Media Musings
The Symbiotic Relationship: Editorial Writers and Politicians
When I give speeches I’m often introduced as a newspaper columnist and former journalist. I usually respond by noting that the best description of a columnist or editorial writer is someone who usually stays up in the hills while a battle is raging, but comes down after it’s over to shoot the wounded. There’s a lot of truth to that.
The great thing about being a newspaper editorial writer or columnist (and the same goes for bloggers to some extent) is that you can urge action or oppose action or criticize or praise, but you never have to take any responsibility for doing anything about it. Your job is to lecture, but never execute or take action. And after speaking out on one issue, it’s off to the next topic the very next day.
And consistency isn’t exactly a required characteristic in writing editorials. You can favor higher spending for just about everything, but still demand a balanced budget and fiscal discipline.
Editorial writers live in land of theory and opinion, where they never have to implement the demands and suggestions they make. Believe me, it’s a lot tougher being a politician who has to make decisions with consequences, who has to execute and implement. I’ve been on both sides and being up in the hills observing is a lot easier than being down fighting on the battlefield.
Having said all that, editorials and opinion columns (and blogs to lesser extent) are still very important. Politicians and interest groups do their very best to influence what is published because these writers help set the agenda and they influence public opinion. They provide cover for political action.
Despite new communications channels allowing politicians to bypass the mainstream news media, most politically active citizens still get their news from traditional media. Often all that an average citizen knows about an issue is what he or she reads in the newspaper. So the purveyors of opinion have significant influence with the public.
All in all, the government/news media relationship, while by no means perfect, balances itself out and each side plays its role and the greater good is usually (but not always) accomplished. The relationship is adversarial and arms-length, and that’s the way it should be. Politicians have the power to employ force and coercion to achieve their objectives. Government impacts every facet of our lives. Politicians determine how we live, how fast we drive, and they take away a good share of our money. It’s a good thing we have journalists, however imperfect they are, who spend full-time as watchdogs of government and politicians.
GOED’s Legislative Priorities
Economic development legislative priorities are the main focus of this week’s edition of the EDCUTAH Economic Review. The newsletter outlines the legislative goals of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Jason Perry, executive director of GOED, is spending a lot of time on Capitol Hill, testifying in support of legislation important to Utah economic development. Perry and his staff have been actively tracking numerous bills as they move through the process. The newsletter provides brief descriptions of the bills and legislative activity important to GOED and economic development professionals.
Federal Deficit is Declining
Utah economist Jeff Thredgold’s Tea Leaf Economic Update newsletter this week focuses on the declining federal budget deficit. America spends more than $1 billion DAILY on just the interest on the national debt. But despite profligate spending in Washington, the strong economy is producing enough revenue that the projected deficit for 2007 is expected to be $172 billion, less than 1.3% of GDP. Thredgold says tax cuts have stimulated the economy.
Washington Watch
Hatch: Merger Withdrawal 'Right Decision'
Sen. Orrin Hatch says of US Airways' decision to withdraw its bid to merge with Delta Air Lines: "We can all breathe easier now. This was the right decision, and it couldn't have come sooner. Consolidation with US Airways could have seriously harmed Delta's Salt Lake City hub and hurt Utah's economy" (see press release); Hatch speaks before the Capitol Conference of the National Association of Health Underwriters about President Bush's health plan and health savings accounts (press release).
Matheson Hails Salary Freeze
Rep. Jim Matheson, "who has waged a six-year battle in the House to get an up-or-down vote on the automatic Congressional pay raise," says he welcomes this year's salary freeze: "It sends a message that we're willing to live within our means, just as most Americans do when they balance the family checkbook" (see Matheson press release and related Associated Press story).
Regional Politics
Columnist: West Purple, Not Red
Conservative columnist says of the Democrats' recent electoral success in the West: "What we are actually seeing is that the fundamental 'red-ness' of the Mountain West states has been somewhat overstated. While Ronald Reagan -- a Westerner himself -- performed well here, in 1988 Montana, Colorado, and New Mexico went for Bush 41 but were at-or-below his national vote share. Bill Clinton was able to carry five of the eight Mountain West states at least once. ... While these states are not as socially conservative as other deep south states, they are not particularly moderate, and show no signs of accepting big government liberalism. The fact that the right kind of Democrat can still win here should not send Republicans into a panic" (Human Events).
