Comments on: Bill Clinton vs. the Citizen Journalist

By: Hugh

Hugh — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:57:38 +0000

That doesn’t mean I supported any of the presidential candidates over the others

It, of course, doesn’t mean that you didn’t support one of the candidates over the others either. The Richardson posts I am thinking of had less to do with his “shaky” pro-choice stand and more to do with the fact that he as a superdelegate chose to support Obama and not Clinton. There is a difference between not having a preference and having a preference but not stating it. I am concerned that the left side of the blogosphere is taking on aspects of the right side and the traditional media, where our behind the scenes discussions and agendas are OK but theirs are not. Transparency is about letting readers have access not only to the frontpage but also to the back room. It is not that we do not trust you but that we like to verify that trust with facts and an open process.

By: Jane Hamsher

Jane Hamsher — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:37:27 +0000

I guess the lesson we learn here is — we’re all not like you.

By: selise

selise — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:49:06 +0000

appreciate your comment - are you saying that you didn’t have a preference or any bias in the dem presidential primary?

i know i did, even if it sometimed varied from day to day.

one doesn’t have to think that everything is about clinton/obama to think that some things may be affected by how we see (and saw) that race.

i liked this bit from bill moyers this weekend:

Edward R. Murrow told his generation of journalists, no one can eliminate their prejudices. Just recognize them.

By: Jane Hamsher

Jane Hamsher — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:54:55 +0000

My bias is well stated. I’m pro-choice and write about women’s issues. It’s why I went to Connecticut for Ned Lamont, it’s why I oppose Joe Lieberman and the Democrats who put Alito on the Supreme Court, it’s why I fight NARAL, it’s why I raised money for Ciro Rodriguez (and started Blue America) and it’s why I write about sexism in the media and the problem of putting Democrats like Richardson with sketchy pro-choice credentials in positions of power. That doesn’t mean I supported any of the presidential candidates over the others, it means I wanted to urge them all (and the media) to represent the interests of women. I still do.

I realize the blogosphere got dumbed down to the point it could only view things through the lens of “do you support Obama or Clinton” but there is a larger perspective that we will hopefully get back to now that the primary is over.

By: siri

siri — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:56:32 +0000

Superb post, Jane.

By: siri

siri — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:55:55 +0000

The message morphing in response to who the listener is is NOT something I want in my elected officials. Be real, no matter WHO is listening, assume the world is listening, and say what you mean, and mean what you say. That’s how I would like our politicians, ESPECIALLY candidates, to behave. Period.

By: Loo Hoo.

Loo Hoo. — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:32:18 +0000

Good one! Bring on the town hall meetings, folks!

By: SouthernDragon

SouthernDragon — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:24:43 +0000

sugar bombs. you sure got that right. couldn’t stand ‘em.

By: dakine01

dakine01 — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:23:33 +0000

It is not exactly a secret that some of the more prominent posters at fdl trended toward Clinton while a majority of the commenters for reasons similar to mine went for Obama.

It must be wonderful to be a mind reader. I have no idea who Jane supported here as she called BS on all sides of the primary when she saw a campaign (or the media) saying and doing stupid things.

I know who Christy and Dave Neiwert and some of the others supported only because they specified in comment threads once or twice. But they also ALL managed to call BS on the candidate they supported AND the other campaigns when warranted.

Calling out misogyny and racism on all sides does not a “trend” make.

By: bluejeansntshirt

bluejeansntshirt — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 17:21:30 +0000

Chocolate frosted sugar bombs. MMMmmmm.