Wendy Davis’ Media Fail

[muriel_volestrangler]

From the Texas Observer, via Charles Pierce - both sympathetic to Davis, but they don't like how her campaign handles the media:

The campaign’s mismanagement of the press is damaging Davis' candidacy.

...
When Davis did arrive, she met with reporters for 10 minutes. Sanchez asked the candidate about her statement, at an earlier event in the Valley, that Davis was “pro-life.” This was a predictable question given the campaign’s reluctance to even say the word “abortion.” Sanchez documents what happened next: “(Davis) looked at me and shook her head. But before she could articulate, her new press aide Rebecca Acuña jumped in and said ‘that comment was taken out of context.’”

You almost never see a flack jump in front of their boss like that. Makes the politician look weak. Acuña then called Sanchez later that night and asked her to change a headline on the Monitor’s website.
...
That quote—“set the record straight”—comes from the media advisory about the speech the Davis campaign distributed on Tuesday afternoon. A media advisory is like an invitation. By sending one out, you’re inviting (or in some cases begging) the press to cover your event.

But when reporters arrived at the Four Seasons ballroom, they were turned away. As The Dallas Morning News’ Wayne Slater and the San Antonio Express-News’ David Saleh Rauf reported, event organizers said the room was too full and there wasn’t space for the press. Why wouldn’t they make room for media at an event that featured Cecile Richards, head of Planned Parenthood, and Davis’ response to a controversy attracting national media attention?

http://www.texasobserver.org/wendy-davis-keystone-cops-routine-press/

[Richardo]

1. Yeah, that's not good.

[BlueCaliDem]

2. America's propaganda outlet going on full attack of Wendy Davis.

Her chances of becoming Governor of Texas is getting too uncomfortable for Corporate Big-Wigs, so they send out their attack dogs posing as journalists.

When's the last time we've read or heard anything about her opponent? Where's that in-depth expose of him?

So this is nothing more than a blatant attack on a Democratic candidate to protect the Republican.

If people still want to believe we have a real Fourth Estate, then they're only fooling themselves. We have a network of perfected propaganda outlets wearing the mantel of "4th Estate" that Goebbels would've envied.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. I don't think ignoring critiques of the campaign from people on your side would be a good move

You can't call the Texas Observer (or Charles Pierce) "America's propaganda outlet". As Pierce points out, the Observer was home to Molly Ivins; it has a good reputation as liberal.

"When's the last time we've read or heard anything about her opponent? Where's that in-depth expose of him?"

Well, that in itself may indicate a less-than-stellar press operation from the Democrats.

[BlueCaliDem]

4. It's been anti-Wendy Davis in Texas ALL the time. We never hear about Greg Abbott

unless it's how much more cash he's raised than Wendy Davis. No in-depth expose on his shenanigans that are far more egregious and detrimental to Texans than whether or not Davis has a stellar campaign team (which is a fluff but no less negative piece against her). And that should worry you rather than have you automatically blame Democrats for that "less-than-stellar press operation". You appear to believe that Republicans and Democrats are playing on a level playing field in Texas. Is that so?

You can't call the Texas Observer (or Charles Pierce) "America's propaganda outlet". As Pierce points out, the Observer was home to Molly Ivins; it has a good reputation as liberal.

Actually, I can. The Washington Post and the New York Times were once pretty liberal, too, but...times, they are a-changin' ever since Molly Ivins left us.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Ignoring deficiencies in campaigns hurts them

Romney's campaign should have listened to the people telling them their interpretation of the polls was off, that Romney was seen as an elitist who hated the '47%', and they should have realised they were outclassed in use of data to find potential supporters and voters.

"You appear to believe that Republicans and Democrats are playing on a level playing field in Texas". I don't believe that. Neither does Charles Pierce, since he explicitly pointed out the Democrats are at a disadvantage.

[BlueCaliDem]

6. How kind of that newspaper and reporter to point out the Davis Campaign's deficiencies. And how

cruel and unfair of them not to do the same for the Abbott Campaign.

Yes, ignoring flaws in one's campaign can be detrimental, but this piece is nothing more than just more piling on an already disadvantaged candidate since she's a she and a Democrat in a very macho, very red State.

It's like watching a team member on the mat, ankle hurting but not yet sprained, and you walk up to that team member just as she's about to get to her feet, swipe a foot under her and make her drop again, and then say, "See? Your ankle is weak!"

It's counterproductive, but it's very advantageous for the other team.

[Paladin]

7. Here's how bad it will be if Greg Abbott gets into the Texas governor's office.

Honestly, Abbott will make liberals nostalgic for the good old days of Rick Perry. Imagine somebody with Perry's policies, but with a functioning brain and ruthless outlook with which to implement them. These hypercritical attacks on Wendy Davis' campaign are to be expected from the right wing; the fact that the left is piling on is really bad news. I love Charlie Pierce's work, but he doesn't live in Texas, and he knows that Abbott will be good for untold numbers of full-rant columns.

[Gothmog]

8. I love Wendy but I am not a fan of Matt Angle

Angle is advising Wendy and I am not sure if he is up to the job