When you think that the Erwin Record and the Jonesborough paper are also partners with the Sandusky owned Times-News, Hank has a huge hunk of the districts readers on his pen. (He seems to be writing all red to me.)

The fact is I’m guilty of doing the same thing in print – and even here. I have fewer constraints than Hayes has, and still you will find only a passing mention of Sabri and many of the other candidates.

Furthermore, just as candidates can comment here, they can create profiles and “report” their own stories at the Times-News. While these stories are reviewed by the editorial staff, I cannot imagine the Times-News would refuse to publish online unless the “report” contained something highly inappropriate.

However – I do think after Russell started making the rounds, speaking to various county organizations and readers asked for more information, an effort should have been made. For whatever reason, it wasn’t. So, area bloggers (and the Bristol Herald Courier along with WJHL) stepped in to fill the information gap – and that’s all there is to it.

See, I happen to agree Hank can paint the roads whatever color he would like and given the demographics of the area: giving Republicans more ink probably makes good sense because it appeals to a larger group of people.

And I am in no implying that he should be pummeled with a copy of the fairness doctrine. What I am saying is at the same time I support his right to lean, I’m exercising my right to point out in which direction he seems to be leaning and offering space to those he deems unworthy.

And somehow, I think it’ll all balance out in the end.

Go back through some archives of the race between Nathan Vaughn and Bob Miller. I think it was in 2002 or 2003. Those guys both got good coverage from Hank. They were both contenders.

As for the Times-News being a one-sided publication, I haven’t studied it enough to agree or disagree with that. But it isn’t uncommon for publications or even television news programs to be one-sided. Look at the New York Times. They wouldn’t run McCain’s op-ed without revisions. I wholly support their right to make that decision. They aren’t a public entity. Taxpayers don’t support them. It’s their right to do as they wish, just as it is the right of the Times-News. If people don’t like it, they can choose not to support the paper through subscriptions or advertising.

First I have to say that I agree, Kingsport times news and Johnson city press have been very neglectful to both me and Rob concerning the issues our campaign. I like Rob have received invitations from the Bristol Harold Courier, Knoxville Sentinel news, The Greenville Sun, and the Morristown citizen tribune etc.

I was astounded at Hank Hayes bias remarks, “Neither of the Democratic candidates in this 1st Congressional District race have ever called me.” Why should we contact him? He is the reporter who is responsible in covering political events! In addition,
He says, “I don’t think either of them filed a financial disclosure report with the Federal Election Commission. That suggests they have raised no money to run a campaign. And I have seen nothing to suggest that the Tennessee Democratic Party is supporting them. If a candidate is not going to actively raise money, put together an organization and be out there trying to attract attention, do you think they deserve coverage?” He’s the reporter that is to give fair and balance reporting, regardless of campaign contributions! I’ve had a few serious contributors who had looked into my campaign and back out. I guess they felt it was lost cause. After 130 years of Republican tradition I am sure it is hard to break away.

However, there is one comment he did make that is true, “And I have seen nothing to suggest that the Tennessee Democratic Party is supporting them.” I have been in the race now for over three months, and personally, I’ve received no support or backing from the party. No calls for speaking engagements or any other support for my candidacy. It has all been a one-horse show. I’ve spent countless hours answering e-mails, handling all the mail responses, handling all the media coverage events for the campaign, and at the same time trying to muster funding for campaign to no avail. In addition, working 40 plus hours a week in a blue-collar job, and trying to find time for the family has been very stressing to say the least. So, if anyone is wondering why I’ve not attended many of the Democratic Party events in the area, it due largely for lack of time and resources to do so.

Personally, I think that the candidate who receives the big PAC and special interests monies it should be alarming to the people of our district. When David Davis started his re-election bid he had one million dollars cash on hand, in addition he raised another roughly half million dollars, for a job that will only pay him $310,200.00 in his two year term in office! I believe it should take no more funding to run for an office, than to what that office will pay. Otherwise it is just plain immoral and corrupt. In addition, that politician will always act in the behest of the special interests, and NOT to the people he or she is supposed to represent. Believe me, I have seen David Davis’s voting record, and it has not always been to our best interests!

If any one is interested you can visit my website http://www.freewebs.com/michaeldoniheforcongress2008 There you will find where I stand on the issues, my concerns for our district and the nation as a whole. You can also Google me as well by simply typing in my name in parentheses, “Michael Donihe” by doing so you can read articles I’ve written and interviews during the campaign.

The story doesn’t stop there. Although I didn’t reply to Hanks first e-mail, he sent me another, so apparently his face is turning beet-red. The second one is below;

Hello again:

Ask Nathan Vaughn if I cover him regularly.

Ask Nathan Vaughn if I’m fair with him.

I think I know what the answers will be.

But you’ve already connected the dots the way you wanted them to be connected.

There’s a difference between a working candidate and a name on the ballot.

Hank

Of course I sent that on to Rob and here’s his reply;

Susan –

Dang!

Actually, if you look at his recent coverage of Vaughn, he spends more
time talking about Shipley (even in the article that is supposed to be
covering Nathan’s kick-off event) than he does Nathan. But maybe
that’s just my “spin.”…..

So, Demarcationville, we have a lot of bias to overcome. My letters-to-the-editor sometimes get censored or re-worded to make me sound irrational, though most go through as originally worded. I just can’t help but notice, though. It’s only right-wing letters that are awarded stars. HHHMMMMM!!!

Why don’t they just call it the Kingsport Republican Rag?

After I had a nice interview with Tom Humphreys, the Nashville-based political reporter for the Knoxville News-Sentinel, this morning, I had to deal with the illustrious Hank Hayes and his “questions” — the transcript of this morning’s email exchange is below.

Hello:

Please forward these questions to Mr. Russell.

What qualifies you to be a United States congressman?

How much money have you raised for your campaign?

How many volunteers does your campaign have?

Do you have county chairs in all 12 district counties?
Hank

—————————–

Dear Mr. Hayes,

I would be happy to complete a legitimate questionairre concerning my positions on relevant issues, such as the ones that I have completed for VoteSmart, Bristol Herald-Courier, and Knoxville News-Sentinel, and another recently submitted by the Greeneville Sun. The questions below seem to imply that I have to prove the financial worth of my candidacy to the Times-News before you will cover it — no other media outlet in the district, or beyond, has required such proof.

Sincerely,

Rob Russell

—————————

Mr. Russell:

Can you tell me how many yard signs you have distributed throughout the district?

Hank

—————————

Mr. Hayes,

Today I was interviewd by Tom Humphreys of the Knoxville News-Sentinel. This past Tuesday, I had an interview with the Editorial Board of the Bristol Herald-Courier. The amount of signage that I have distributed was not discussed, but campaign financing was, and I was more than happy to speak with them about that topic and answer their questions, since they were clearly interested in finding out my positions on the real issues that are important to voters in this region: the economy, energy, healthcare, and education.

If any other reporter at the Times-News is interested in actually informing area readers about the substance of my campaign, I will be very happy to speak to him or her.

Sincerely,

Rob Russell

——————————————

Mr. Russell:

How many doors have you knocked on in the district?

Hank

——————————————

Lulu (my 8 week old daughter/banshee) is engaged in a scream-fest, and I really can find better uses of my time than continuing to respond to Hayes’ non-questions, so we’ll just let it go at that.

= Rob