Odd story about Dean in WV tonight. Why would it be closed to media?

[madfloridian]

I see the reason in the article, but it does not make sense. Sounds like it was about the mine disaster, but I can not see why that would cause the DNC to not allow the media. Looks like Governor Manchin and he did hold a brief conference before hand at bequest of Manchin.

This is just confusing to me. From a post in the WV forum, it sounds like things went well. It was Dean's 3rd attempt to get to WV, but he did make it this time. Confusing.

http://www.theintelligencer.net/news/story/0111202006_newdean.asp

It took three attempts for him to get to West Virginia, but National Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean spoke at a Democratic "unity rally" in downtown Charleston Tuesday night. Speaking briefly with media prior to the rally at the Marriott Hotel, Dean stood alongside West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin the night before Manchin's State of the State address. Dean made it clear that inspiring unity and clarifyingthe Democratic message was his reason for coming to the Mountain State.

"West Virginia is a heavy Democratic state," Dean said. "It's also a state we want to start voting for Democrats in presidential elections.

"They will if we start standing up for the things we believe in."

On Monday, the DNC had released a statement explaining that Dean's visit would be closed to the media in light of last week's Sago mine disaster in Tallmansville, W.Va.

Among those at the mine site was Manchin, who on Tuesday questioned the DNC's decision and encouraged Dean to speak to the media."

("Dean's prior attempts to visit West Virginia were halted by bad weather and mechanical problems with the plane on which he was flying.")

I know he usually has local press or TV interviews when he travels. I just don't why the DNC would close it this time.

[napi21]

1. My guess is that he doesn't want to politicize a tragedy.

I have no idea what he might have said at this rally, but you and I know the media would have accused him of politicizing the mine tragedy for political gain. That would be my guess.

[madfloridian]

2. I thought of that. The way they twist things around.

I am sure someone would twisted.

[radio4progressives]

3. that's exactly the reason.. seems pretty obvious ?

:shrug:

why would he want the corporate MSM to twist and distort what he's doing there?

[madfloridian]

4. But it sort of makes sense, but sort of does not.

He was going to raise money with a rally and dinner. Are you saying they were afraid the media would see it as using the tragedy? Still kind of odd, really.

[Rose Siding]

5. I think it's out of respect

Remember after Katrina, he suspended all fundraising. I think this is along the same lines and it seems like a good idea.

[madfloridian]

9. Now that I think about it, probably right thing to do.

It just sounded odd at first, but it does follow the lines of the Katrina fundraising suspension.

[RagingInMiami]

6. I think that's the best way to gain the WV voters trust

They've had enough media in the last week as it is. And you know the reporters would automatically try to get him to comment on the tragedy. And knowing how outspoken he is, he might just end up putting his foot in his mouth.

I think it was a very wise strategy because the whole point is to win WV voters, not to show the rest of the country that he's in WV.

[snowbear]

7. I agree w/the others.. Sounds classy of Dean and Manchin..

But then, they are both very respectable Democrats!

My guess is also that they kept it quiet out of respect for the families and the community.

[madfloridian]

8. 2nd article and picture. Sort of pre-empting criticism, I guess.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/Today/2006011023

"Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean was the headliner at a public rally for West Virginia Democrats on Tuesday, his first visit to the state since becoming chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Signs for “Byrd West Virginia” and “Democrats United” waved in the crowd, as Dean rallied the party faithful to gear up for this year’s congressional campaigns, and beyond.

“We think the people of West Virginia will vote for a Democratic president,” Dean predicted, saying that despite voting twice for President George W. Bush, West Virginia is already a “blue state” in its governor, legislature, U.S. senators and U.S. representatives."

And it was to keep people from thinking he was using the mine tragedy, but it just made the Republicans furious....damned if you do, more so if you don't. Almost funny, if not so sad about the GOP anger and hatred.

West Virginians almost didn’t get to hear any of Dean’s remarks. Late Monday, the Democratic National Committee announced the event would be closed to the media out of respect for the victims at the Sago Mine. That set off a firestorm, with Republicans contending Democrats were trying to hide the sometimes controversial former Vermont governor from the news media. (LOL...sorry, but so weird.)

“First of all, I thought it was very wise on their part to sequester him because he does not represent the views of most West Virginians,” said Rob Capehart, state Republican Party Executive Committee chairman.

Nick Casey, state Democratic chairman, said national leaders at the DNC requested no media availability because many state residents remain in mourning for the 12 killed miners. “Governor Dean requested it be closed to the media,” he said.

Casey said he and others prevailed in arguing the fundraising event — coming one day before Manchin’s State of the State address — should be open to the public and the media.

Dean and Governor Manchin

[madfloridian]

10. "Republicans contending Democrats were trying to hide.." him

from the media. What have we come to in this country. I almost want to laugh at that. First Bush warns him and other Democrats not to criticize, then Scottie McClellan calls him out by name.

They have our Democrats afraid to sympathize or go the site because they might be politicizing. We have a very strange country now.

[madfloridian]

11. He met with union leaders during the day. Had a successful rally...

"Dean spent the day in West Virginia meeting with union leaders and others before speaking first at a fundraiser at the Charleston Civic Center, and then at the rally at the Charleston Marriott, said Tom Vogel, executive director of the state Democratic Executive Committee.

The Civic Center event raised a little more than $30,000 from about 125 people, Vogel said."

[GrpCaptMandrake]

12. I was there. So was the media

I saw no less than three cameramen from the local TV stations. The wrinkle might lie in the fact that Gov. Joe asked for a moment of silence for the victims of Sago #1 (which I've taken to calling Katrina #2). Don't think there were any cameras there for that.

B-T-W, Governor Dean delivered a stirring speech. Nothing in it that anybody in WV couldn't agree with. Robin Capehart is a shit-weasel.

Sorry. I try to refrain from the vulgarity, but Capehart really is all that and a bag of (cow) chips.

[madfloridian]

13. LOL....feel free. Some vulgarity is permitted and welcomed.

After all this GOP group has done to us...vulgarity is not surprising. Glad you got to go.

[anitar1]

14. While reading this thread, I could feel the potty mouth

words wanting to burst out. This bunch or GOP crooks bring out every expletive I can think of. Sadly, there is no satisfaction for me when I do that.It all makes the blood pressure rise.

[madfloridian]

15. On the road again...by Fred at the DNC blog.

This tells about Dean's meeting with union leaders, a couple of pics, and then on the California and Colorado.

http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/01/on_the_road_aga_1.php

"The Gov and I began 2006 just the way we ended 2005: traveling across the country talking about our 50-state strategy, energizing local democrats and meeting with local elected officials, candidates and interest groups.

We just kicked off a four-day trip encompassing West Virginia, California and Colorado and are currently - and literally - in the middle of it. I’m typing this from O’Hare in Chicago waiting for a connecting flight.

Last night proved the third time was a charm for West Virginia. The Gov has tried twice before to get to Charleston, but has been stymied by bad weather and airport delays. Speaking of airports, have you ever landed at Charleston? The airport is built on top of a hill and literally comes out of nowhere when you’re coming in for a landing. The plane we were on approached the runway and then landed with such a thud that several overhead bins popped open and passengers were jostled left and right. Very quickly after the touchdown, the plane hooked left and turned towards the gate.

We met with state labor leaders in the afternoon and attended state party events in the evening. The West Virginia legislature kicks off its session today so the night before is a traditional unity rally with all of the local electeds. And if you’re looking for an up and comer, take a good look at Governor Joe Manchin. He’s getting high marks in the state for his policies and many people remarked to me how he handled the Sago Mine tragedy with grace and strong leadership."