Oranges and Oranges
By Mitch Berg
A few months back, while covering a John Kline town hall meeting, reporter Jeff Fecke noted that Congressman Kline…:
- didn’t actively kiss the butts of the TV news crews covering the event (although the crews were there and able to cover the event freely and without interference), and
- didn’t arrange for wireless internet to enable bloggers to liveblog the meeting.
His conclusion, over on his own blog?:
The Kline camp went into this meeting terrified of…something. I’m not sure what. And I think it was a huge strategic blunder. But they were scared to death of something happening that would make John Kline look bad, and they took pains to ensure that the meeting would be as tightly controlled as possible.
Bear in mind, the tapes rolled and the bloggers typed (or took notes) unimpeded, while Kline (gasp) stayed on message.
So I’m wondering if the local leftyblog peanut gallery has any comment about Al Franken, who barred cameras from his speech in Rochester?
Anyone?
(I won’t hold my breath).
What is Stuart Smalley terrified of?
June 15th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
I would think that a guy that demands public funding of campaigns because he can’t raise money would want FREE media coverage.
Apparently, I would be wrong.
June 15th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Kline was doing an open townhall meeting. Franken was doing a private fundraising event.
Please tell me you understand the difference.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
No Doug.
If it was a Kline event some Lefty would have snuck a camera in.
Instead SS got to beg for more money since he cant get public money to pay for his campaign.
June 15th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
predator said,
“Instead SS got to beg for more money”
Wow! A politician asking for money?
Who would have thunk.
Nice name by the way. That’s sarcasm by the way.
June 17th, 2007 at 4:51 am
Kline was doing an open townhall meeting. Franken was doing a private fundraising event.
So?
Doesn’t change my point. Remember, we are discussing a man that whines about having to do ANY fundraising. You would think with the free publicity of media coverage that would make the whole fundraising issue easier on himself would be a no-brainer. The only people that know about his campaign are us political junkies. So why bar the cameras?
What, is Franken so uncontrollable that he and his staff are afraid of photographic embarrassment?
That might be a reason.
June 18th, 2007 at 6:55 am
Paul said
“Doesn’t change my point. Remember, we are discussing a man that whines about having to do ANY fundraising.”
Nice try. Franken doesn’t whine about having to do fundraising. He supports public funding of elections. They are not mutually exclusive. And if you followed his travels leading up to the ’06 elections for Democratic candidates and his itinerary now as a candidate himself, you’d understand what a stupid statement that was.
June 18th, 2007 at 9:16 am
In “If You Ever Wonder Whether We Really Need Public Financing of Elections in this Country” (posted on June 4, 2007):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-franken/if-you-ever-wonder-whethe_b_50344.html
Al Franken says:
“Also, I wouldn’t have to keep asking you for money all the time. ”
So he “doesn’t whine about having to do fundraising” (sic)? All I had to do was RTFA (by Al himself, mind you) to realize you are a poor judge of what is “stupid”.
June 18th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Franken doesn’t whine about having to do fundraising. He supports public funding of elections.
Get this passage from what Troy linked above:
If you ever wonder whether we really need public financing of elections in this country, try running for office. You might think I spend most of my time kissing babies or shaking hands or having serious policy debates in which my sparkling wit and superior knowledge of the issues combine to sweep audiences off their feet. [ed. – Oh Lord.]
But no. I spend most of my time doing this.
– Picture of Al on the phone –
That’s me during “call time,” which is basically what candidates for public office do all day. The guy on the right is Kris, my call time manager. It’s his job to sit with me for hours at a time and make sure I’m “making the ask” on every call. For instance, he’s currently pacing behind me reminding me to make another “ask” in here. Here it is, Kris: please click here and give me money. Okay?
He’s whining, griping and complaining, Doug.
Brian Maloney, in the column I linked earlier, hits the nail on the head:
Particularly pathetic is Franken’s griping about the amount of time he must spend each day on fundraising. What did he think he’d be doing, relaxing on the beach?
Here’s a funny comment from “robhunt”, a HuffPo poster:
The truth is that after his lazy days at Air America, where he billed the company for lunch tabs and collected a fat salary, Franken is finally forced to put real effort into something and doesn’t like it. Even the books were mostly written by Team Franken, made up of young Harvard grads.
