically target not just Nevada Democratic leaders, but leaders in those other states too. Get the liberal media elite to bite, lobby the columnists at grown-up papers to dive in, get Olbermann on the case. See if you can't get the Beltway Boys, the FOX All-Stars and the rest of Murdoch's plow animals to spend a news cycle or two -- or six -- defending the network that has given them so very, very much.
That'd be fun. Educational, too.
You know what really amuses me about this latest round of meaningless/ self-righteous "netroots activism." A lot of the same figures who are now flogging this not quite crucial issue sat on their hands and refused to get involved back when fighting against Tom Collins (locals would never make the mistake of confusing a good whiskey mixer with a southern rock martyr) and other powers that be in the NDSP mattered. They could have gotten behind a campaign that came within a few votes of blocking Reid's annointed candidate from even becoming chair, which in turn might have generated a much more unified party in the fall.
But Stoller, Singer et al thought there was no "authentic netroots presence" out here and decided backing Ned Lamont was more important.
Posted by: | 02/21/2007 at 11:05 PM
I hate to tell people, but Fox hosted a couple of the 2004 primary debates, and their handling of them wasn't appreciably worse than the likes of other news outlets.
The netroots needs to focus on things more important, such as asking why Chicken Obama didn't feel it necessary to show up at yesterday's forum, but he thinks somehow it's more important to court Hollywood zillionaires instead of working people in this country.
Posted by: Susan Nunes | 02/22/2007 at 06:17 AM
If you didn't like Tom Collins before.... those who were vocal against Tom Collins in the State Dem Party have been 'removed' from the State Central Committee. An email was circulated last week telling people that if they believe they should not have been removed (no one was told they were in danger of being removed... they were just taken off) then they could fill out some form that requires proof of attendence at meetings... like affidavits from third partied swearing you were there. I guess the sign-ins sheets have been discarded. This is all happening less than a month before Tom is up for election again. The manipulation that happens with the NDSP is beyond belief. So it looks like we'll be stuck with "if women hadn't pushed the ERA then Nevada would still be a democratic state-Collins" through the election.
Oh... and has anyone else heard that the Executive Director of the state party quit and joined the Obama campaign? Anyone need a job that over pays you just to nod and kiss Reid's butt?
Posted by: | 02/22/2007 at 06:25 AM
Susan, isn't that Zebra Obama? You know - always changing his stripes to blend in with the current environment.
Posted by: texex | 02/22/2007 at 07:23 AM
And everyone out there knows the joke about what a Z-bra is I'm sure. Seems to fit Obambam both ways.
Posted by: texex | 02/22/2007 at 07:34 AM
Well, apropos of some of this (or apropos of nothing), I was watching Fox's channel 5 this morning and their control booth made a little oopsie. When the story being discussed was the guy who shot someone over a parking spot dispute ("one guy pulled a knife, the other pulled a gun - the guy with the gun won") they came to the part where they described the gun guy as "a thin African American" or words to that effect. But guess what? While the "reporter" was describing all this there a momentary cut (not even a second) where the video switched from the parking lot where the killing occured to a clip of Obama. Oops. Guess they needed some video of "a thin African American" man. I'm sure it was an accident and all. Completely unintentional.
Anyway, so I'm a wee tad concerned about Fox doing a Demo ANYTHING. But I'm a worry-wart.
Posted by: Bill in Henderson | 02/22/2007 at 08:03 AM
I wrote to the Nevada Democratic Party asking that they cancelt the contrqact with FOX. here is their response:
Thank you for the email. It provides an opportunity to explain the decision...
FOX News has a viewership of millions, being a consecutive leader in ratings. Most of the time, the network is busy airing very conservative views. Well, the Nevada Democratic Party is going to hold their viewship captive for a hour with our amazing Democratic Candidates. Fox network programming has done a good job of convinving people that conservative values are the only type of values out there. WE GET TO CHANGE THAT!
