CBS - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards won't participate in a debate co-hosted by Fox News and the Nevada Democratic Party, his campaign said, as party officials tried to settle a dustup over their partnership with the cable network. Edwards' campaign said the involvement of Fox News, which is often accused by liberals of having a conservative bias, was part of the decision to pass on the Aug. 14 debate in Reno. . . The two Democratic presidential frontrunners, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama, have not indicated whether they will attend the Nevada debate. . . Move On Civic Action says it has collected more than 260,000 signatures on a petition that calls the cable network a "mouthpiece for the Republican Party, not a legitimate news channel.". . . Democratic Party officials and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid initially touted the partnership with Fox News as an opportunity to reach out to a different bloc of voters.
But in a letter posted Wednesday on the party's Web site, Democratic Party Chairman Tom Collins said Reid now shares activists' concerns and "has asked us to take another look." Collins said the party would invite a "local progressive voice" to participate on the debate panel, which also would include a reporter from a local Fox affiliate, a national Fox News reporter and the moderator.
SAM SMITH - The Edwards reaction, apparently motivated in part by the self-righteous lot at Move On, demonstrates one of the reasons the Democrats don't do better. You can't win a fight if you refuse to get in the ring. As one of the few who has appeared on Pacifica, NPR and the Bill O'Reilly Show, your editor learned that long ago. Admittedly, you've got to know your moves, among which I would include these:
- Keep smiling. The right-wing hosts want to get you mad. Just don't. It throws them off their pace.
- Find something they can agree on or something you have in common. Before my appearance on the O'Reilly Factor, I mentioned to the host that my granddaughter was growing up about 20 miles from his hometown on Long Island. He immediately become friendlier. In the 1990s, I was worried about a book related appearance on a Idaho radio station in the heart of Mark Fuhrman country. Then in his introduction, the host mentioned that I was a supporter of jury nullification, an issue that has fans on both the left and the right. When I heard that, I knew I was home free. Just one sentence in the book had saved me from being stereotyped. The interview, originally scheduled for 20 minutes, went on for an hour.
- Help people move from their pet issues to others they haven't thought much about. I once did a talk show in Michigan militia territory. I used some lines about gays not being the ones who take your pensions and feminists not shortchanging your health care. Some guy calls in and says, "You know this fellow from Washington has a point. We have to stop worrying so much about those gays and women and worry more about the corporations." It taught me not to give up on people.
Part of the problem is that many on the left and the right approach the other side as solders against an enemy or lawyers in a trial rather than as teachers or organizers. Its not a good approach because if you can't change the hearts and minds of some of those watching on Fox, you're probably going to lose the race. Put a smile on your face, some facts in your mouth and give it a try.
4 comments:
That all sounds like really good advice, Sam, but you've got to remember who you're talking to. If I was Edwards with that weak, moderate, vanilla platform I wouldn't have much heart for a fight, either. You can't expect him to act like a winner when winning just means a slight improvement and a new smile on the same old institutions.
"In the 1990s, I was worried about a book related appearance on a Idaho radio station in the heart of Mark Fuhrman country."
I suspect that Mark Fuhrman has a lot more class than Edwards, Kerry or Clinton. At least he faces his enemies and stands up to his critics and takes on good fight, instead of running like a wuss, like Edwards did.
Mark lives in a modest log cabin about 1700 square foot, Edwards lives in a mansion with about 17000 square foot. Mark lives on 2 acres of land and Edwards lives on 200 acres of land. Mark takes a commercial jet and Edwards takes a private one. Mark is a health nut and Edwards eats meat. I could go on and on. Looks to me like Mark leaves less of a carbon foot print than Edwards....who is the hypocrite here? I think I'd like to be in Mark Fuhrman country. Lady Lisa
Mark Fuhrman is a racist, Edwards is not.
Sam, I have to disagree with you on Edwards again. I think he's doing the right thing here. I'd like to see all responsible, serious officials stay away from Fox Propaganda, no matter the forum. The less people appear at FNC events or respond to FNC reporters, the more likely it is that Fox will dry up, and in desperate attempts to regain ratings points, Hannity and colmes will interview live nude bimbos like Howard Stern does. THAT would be the most journalism you'll ever see coming from that network.
Part of the problem is that many on the left and the right approach the other side as solders against an enemy or lawyers in a trial rather than as teachers or organizers.
Well said, Sam, but I'd liken them to priests against the devil--there's all too often an element of received-Truth fanaticism about it all that's not usually seen in either soldiers or lawyers.
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