If he can’t handle the fundraising calls, how will he fare during ultra- boring Senate proceedings? Be careful what you wish for, Al, you just might get it.Actually, he just might make them interesting, if he rants on the floor like he argues with Michael Medved each time they are on air together.
Next time Doug, visit the links I post before you fly in and call my statements “stupid.”
June 18th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Paul said,
“He’s whining, griping and complaining, Doug.”
His point isn’t about having to fund raise for elections. Franken is a satirist and he’s talking about people running for public office not being able to devote time to doing actual face to face campaigning when they have to spend so much time trying to raise money.
I would have thought you would be smart enough to get that but apparently I gave you too much credit.
June 18th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Whatever, Doug.
Do you buy your goalposts with wheels?
June 18th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Maybe you should actually read the material you link to.
“Don’t get me wrong — I don’t mind talking to people about my campaign and what I’d do in the Senate to push for universal health care, stem cell research, and an end to the war in Iraq. (Although sometimes I get kind of annoyed when I get too many voicemails in a row.)
What I don’t like is that I never get to spend enough time really getting into the issues.”
June 18th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
I never get to spend enough time really getting into the issues.”
Oh, get real.
Who’s in control of your campaign, Stuart?
Or is it that you have nothing to say?
June 18th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
“What I don’t like is that I never get to spend enough time really getting into the issues.”
Which means he’s whining/complaining/griping about having to fundraise. Which is my point all along, Doug.
That’s not simply calling for ‘public funding of campaigns.’
Fundraising is part of the job description of politician; Franken should have known that going in. If he wants to get elected, he has to stump for it, earn the war chest cash and the votes like everyone else who campaigns for office. What’s more, he can simply mention his platform issues during a fundraising call, something else every other politician does.
Since the event we are talking about was a private FUNDRAISER, why not maximize the exposure and effort by allowing credentialed media with cameras to cover the speech, thus FREE publicity to push forward the campaign? I think we know the answer.
Here’s the real reason Franken supports public campaign funding: Norm Coleman is beating him like a drum on the fundraising front, so now Franken wants to change the rules. Typical lefty.
If all he wants to do is pontificate to audiences of sycophants while lining his pockets, he already had that with a radio show. For years.
June 19th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Oh good god you people are dense.
Commenting that you don’t get to spend enough time talking in depth about issues with potential supporters is NOT whining.
Most VOTERS want politicians to spend less time spitting out 10 second sound bites and more time giving details. You might understand this if you weren’t part of the dunce brigade that bought the Iraq WMD crap.
“Fundraising is part of the job description of politician; Franken should have known that going in.”
Franken did know that which is why he has been talking about publicly financed elections since before he decided to run.
“Since the event we are talking about was a private FUNDRAISER, why not maximize the exposure and effort by allowing credentialed media with cameras to cover the speech”
Here’s a crazy thought… Why not call the campaign and ask them instead of sitting and speculating about why? While you’re contemplating that little chestnut, maybe you can tell me why it took Kline so long to finally step out into public and why Bachmann has refused to meet or speak with anyone other than invited friendly groups or sympathetic rightwing radio? Keep in mind that Franken is NOT an elected representative and is not required to face his constituents. Bachmann is but has been AWOL since she was elected. She can’t even answer email.
June 19th, 2007 at 7:54 am
Commenting that you don’t get to spend enough time talking in depth about issues with potential supporters is NOT whining.
Why? Because you say so?
Most VOTERS want politicians to spend less time spitting out 10 second sound bites and more time giving details. You might understand this if you weren’t part of the dunce brigade that bought the Iraq WMD crap.
Who are these “most voters?” Most voters don’t pay attention until its election season. It’s only us political junkies that pay attention 24/7. You might understand that if you weren’t a dishonest, disingenuous, condescending who soils his monitor every time you select a few isolated factoids to frame a lying argument despite the ocean of evidence crashing the other way.
Franken did know that which is why he has been talking about publicly financed elections since before he decided to run.
Which is why he’s whining about it because he no longer has media companies and Boys & Girls Clubs to fleece for cash.
Here’s a crazy thought… Why not call the campaign and ask them instead of sitting and speculating about why?
