September 30, 2011
OK. Here's why newspaper editors get white hair.
On Thursday, we were told in the firmest terms that Congresswoman and presidential candidate Michele Bachmann's appearance at the Members Club in Pinehurst was strictly off-limits to media. I thought that was a bunch of crap and let those feelings be known in several phone calls.
The local organizers I unloaded on, including Bob Levy, Moore County Republican chairman, were chagrined and embarrassed about the situation but made it clear that their hands were tied. So we decided not to send anybody. I did drive out there myself after work and managed to snap one painfully blurry picture of Bachmann as she entered, and that's what we put up on the Web.
Then, after 7 p.m., when our paper had already gone to press with a note on the front page saying the Bachmann event was closed, I had an apologetic call from Levy letting me know that the campaign had done a 180 and opened the thing to the press. I phoned staff writer and photographer Hannah Sharpe and asked her to hurry out.
She did so and was able to put together a nice photo and story package — but too late for today's paper. It was not too late for some other media with later deadlines, of course, which made us look like we had gotten beat on our own story.
If there is an upside to this whole sorry and maddening story, it’s this: At this morning’s Bachmann event at the Country Club of North Carolina, which really was closed to the press, the congresswoman’s communications director, Alice Stewart, felt so bad about what had happened to us that she graciously arranged for Hannah to have an exclusive interview with Michele, for which we are eternally grateful.
Stay tuned.
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Comments
geoffcutler 1 year, 7 months ago
So was the original barring of local media a communications glitch, or has anyone from the Bachmann campaign explained yet why local media was barred in the first place?
debsalomon 1 year, 7 months ago
Considering how Congresswoman Bachmann speaks extemp and handles questions maybe barring the media was a smart idea....except for one thing: Hell hath no wrath like a reporter barred. Here's an anecdote you might like: I was a reporter for the Gannett newspaper in Burlington, Vt. when President Clinton spoke at the National Governor's Conference there, hosted by then-governor Howard Dean. Same thing... press coverage of events but no interviews. However, Clinton, Dean and the Democratic poohbahs were booked for lunch at the Oasis Diner, the dem hangout. The diner owner was a friend of mine. He was told to fill the diner with "ordinary folks." He asked me to come, but not to bring a notebook, camera or press ID. The place was sealed down at 10 a.m. Clinton arrived at noon. Reporters from AP, NYT, Time, Newsweek and IV networks swarmed outside. I had a nice conversation with the president (after identifying myself, sort of) but couldn't write anything down, rushed back to the paper and the editor said go for it. So sometimes it's who you know....not necessarily in high places. A short-order cook will do just fine.
Roorke 1 year, 7 months ago
Possibly someone on Congresswoman Bachmann's staff had seen a copy of the ''The Pilot'' somewhere (most likly blowing like a tumble weed down Robbins' main street) and had come to the conclusion that it was some sort of glorified ''Steals and Deals".
Louieland 1 year, 7 months ago
Roorke,
LOL, now that is some funny stuff..."(most likly blowing like a tumble weed down Robbins' main street)"
made me laugh...
geoffcutler 1 year, 7 months ago
Steve, I'm no veteran at this blogging thing but I think the jist is, you write the blog, people respond or ask questions, and then you come back on to be a part of your thread. Could be wrong.... Why did the Bachmann campaign bar and then not bar the local press? Or, do you not know?
DaveyNC 1 year, 7 months ago
Why would you accept at face value that the press was barred? Why not send somebody to the event anyway? Heck, pay the entrance fee.
debsalomon 1 year, 7 months ago
I am thinking that Ms. Bachmann, like most political candidates, repeats the same speech at every fund-raiser, inserting the name of town and organization. Surely she's sharpened her skills since flubbing Elvis's birthplace. Hope she didn't call Pinehurst the birthplace of American baseball. The only "news" will come during a Q&A or open forum. And even those are handled with pat or non-answers. I've heard that BAchmann is "protected" from self-incrimination by a press secretary. So fewer Joe Bidenisms, less squawk tomorrow.
Roorke 1 year, 7 months ago
Surely the people on Congresswoman Bachmann's election staff,she is runing for President of the United States you know, asked if the Moore County area had a NEWSpaper. After reflecting for a bit, Mr. Levy probably said "No". And right he would be.
ztech 1 year, 7 months ago
Ah, the editor hoist on his own petard. After censoring all local candidates during the campaign and refusing to print their letters or columns, It's ironic to see a national candidate apply the same treatment to him. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are not just a one way street.
MonkeyJunction 1 year, 7 months ago
Debacle? Really? You got your feelings hurt and it's a debacle? Really shoddy choice of wording. Can missing the opportunity of taking a picture of a politician really be classified as a "debacle"
Here are the definitions of debacle
So you're saying because you couldn't get your picture ready for Raleigh to print then utter chaos ensued? Guess you missed your TMZ moment
JeremyG 1 year, 7 months ago
Bachmann is a joke anyway. She obviously doesn't understand the concept of factual statements.
Sean 1 year, 7 months ago
Dude, Do you read this paper, or just comment?
JustAnotherNobody 1 year, 7 months ago
Seems to me that I read columnists in the Pilot who rage from the right and columnists who rage from the left. It also seems to me that those All-American fruitcakes who are raging on BOTH extremes can't seem to differentiate between an opinion that comes from the opposite extreme and an opinion that comes from the middle. And that, folks, is one of the biggest problems our country faces today: none of the extremist party hacks even have a clue that the majority of America is in the MIDDLE... it will probably be our downfall.
geoffcutler 1 year, 7 months ago
Mr/Ms. Nobody, I take exception to your misinterpretation of at least my mood when I write about the Obama administration. In most columns, I'm anything but rage filled. Usually laughing.
kenbenway 1 year, 7 months ago
Ah, yes, the 'middle' ... that warm and safe place where one can hide and never have to take a stand on anything important. That place from whence our decade's long descent into Marxism was launched.
JustAnotherNobody 1 year, 7 months ago
In other words, anyone who doesn't agree with each and every word that comes from your mouth has no right to even open their mouth with any opinion? Somehow that doesn't seem to fit with the definition of democracy that I learned in school.
And by the way, if everyone who doesn't agree with you is a Marxist, then that probably means that your preferred form of government would be a theocracy. May God save us from both extremes.
MikeNC 1 year, 7 months ago
I do side with Steve. I have heard it mentioned through out most of Bachmann's campaign via cable networks, that her "people" keep a close reign on her and that she is not in the open very much. Diane
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