The Democratic party gets to present our candidates to a demographic that is traditionally disenfranchised from democratic ideals. There will be uninterupted, commentary-free live coverage of our candidates. We can't contine to preach to the choir and expect to grow support for the party. We have to reach out to new audiences, and capture folks who have been deaf to our message. Remember, President Bush's approval rating is hovering around 30%. That means that 70% of America is ripe to hear our message. Strategically, Fox Network will get our message and candidates in front of those people! It would be short sighted not to take advatage of this opportunity for exposure.
Sincerely,
Teresa Benitez-Thompson
First Vice Chair,
Nevada State Democratic Party
Am I the only one that sees Ms. benitez's reasoning as "hopelessly naive"?
Posted by: brendan | 02/22/2007 at 08:12 AM
Always get scared when someone that hyphenates their name has a position of influence. Feels phony and slimy.
Let's also do some math here like "Air that show on FOX and you get 0% of my donations from here on out!~!~!"
Hyphenoids seem to understand money much more than they do principles.
Posted by: texex | 02/22/2007 at 08:19 AM
The NSDP needs to be reaching out to the thousands of registered Democrats that do NOT show up and vote!
And they need to get serious about focusing on the Non-Partisans and Independents who they have, at least, "half a chance in hell" of influencing - NOT "Fox & Friends!"
But, before they get "the cart ahead of the horse" the growing Democratic Progressives and Moderates need to take back their party and elect a new team of real leaders that understand and support basic Democratic values!
The NSDP will go no where, anytime soon, with a State Chairman like Tom Collins that doesn't understand the importance of equal rights for all and such fundamental Democratic concepts like seperation of church and state!
The NSDP does not need anyone in a leadership position "that just follows their church!"
I wonder if Tom Collins has even, ever read the Constitution of the United States?
The Nevada Democrats need a State Chairman that understands, and really appreciates, that ERA was one of the greatest historical victories of the party - NOT, as Tom Collins believes when he said, "ERA is the worse thing that ever happened for women and the reason the Democratic Party became divided and destroyed!"
The NSDP needs leaders that support the many neighborhood Democratic clubs and the diversity of the established caucus groups - not someone who is actively trying to under mine and disenfranchize these groups and dwarf the party!
The progressives in the NSDP need to run the bullies, like Tom Collins, and Liz Foley out of office - and elect intelligent people who have demonstrated leadership records of successful performance!
Until every Democrat is treated with common respect and due dignity and etiquette rules the day - the NSDP will remain dysfunctional.
When a little old couple travels half way across the state to attend the Annual Convention, waits patiently their turn to speak, and the microphones get cut off and they're rudely ordered to sit down - it was shocking and a sad day indeed!
As a patriot, I couldn't believe this was happening in America, and I couldn't blame them when the couple grabbed their belongings and angrily stormed out saying they "would never, ever again attend a Democratic meeting!"
When good people are "purged into political purgatory" simply for supporting an opposing view or candidate - something is seriously wrong with the current leadership!
I hope, and pray, that the progressive Dems in Nevada will prevail in electing a new State Chairman, and that those in Clark County will do the same...until Tom Collins and Liz Foley are "retired" - there is little chance for the NSDP to succeed!
The new leadership need only follow Robert's Rules of Order, protecting the rights of the minorities, democratically determining the will of the majority and ensuring that meetings are held in a civil and business like manner - but, it will take a great deal of smart, and hard work to run out the sick and heal the party!
There is a cancer on the NSDP - especially in Clark County!
Posted by: Johnathan L. Abbinett | 02/22/2007 at 09:56 AM
Kinda feel like this is much ado about nothing.
I'll admit, I was taken back by the announcement that FOX Skewed would be broadcasting the debate. But upon further review I'm not convinced this is the travesty people are making it out to be.
It could very well play in our favor in 2008. I imagine that Fox News viewers are not limited to right-wingnut-neocons.
Shouldn't we put the pitchforks away and let this settle a bit?
Posted by: Pedro | 02/22/2007 at 10:06 AM
Also, one of the tools Fox News uses so effectively to spin the facts are the soundbites and video snippets they choose to broadcast.
Airing a Democratic debate in its entirety will at least allow viewers to hear the context and tone of the discussion and issues from start to finish.
Posted by: Pedro | 02/22/2007 at 10:14 AM
So JLA - who is running against Collins that you'd recommend? Is ANYONE running against Collins?