What, you actually think they’re going to tell me the truth? Talk about delusional.
While you’re contemplating that little chestnut, maybe you can tell me why it took Kline so long to finally step out into public and why Bachmann has refused to meet or speak with anyone other than invited friendly groups or sympathetic rightwing radio? Keep in mind that Franken is NOT an elected representative and is not required to face his constituents. Bachmann is but has been AWOL since she was elected. She can’t even answer email.
Here we go, changing the subject, another one of your common techniques when you are getting your ass handed to you in a debate.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:35 am
Doug is not an excellent judge of what is “whining” either it seems. *shrug*
June 19th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Oh good god you people are dense.
I bet you’re a real whiz with the ladies.
Commenting that you don’t get to spend enough time talking in depth about issues with potential supporters is NOT whining.
Or it wouldn’t be – if Franken EVERY talked “In depth” about the issues. He doesn’t. He’s a standup comic (sort of) who quips wise (sort of) about things, but he really is an empty, vacuous vessel.
Most VOTERS want politicians to spend less time spitting out 10 second sound bites and more time giving details. You might understand this if you weren’t part of the dunce brigade that bought the Iraq WMD crap.
Like Al Gore?
Franken did know that which is why he has been talking about publicly financed elections since before he decided to run.
Which is saved from being “Al Franken’s Stupidest Idea” only by all of his other ones.
Here’s a crazy thought… Why not call the campaign and ask them instead of sitting and speculating about why?
I’ll do that!
While you’re contemplating that little chestnut, maybe you can tell me why it took Kline so long to finally step out into public and why Bachmann has refused to meet or speak with anyone other than invited friendly groups or sympathetic rightwing radio?
Gosh, Doug, you are dense.
Well, whether you are or not, it’s fun to say, and you kinda opened the door.
(Although in fact on many issues you ARE, decidedly, denser than a collapsed star).
But I digress.
I don’t really care whether Franken allows cameras into his events or not. And frankly, I’d EXPECT him, like any other pol, to try to stay “on message” and play to their strengths.
The point of this post was to point out to the lesser minds of the local Sorosphere – the ones who were giggling that John Kline, combat veteran and former carrier of the nuclear football, was “terrified” of a town hall meeting (in which he answered ALL questions from ALL comers in an audience that was heavily stacked with drooling lefty droogs, as reported by Foot, Ecker and Lady Logician) – that this is what real fear looks like.
Keep in mind that Franken is NOT an elected representative and is not required to face his constituents. Bachmann is but has been AWOL since she was elected. She can’t even answer email.
From you?
If you write email like you write comments, I can hardly blame her.
June 19th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Paul said,
“Why? Because you say so?”
I could ask you the same question Paul. You think it’s whining. I think it’s a narrative device to start the discussion of public funding of elections.
“Most voters don’t pay attention until its election season..”
Most voters don’t pay attention because they’re sick and tired that all they hear are 10 – 30 second sound bites with zero substance and telephone calls begging for money. Most voters don’t pay attention because they feel like they don’t have the dollars it takes to be heard. Most voters don’t pay attention because the entire elections process is driven from the top down – from the national party down through the state and now, as we’re witnessing all the way down to the local and neighborhood level.
As for whining about calling Frankens campaign, grow a set of balls. If you want an answer, pick up the fricken phone.
June 19th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
Mitch said,
“I don’t really care whether Franken allows cameras into his events or not.”
Of course you do otherwise you wouldn’t have a hook for this entire thread. You concluded that Kline’s public town hall meeting was the same as Franken’s private fund raising event.
They’re not the same and yet you challenge Fecke and company to respond to your false assumptions.
June 19th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
They’re not the same and yet you challenge Fecke and company to respond to your false assumptions.
No, I challenge Fecke to respond to challenges to his claim that Kline – a combat veteran and former carrier of The Football – was “terrified” of the press.
Merely splaying the irony out there in all its glory.
June 19th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Mitch said,
“I challenge Fecke to respond to challenges to his claim that Kline – a combat veteran and former carrier of The Football – was “terrified” of the press
Uh huh… I see. So that explains why you wrote…
“So I’m wondering if the local leftyblog peanut gallery has any comment about Al Franken, who barred cameras from his speech in Rochester?”