Wise Words
“The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.”
-- P.J. O'Rourke (Source: Quote Garden)
Blog Watch
Holly Mullen says: "When Elder M. Russell Ballard, member of the LDS Council of the Twelve Apostles, takes a public stand in urging compassion from the state Legislature, will its members listen? ... Ballard, along with Catholic, Protestant, business and political leaders who comprise the Alliance for Unity, sent a statement opposing HB224 to the Mormon-dominated Legislature shortly before it hit the full House for a vote [Tuesday]. The bill would repeal a 2002 law allowing Utah children of undocumented immigrants to attend state colleges and universities on in-state tuition -- provided they have attended a Utah high school for at least three years and have graduated. ... I suppose the most rigid legislators on this issue could argue this isn't an official statement from the church's First Presidency. It's Ballard's opinion, just one man, just one thought. But he is a decent man. He is a man church members look to for guidance and authority, especially in matters of confusion or debate" (for more posts on the Legislature, see Paul Rolly, New West, The Utah Amicus, Part of the Plan, Education in Utah, Davis Didjeridu, Simple Utah Mormon Politics, KVNU's For the People, and Jen's Green Journal).... Utah Taxpayer highlights several "major changes to the state budget since 1990".... Rep. Steve Urquhart notes: "I've been invited to discuss Politicopia at the Personal Democracy Forum Conference. I'll be joining: Thomas Friedman, New York Times Writer/Best-selling Author of The World Is Flat; Arianna Huffington, The Huffington Post; Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia Founder; Seth Godin, Best-selling Author; and Craig Newmark, CraigsList Founder ... I'll also be discussing Politicopia at Freedom-to-Connect. We'll focus the discussion around Prof. Yochai Benkler's The Wealth of Networks, which I took the time to read this weekend and highly recommend. ... I'm just hoping I don't say anything memorably stupid on either occassion".... CBN News' David Brody says: "Mitt Romney needed this. And he got it. Jim Bopp is the general counsel for the National Right to Life Committee and he's endorsing Mitt Romney. ... This is a big deal folks. Let me give you an analogy. It's like if you were competing against a half dozen players to become the starting point guard on your college basketball team (read: President of the United States) and Magic Johnson came out and said 'I want this guy as my starting point guard.' Well, people would take notice. And when you bring Jim Bopp in as your 'Magic Johnson,' you've just dunked in the face of your opponents" (see also The Politico).
Late Night Humor
David Letterman: “Top Surprises In George W. Bush’s State of the Union Address”: Wore a “Hillary in 2008” T-shirt; Vowed to end America’s dependence on foreign films; When he said: “Times are tough. That’s why when I need a little pick-me-up I reach for a Snickers!”; Concluded policy proposal with a rousing “Deal or No Deal?”; For viewers who have HDTV, he was 17 percent Bushier; Showed up late explaining he was watching “American Idol.”
Jay Leno: The Constitution does not specify how long the State of the Union address must be. You know who gave the longest State of the Union address ever? Bill Clinton. You know who gave the shortest? George Washington. It was just a couple of minutes. Well sure, when a politician cannot tell a lie, it limits how much they can say. Clinton could go on for hours. ... The political experts are asking what role Bill Clinton will play in Hillary’s campaign. I’m guessing the cheating husband? ... I guess you heard by now Sen. John Kerry announced he will not run for president, in 2008. He said the time is just not right. You know why it’s not right? It’s an election year. ... John Edwards, who is also running for president, is being criticized because the new house he just moved into is one of the biggest houses in North Carolina. It’s 28,000 square feet on 102 acres. See, Edwards became famous for talking about the two Americas. Now both of them can fit into his backyard. ... Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is now in Iraq. She made a surprise visit. Well, you thought Bush wanted to bomb the place before! ... She didn’t say how long she was staying in Iraq, and President Bush said he was against setting any timetables for Pelosi to return. He said to bring her back prematurely would send the wrong message. (Source: The Federalist Patriot). |
