LTTE/Oregonian Newspaper: Kerry 1,140 ... Bush 74!

[Arugula Latte]

This says a lot!

From The Oregonian (major paper of Portland & state)
Sunday, Oct. 10

"Hot topic: the Presidential election, with 1,267 letters. The total number of letters received -- 2,060 -- broke our all-time record high of 1,419 letters (received the week after the terrorist attacks of 9/11).

Of the 1,267 letters on the presidential campaign, 1,140 supported the Kerry/Edwards ticket, while 74 favored President Bush and 53 letters took neither side."

[Jack_Dawson]

1. 4 digits to 2 digits?

That is a fucking drubbing. They probably printed half and half.

[WI_DEM]

2. at least they published the stats

and endorsed Kerry after endorsing Bush in 2000.

[kaitykaity]

3. I think the public editor said they printed 5-1

but now that the paper has endorsed Kerry, they're going
to print more Bush letters.

:puke:

[sandnsea]

7. Well write another letter

As soon as I find the actual article so I can quote it, I'm going to point out that this is the very editorial thinking that causes people to believe the country is "evenly divided". It obviously isn't, but trying to print LTTE's equally creates an idea that doesn't exist. It's a disservice to their readers.

[kaitykaity]

9. Here's the quote I was talking about.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/public_editor/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1097323439152041.xml

But it will affect letters to the editors and guest opinions chosen for publication. Letters supporting Kerry have been outnumbering those backing Bush by a ratio of more than 5-to-1. But Caldwell says the newspaper will give more weight to publishing opinions in favor of Bush, to counter the editorial endorsement.

[sandnsea]

12. Thank you

I looked for that a little bit ago but couldn't find it. Off to write them a letter now.

How stupid is this:

"In a swing state, he says, the newspaper's editorial writers should be more reflective of the divided community."

Letters are coming in 5 to 1 for Kerry, the editorial writers are all leaning Kerry, is it possible the community isn't evenly divided at all? That the polls are more reflective of WHERE they chose to poll rather than the true views of the people across the state?

Now they're going to try to balance the letters to reflect an evenly divided community, which is only going to perpetuate the notion of an evenly divided community, when it may not even be true.

Aaaargh!

[kaitykaity]

13. These guys are so intimidated by the bogus "liberal media"

charge that they bend over backwards to
be "fair" to the wingnuts.

I did catch this guy one time assert that the
media was liberal. He had written a column about
readers accusing the paper of bias, and he let the
charge slip with no attribution or qualification.

I was surprised when he apologized for the error.

I almost don't hate Lars Larson for calling it the
"daily fish wrap."

[gcomeau]

14. That's just stupid.

They should print them in the same ratio they receive them in. Anything else is artificial bias.

-Grant

[fob]

8. I read that here at DU too. Only the numbers show a 15-1 advantage

to Kerry, NOT 5-1!

And who the hell writes an editorial that doesn't take a side? Apparently at least 53 readers of this paper!

[sandnsea]

4. Holy Cow!

The Oregon Media Trackers have apparently done a bang-up job! Wohoo. I was looking for this after getting an email, I can't find it online. Anybody got a link?

[MissB]

5. I think the Oregonian talked about it today

on their opinion page. You could check oregonlive.com

[olddem43]

6. less than 6% - Hooooo Raaaaay

[Cocoa]

10. Kerry voters more energized

should translate into good turnout numbers.

Bush supporters will be even more demoralized after debate #3.

[samtob]

11. It is the same here, but

the number of letters against the repubs never reflect the vote unfortunately.

This state is ultra conservative, I would venture to guess 80% rep, 17% dem, 3% other.

You would not know that reading the editorials, I think it goes back to the "silent majority" rule.

[sandnsea]

15. Oh please

No state is 80% Republican and if you think yours is you need to get out more. It's that kind of misperception that discourages Dem voters who would vote if they thought they could win. In EVERY state in the union, if Dems vote, Dems win. There's always more of us than them. GOTV.

[requiem99]

16. No state is 80 percent republican. The closest is Utah @ 51R/21D I believe