Makes perfect sense… Pffff.
June 19th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
It didn’t seem that hard a connection to make.
As the sage said, “God, you’re dense”.
I think we’re done here.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
Mitch said,
“It didn’t seem that hard a connection to make.”
Funny. John Kerry drops the “us” from “You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq” and to Mitch, that absolutely must mean Kerry was calling the troops idiots yet he himself can say, “So I’m wondering if the local leftyblog peanut gallery has any comment about Al Franken, who barred cameras from his speech in Rochester?” and it really means, “I challenge Fecke to respond to challenges to his claim that Kline – a combat veteran and former carrier of The Football – was “terrified” of the press.
Splaying the irony out there in all its glory. Indeed.
Even has his little, “I think we’re done here” hissy fit.
It’s ok Mitch. You can take your ball and run along home now.
June 19th, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Dammit!
June 19th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Doug,
Replacing angle brackets with square brackets:
[i] starts italics
[/i] ends italics
Not the other way around.
*beats Doug senseless with his f-ed up HTML tags*
Whew! I feel better now. Carry on.
June 20th, 2007 at 6:14 am
Gee, thanks Overreaction Boy er, I mean Troy.
You’d make a good Nun. Ever consider the convent?
June 20th, 2007 at 7:34 am
absolutely must mean Kerry was calling the troops idiots
The troops pretty universally seemed to think so.
Or are they idiots?
take your ball and run along home
I am home.
You run along and find a coherent point.
For the first time.
June 20th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Mitch said,
“The troops pretty universally seemed to think so.”
Gee. Why would that be Mitch. I mean it wouldn’t have ANYTHING to do with people like you fanning the flames of ignorance would it?
“Or are they idiots?
First of all it was not universal. I know plenty of active duty and veterans who got it and understand the commenrt for what it was.
Second, If they believed that a Kerry, a combat veteran who actually served in the military, served as a prosecutor, served as a Lieutenant Governor, served as a U.S. Senator who chaired committees and to help veterans and active duty servicemen and women, would actually tell them they were idiots, then maybe – yeah – maybe they deserve to have their judgment – if not their intelligence scrutinized.
June 20th, 2007 at 10:58 am
I mean it wouldn’t have ANYTHING to do with people like you fanning the flames of ignorance would it?
Ah. So – the troops are the unwitting pawns of…me? Incapable of forming their own opinions based on their own observations?
Hm.
I know plenty of active duty and veterans who got it and understand the commenrt for what it was
Sure you do.
If they believed that a Kerry, a combat veteran …would actually tell them they were idiots, then maybe – yeah – maybe they deserve to have their judgment – if not their intelligence scrutinized.
Ah. In other words, if they agree with you, they’re OK, otherwise they’re idiots.
Rubbish as always, Doug. Kerry called his “comrades” mass-murderers, thugs, base immoral trash, with gay impunity during the Winter Soldier hearings. Suddenly, thirty years later, he (and his pawns) demand that all the real soldiers just forget the damage he caused?
Sure. Makes perfect sense.
June 20th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Mitch said,
“Ah. So – the troops are the unwitting pawns of…me? Incapable of forming their own opinions based on their own observations?”
unwitting pawns? Strawman Berg strikes again. It’s a wonder to me how anyone can take you seriously when you’re so transparent.
“Ah. In other words, if they agree with you, they’re OK, otherwise they’re idiots.”
No Mitch. There is no “in other words”. I said exactly what I meant. If they believe against all logic that Kerry would call them idiots, then they are clearly mistaking slick marketing and hyperbole for facts.
June 20th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Oh and Mitch,
feel free to provide an example where Kerry “called his “comrades” mass-murderers, thugs, base immoral trash, with gay impunity during the Winter Soldier hearings.”
June 21st, 2007 at 10:26 pm
So Doug. You don’t like nuns? Because…they “overreact”? Hmm…interesting. *writes in notepad*
OK. I think we have made some progress here. However, we’ll have to explore that in later comment sections. *wave*
June 21st, 2007 at 11:37 pm
I didn’t say I didn’t like them. I said you’d make a good one because of your tendency to go corporal over a simple typo.