UWash journalism prof praises Obama, slams Clinton

[flowomo]

This was picked up by Romenesko today: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45

from: http://www.crosscut.com/2008-election/11938/

(snip)
Here's one reason students Barack the vote: respect
By David Domke

"The Obama, John McCain, Ron Paul, and Mike Huckabee campaigns in Washington and Idaho treated young journalist-bloggers from the UW like pros. The Hillary Clinton campaign couldn't be bothered....

Because the Obama campaign treated us like pros — they called us back within minutes, set up interviews, got us press passes, went out of their way to make the campaign accessible. The Clinton campaign, in contrast, didn’t return a single phone call, didn’t provide press access, and did virtually nothing to encourage our coverage. It was either arrogance or disorganization on the Clinton campaign’s part....

When my students had trouble reaching the Clinton campaign in the run-up to the caucuses, I made a call to her national office. I figured that maybe they’d respond to a UW professor better than a student — which would be an error on their part, but still one that we might use to help our coverage. I told them we were having trouble reaching people — anyone — on the ground in Washington state with the Clinton campaign, and I implored them to make sure my request on behalf of my students for press access to Clinton’s event in Seattle received a response. They assured me I’d hear from them. I emphasized my point a second time. They kindly repeated that I would certainly hear from people on the ground here.

I’m still waiting for that call...."

(snip)

[K Gardner]

1. Think of how important "we" would be in a Hillary Presidency. Scary.

[Cha]

17. Good point that I knew but needs

to be driven in .

[babylonsister]

2. This reminds me of proud2Blib's rant about the Clinton campaign.

They didn't care, it was obvious, and the Obama campaign was front and center, available. People do notice, and I imagine Clinton's campaign might belatedly notice, too.
I so applaud Team Obama for their ground game!

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Thanks for saving me from a reply

:hi:

[moc]

4. The money quote:

The Clinton campaign has made the case that Obama is nothing but rhetoric; he’s supposedly all words, while she’s all action. Our experiences showed us that their campaigns — at least in Seattle — were exactly the opposite. In their treatment of my students, Clinton’s campaign was all talk, while Obama’s was all walk.

[Cha]

18. Perfect example of the Fatness of

Obama's ground game, history, and his words fueling his campaign.

[rinsd]

5. Journalism Professor: Obama called back so we like him.

Gotta love that shining example of objectivity :eyes:

[flowomo]

7. nothing to do with "like" -- it's about responsiveness and respect

As a journalism professor myself, I can relate to his observations. And, as I've posted many times in this forum, I have not decided between Obama/Clinton because we don't vote until April 22.

[rinsd]

13. The respect a subject grants to the journalist should not be a factor in their writing.

Would you agree with that statement?

[high density]

10. Let's say you're going out to buy a car

And you leave messages for two dealerships that both have a similar kind of car to sell you. One of them calls back in five minutes and sets up an appointment with you. The other never returns your call. Which dealership do you "like?"

Somebody at the Clinton campaign dropped the ball here, but that's not surprising given how poorly they have been playing the media game overall.

[rinsd]

12. That's fine for you and me.

But should a journalist cover the politician who takes their calls and spends time with them differently vs the one who doesn't return their calls?

[high density]

19. Yes there's going to be a difference in coverage

Because the Clinton camp is going to get a lot of, "The Clinton campaign did not immediately respond to phone calls for comment on the issue," while the Obama camp gets to voice their opinion on the matter. That's just how it works.

[rinsd]

20. And you advocate that as a jounro prof?

That one should write thru the lense by which the subject treats them?

[high density]

21. No I don't advocate that, nor am I a journalist

But that's just how it works. The people who respond get their opinion in the paper and those that don't get a pithy message saying they didn't respond to the attempts to get an opinion.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[debatepro]

6. That's how you build a ground game...

for the general election.

[high density]

8. Interesting read

I think it goes to show how much the Clinton campaign was banking on Super Tuesday to finish this for them.

[grantcart]

9. Washington/Idaho were never going to count.

[stillcool]

11. does anything?

[FrenchieCat]

14. That's it......

Clinton "talks" about doing the "walk"....which equals only to talking!

Obama "talks" and "walks"....hence his popularity.

[Cha]

16. It's gotta be more of that

disorganization from hilaryland we've been reading about? It can't be pure arrogance of the "why should we be bother" kind that would not have them return calls to journalism students at the UofW?