Post's coverage of Kucinich focuses on nothing but eating habits

[laura888]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17261-2003Nov8.html

I was outraged by this article from the today's Style section, in which they reduced coverage of this candidate to his eating habits.


<snip>
"Kucinich's Salad Days-

...He walks into his favorite Capitol Hill restaurant -- Taverna the Greek Islands -- and orders the beans..."

</snip>

I am firing off a letter to the editor - please feel free to let me know your comments/additions. Or better yet, write your own letter.
Here's my letter so far:

http://www.schoppa.addr.com/letters/11_9.txt

[snoochie]

1. Thanks for the notice!

We Kucitizens need to be vocal with editors, journalists, etc.

Will read the article and send my letter, too!

:)

[RichM]

2. In a way, it's a kind of compliment. They're scared to discuss his ideas,

in any remotely honest way. And they have reason to be.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. It was a Foodie article

It was in the Post's Food section.

I'm not so sure it was derogatory. However, DK gets too little serious press in general.

--bkl

[JNelson6563]

4. I like Kucinich

and think he is going to accomplish great things before he is done.

Julie

[foo_bar]

5. what, destroy the One Ring?

[foo_bar]

11. I'm not the only one

Kucinich looks (and kind of talks) like gollum from LotR. "A vote for kucinich...yes... is a vote for precioussss.. yesssss!"
http://www3.thirdfloorup.com:8080/archives/000043.html

[maha]

19. Oooo, that's nasty.

Do you remember a miniseries in which Martin Short played some kind of gnome? I'm not sure which one it was. But that's a much better resemblance to DK, I think.

[DoctorMyEyes]

6. A Must Read from FAIR

If you haven't already read Jacqueline Bacon's September/October article "Weeding the Field", I really, really recommend it - a *must read*!

This is not only happening to DK (although he is one of the most abused), but to all the Democratic candidates.

Even here on DU where most of us should know better, you'll see scores of threads every day that reflect how easily we're letting the media lead us around by our noses, debating nothing of substance.

<snip>
Press tries to determine who should and shouldn't run for president

By Jacqueline Bacon
Ten years ago, political science professor Thomas Patterson argued in his book Out of Order that the "road to nomination" for potential U.S. presidential candidates "now runs through the newsrooms." In particular, he asserted, "the press performs the party's traditional role of screening potential nominees for the presidency--deciding which ones are worthy of serious consideration by the electorate and which ones can be dismissed as also-rans." In addition, he proposed, journalists choose a "prevailing story line" around which news about candidates is framed.

Patterson's observations aptly describe current media coverage of the nine Democratic candidates for their party's nomination. Some, the media declare, are valid contenders; others are ineffective has-beens or laughable distractions. In addition, they adopt a "prevailing story line" suggesting that even the presumably "serious" Democratic contenders pose no real threat to Bush's reelection. </snip>

http://www.fair.org/extra/0309/democrats.html

Please, if you will, read the entire article.

[laura888]

12. bingo - we have a winner!

"the 'road to nomination' for potential U.S. presidential candidates 'now runs through the newsrooms.'"

This is what upsets me the most.

[CWebster]

7. You have to expect this

It is all part of the game. These are the human interest angles.

[Padraig18]

8. I thought the article was actually sympathetic.

Lots of good quotes, etc., regarding why he is a vegan, etc.. :hi:

[neebob]

9. I think the lines about the kidney beans

being more realistic and landing Cleveland in financial ruin are far more offensive than the article focusing on what he eats. It's not about that at all, so what's it doing in the food section? You're right, it's offensive.

Honestly, though, I think DK brings a lot of this on himself with the way he comes off speaking in public, with the yelling and the airy-fairy new-agey stuff he can't seem to resist throwing in. If he would speak like he writes, he'd be taken more seriously.

Here's me, point-for-point with Kucinich and about as non-military as anybody can get, watching Wesley Clark and feeling inspired. I believe him - more than I believe other candidates to whom I'm a lot closer ideologically.

I believe Kucinich, too - perhaps more than I believe Clark - but I don't think other people will. And the Evil War Chimp will take him apart. That's really sad and wrong and everything, but I have to go with the candidate I can see doing the spanking.

[maha]

10. Clue: It's the Style Section

Not the politics or editorial section.

If you complain to the Post you will only look like a Schmuck.

[laura888]

13. disagree - just the placement in the Style section was offensive

because he has had so little coverage anywhere else in this rag.

If your candidate was only covered in the Style section, wouldn't you be disturbed?

The Post has the ability to treat this guy seriously, but choses not to. Hence, millions of readers won't treat Kucinich seriously either.

[diamondsoul]

15. I disagree about the placement as well,

here's why-

You're right about the lack of coverage elsewhere, BUT the style section is read by people who have a real interest in living healthy. It's also read by people who probably wouldn't notice Kucinich in other sections of the paper. They'd sweep right past him because he wouldn't connect with them right off. This way he gets seen by a segment of the population that might not give him the time of day just on the issues.

[neebob]

16. Good point. nt

[maha]

18. If you want to complain

... about lack of editorial coverage, then complain about lack of editorial coverage. To complain about an article in the style section because it doesn't talk about issues makes you look like a Schmuck.

I hope the clarification helps.

[laura888]

20. so I'll look like a schmuck...

...big deal.

But your comment has some merit.

[diamondsoul]

14. Stunningly enough- I liked it!

Seriously, it shows the more personal side of Kucinich which has caught people's interest since he announced his bachelor status to the world at the Women's Issues forum. People are genuinely curious about him because he's unusual.

Granted I wasn't pleased the the reference to Cleveland "landing in financial ruin" but overall it was a pretty good piece. It's the sort of article that will appeal to people who just can't get enthused about politics, but can get enthused about a man with high principles and healthy lifestyle.

[blm]

17. It's focking sad that the press marginalizes every candidate

other than their chosen ones. Dennis is a serious lawmaker with serious ideas. The candidates who express the greatest threat to the status quo will always get marginalized.

I recall Jerry Brown was never pushed by the media for any ideas but for his fight against Clinton. The press liked it.

[Eric J in MN]

21. how about writing a nice letter to nudge them

Instead of telling them you're offended, try something like this:

While I enjoyed your article on Dennis Kucinich's dietary philosophy, I would like to see more about his ideas on ending mandatory minimums, creating a Department of Peace...

(or whatever aspect of Kucinich you do want to see covered.)