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I Attended a Texas County Delegate Convention

Posted by PAUL SILVER in At TMV.
Mar 30th, 2008 | Comments

I participated in one of the largest Texas County delegate conventions and I am mystified by media reports that the gatherings were contentious

No doubt there are examples of conflict and rude behavior but in no way did these exceptions define the overall tone and conduct of the gatherings.

Our Travis County gathering of 8,000 was important enough to attract dozens of speeches by local candidates, elected representatives and included Terry McAuliffe of the Clinton Campaign. State leaders of the Clinton and Obama campaigns participated in our convention. The credentials committees that deal with disputes resolved scores of issues . My particular precinct had 60 delegates: 45 for Obama and 15 for Clinton and we were as warm and accommodating to each other as I can imagine. I saw no fights or loud arguments. It was in fact as cooperative and tame a gathering of passionate adults one can imagine in spite of the jury rigged processes set up to deal with a delegation crowd at least ten times larger than any in recent memory.

I had the opportunity in recent years to be involved in some news worthy issues in my town of Austin. So I could compare what I knew was happening with what was being reported. It was depressing to see how lazy and uncreative the reporters and editors were about trying to convey the truth of the issues. Invariably they opted to over simplify complex issues.

It frustrates me that collaboration and cooperation is just not news worthy. This is why I increasingly tune out Main Stream Media that focuses on breaking news because it is addicted to accentuating the inflammatory and ignoring relevant distinctions.

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vwcat

It is sad how far the press has fallen.
It's all about sensationalism and drama and gossip. This is what has turned our politics even more polarizing than it would have been.
And no matter how much the people complain of this shallow Hollywood style reporting, they do not listen.

vwcat

I'd like to add that this primary season I think has seen the worst coverage ever.
A new low.

Jim_Satterfield

I would hope that you would write a letter to the editor expressing this, Paul.

StockBoySF

Paul, I couldn't agree with you more. It seems to me the media wants to cover what they think will "sell" or bring in viewers, so they give us something "shocking" or controversial, rather than substantive items.

And then we wonder why the best candidates often lose to mediocre candidates who just want to score points by the media so they will win. And then we ask ourselves how we got to where we are... we vow never to do it again, but the next election it's deja vu!

runasim

I think we're up against profit as the motivating factor in what determines news content. When, and if, the public wakes up to realize how they are being manipulated and demand better news product, the media will be forced to comply.

To make that happen, a huge cultural shift would need to take place, much like pushing a boulder up a steep cliff.
I find this all in turns depressing and infuriating. I take solace in the litttle bubbles I see here and there. Today I watched a panedl discuss the topic of forgiveness.
Who would have thought such a topic could be granted precious air time?
Small miracles happen. Whether we're capable of producing large miracles, I'm not so sure.

ChrisWWW

Isn't it generally true that people that are covered by the media always think that coverage is bad?

PaulSilver

Not if they are portrayed favorably.

But even those whose issue is reported unfavorably may have a case that the facts or context were not accurately portrayed.

I have been trying to teach myself to reserve judgment until I have heard from a variety of points of view.

GeorgeSorwell

It was depressing to see how lazy and uncreative the reporters and editors were about trying to convey the truth of the issues.

We're lucky to have you, someone with no need to hype the situation, to report on this.

runasim

I wrote to all the major media outlets about your article.

I only wish more blog writers would pick up the theme. Sensationalism rules the blogoshpere as well, to too high a degree.

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