I have met more than a few journalists here in NH over the decade that GraniteGrok has been open. Pretty much, I can think of, perhaps, only three that I would not categorize as “Democrats with bylines” and this is the major reason why – they refused to carry water for either the Left or Right. The rest? Confirm our stereotype of them (emphasis mine):
Instapundit blogger Glenn Reynolds’ characterization of reporters as ‘Democratic operatives with bylines’ is taking root in the American mind. Among independents, according to Gallup in September, the media had an approval rating of 30 percent; among Republicans 14. Almost everyone but Democrats think the media are biased, and support for that view goes way back. . . . This fall WikiLeaks confirmed everything conservatives have been saying about the media for more than 20 years. CNN, you have been busted. You allowed Democratic Party operative Donna Brazile to get hold of town-hall questions in advance and help Hillary Clinton prep with them. . . . John Harwood, New York Times/CNBC reporter and Republican debate moderator, you have been busted. You asked John Podesta, Clinton’s campaign chair, for questions you could pose to Jeb Bush in an interview.
Dana Milbank, Washington Post columnist and longtime phony “nonpartisan” political reporter, you have been busted. You reached out to DNC flack Eric Walker and asked for help putting together a “Passover-themed 10 plagues of Trump” story.
Not only are you evidently an undercover Democratic Party operative who should be drawing checks from the DNC instead of from The WaPo, you’re a tired hack who can’t even come up with his own column ideas without assistance.
I’ve written enough anti-MSM posts to make my point but even now, most of the NH journalist corps turn up their noses when the ‘Grok arrives on scene. We conservatarian bloggers just aren’t allowed to be part of the “cool clique” and good thing, too! We stand linked arm in arm with Groucho and his outlook on membership.
One would think that they would have learned SOMETHING after this election but “Noooooo!” I don’t think so. Sure, the Dems may do a post-election autopsy that will hold up as well as the GOP one (which is to say, walking through the motions) but the MSM doing the same? Hahahahahahaha! Yes, there will be some, like the above, that “gets it” and says something but most will just look down their noses and go “Pfft!” and not get it even as they are being smacked down by cataclysmic subscription and stock price drops. In this, they are like politicians that will do ANYTHING to avoid the real reasons why they are despised. Trust me – I watch most of the Sunday shows and it is CLEAR that the majority of the folks on them see their performance as a time to sneer.
It really comes down to this – be honest (which you aren’t). Do the actual reporting – who, what, when, why, and how. Be objective – write and say it straight and don’t put in the Left nuance and condescending. Don’t use your platform for political advocacy. We’ll know the difference and you might win some of us back.
Maybe. But I’m not holding my breath mostly because it would be a fool’s bet.
(H/T: Instapundit)