Posted by: | 02/22/2007 at 10:29 AM
You can bet big $$ is at the bottom of all this. Somebody, perhaps somebody with a hyphenated name, got a big fee for swinging to deal to Focks.
Posted by: texex | 02/22/2007 at 10:30 AM
We won't know for sure until the nominees are announced?
This needs to be an "ABC" campaign - "Anyone But Collins!"
But, wouldn't it be nice IF it was someone who understood basic etiquette, and believed all Democrats should be treated with common respect and due dignity?
Someone who believes women are equal?
Someone who believes microphones should NOT be turned off and people should NOT be rudely ordered 'back to your seats!'
Someone who believes that the Democratic Clubs and Caucus have a unique voice and deserve a vote on the State Central Committee?
Someone who supports our Hispanics, Native Americans, our Veterans, the GLBT, the Young Democrats and the Rural Caucus in their efforts to work hard and organize?
Someone who thinks the North/Rural/South fighting amongst themselves is destructive and our differences should be addressed in a civilized manner - and NOT fueling the fire that divides Nevada!
You know a true blue Democrat that will work for UNITY!
Someone who knows how to make sure everyone attending a Democratic event, checks in and is verified as a registered Democrat - and knows how important it is to keep an accurate record of attendance (like any good Kindergarten Teacher does)...so, people don't get disenfranchized and NOT allowed to vote at the Annual Election of State Officers!
Someone that knows how important it is to get the Agenda published, at least, 30 days in advance of a meeting - so, people can get their issues on the Agenda, and business can be conducted in a fair manner under Robert's Rules of Order and in accord with the By-Laws and Constitution!
You know, a professional person who knows how to run a business meeting - after all, the NSDP is NOT a rodeo!
Someone who does more than just "follows the teaching of their church" - in fact, we need something more than a "follower" - how about a REAL LEADER?
With some real leadership experience?
Someone who is NOT already holding another publicly elected office - and can actually dedicate the requisite time to doing the job of LEADING the NSDP, especially when we are about to take a position on the "national stage" of politics!
Well, it's as easy as "A-B-C" - "ANYBODY BUT COLLINS!"
Then, Clark County needs to clean house too!
Posted by: Johnathan L. Abbinett | 02/22/2007 at 11:21 AM
If you want to see what FOX is already doing to Obama, and what they will do to any front running Democrat, watch this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/02/22/fox-news-repeated-attemp_n_41841.html
It's a short video by a documentary maker about how FOX slimes Obama reapeatedly. Now, give FOX all the soundbytes they can edit, and you can guess what they will do!
Posted by: lisa | 02/22/2007 at 12:40 PM
"Lisa" is RIGHT ON! Giving Fox anything is beyond foolish - it is just plain STUPID!
The NSDP desperately needs new leadership!
Posted by: Johnathan L. Abbinett | 02/22/2007 at 12:54 PM
What is the business about the hyphenated names? Jeesh, seems a bit sexist to me. I've always seen them as compromise by women to their husbands.
Posted by: MTM | 02/22/2007 at 03:39 PM
Can Jill Derby be persuaded to run for NSDP chair? She handled the Watch Party at the Nevada Appeal on Wednesday with her usual grace and style. She's not only a class act, but she's smart.
Posted by: Dee Holzel | 02/22/2007 at 03:50 PM
Guys, er males, also can be a hyphenoid.
If there's one person more bullheaded and incompetent than Collins, it's derby. I point to her campaign as evidence. Maybe a good party girl but not much else.
Posted by: texex | 02/22/2007 at 06:29 PM
A GOOD "Party Girl" would be a vast improvement over a Cowboy that doesn't think women are equal and doesn't understand how fundamentally important the Seperation of Chuch and State doctrine is to the Democratic Party!
Posted by: Johnathan L. Abbinett | 02/22/2007 at 09:17 PM
Seems like in the last Neevaadah election the Democratic female to male candidate ratio was overwhelmingly toward the females. So I'm not sure who is holding the women back but don't let me confuse you with facts.
Posted by: texex | 02/22/2007 at 10:35 PM