The Globe's Patrick Administration Shocker!

Pardon me for not reading the Globe before 4pm today, but let's just say I wasn't missing much. Their piece on Patrick today was a real stretch. Let's break it down:

First, we have the picture on top, featuring a more-than-content Governor and Lt. Governor, linked together in happy embrace.

Then, continuing with that meme, the Globe wrote about how the administration was raising money from sources that supporters wouldn't exactly approve of, keeping the link well established.

Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray have raised more than $1.4 million in combined campaign contributions since taking office, much of it by aggressively soliciting the same special interest groups that, as candidates last year, the Democrats denounced as wielding too much influence on Beacon Hill.

However, the Globe quickly went from questioning the entire administration into delving into how Lt. Governor Murray tapped Robert Platt, traditionally a Republican fundraiser, as one of his main fundraising gurus. Link severed:

Murray, Patrick's fellow Democrat, has been just as aggressive, raising $650,000 in the same span, an uncommonly large haul for a lieutenant governor. His fund-raising has come with an added twist: He has turned to Robert M. Platt, a State House lobbyist and Republican fund-raiser, for help building a campaign finance network. Platt worked against Patrick last year and supported his opponent, Republican Kerry Healey. And this year he is supporting Republican former governor Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

That, in effect, was the story. This article wasn't really about the Patrick-Murray administration at all; it was grasping for straws about the Lt. Governor's relationship with Platt. Pardon me for perhaps sounding a bit like a conspiracy theorist here, but would this article merit front-page, above-the-fold treatment if the Globe stuck to the actual story?

No. Murray engaged in what Frank Phillips viewed as sleazy fundraising, but it was perfectly legal and legitimate. That's just not front-page news. Thus, we hear about how Patrick raised over a million dollars since taking office, "much of it" (a number never defined by the Globe) from "the same special interest groups that, as candidates last year, the Democrats denounced as wielding too much influence on Beacon Hill." Riiiight.

Uncareful readers may read how Governor Patrick raised 1.4 million since taking office and think it all from unsavory sources, but that's just not the case. The only number the Globe really does define is $60,000 - from a Murray fundraiser, some of which (though, again, the Globe doesn't give readers any answers) coming from Clear Channel. That's helpful. /sarcasm off

Maybe if Murray was somehow breaking the law, that story would sell. However, what he is doing is legal and, honestly, not exactly unexpected. There just isn't much of a story there. Hence, the Globe linked it to Patrick and turned it into an entire-administration thing, even though the bulk of their story - at least the bulk which readers would, you know, read - had almost nothing to do with Patrick.

In other words, this is pretty much a nothing story that the Globe went to great lengths to turn into something. It's not exactly awe-inspiring journalism. One of the biggest problems with today's journalism is if the story isn't there, papers and stations will do anything they can to package whatever scandal exists into front page news. Obviously, papers like scandals, but they also don't like to waste time and resources. However, in the long run, the costs against credibility with Frank-Phillips style journalism will hurt profit margins far more than some extra staff, or giving reporters either the time to craft their stories or the leeway to decide against printing something when there's nothing there.

In the end, today's report on the Patrick Administration was likely worthy of two back-page stories. The first being the Patrick Administration's take: of course, the Globe should examine who gave what and when and report it, even if there isn't much there. However, unless there's something glaring out at readers in the piece (such as breaking the law), that kind of article is never going to be an above-the-fold, front-page piece when it isn't campaign season. The second story was Platt's relationship with Murray, but since Murray hasn't actually done anything wrong, it's a tough sell to put it on the front page. Linking the two stories together and selling it as a front-page scandal, however, not only is an example of bad journalism, it also merits the Ryan's Take's "fake news" tag.

Hold the Presses! Patrick Does Something Outside Mass

I will admit to giggling while reading this article.

In his first venture into the national political scene, Governor Deval Patrick has agreed to appear at a televised presidential debate tomorrow night to introduce the eight Democratic candidates.

Patrick, just six months in office, will take center stage at Howard University in Washington, D.C., to spend close to five minutes on prime time to give some brief remarks and then present each of the eight candidates.

Okay, we're good so far... this is news worthy, interesting... so, I wonder what the next sentence is going to be?

His prominent role is clearly a signal that he and his political advisers want to make an initial step into the bigger world of national politics, capitalizing on the attention he has already received as the nation's only African-American governor.

Alert, Alert, Alert... the Shark has officially been jumped. "Clearly?" Stepping into the bigger world?

Massachusetts... Just because we have a politician who actually does something outside our great Commonwealth, it doesn't mean he's jumping into the horse race. Deval Patrick is not running for President and won't be for a very long time (if ever). Personally, I hope he'll have great success in this state - something he's cementing with his actions and goals already - but we're talking at least 2012, and if we make it to that point, he's given his due.

We don't need to take Patrick on the national stage and turn that into something more than it already is. Patrick isn't exactly new to the rest of the 49 states, given his previous position in President Clinton's administration. He's just been rediscovered. He has an important progressive vision that should be pushed across the country. It's nice to see a Governor who actually has the courage to stand for his convictions; the three current Presidential Candidates have something to learn from him. Furthermore, given the environment the debate will be taking place in, it makes perfect sense for the nation's only African American governor to be able to talk - and hopefully inspire - people for a few minutes.

The Globe's Crossing the Streams

Because I love sexy quotes and will write a blog when I think of a nice, witty line, I think Lynne's right - the Globe is really reaching with today's story, wondering whether Patrick has become too close to big business. As Lynne notes, their usual M-O, often expressed through Michael "I get to be quoted in the Boston Globe almost every day" Widmer, is that Patrick is going to destroy big business and make them flee from Massachusetts in terror by undoing some of the most flagrant Corporate Tax Loopholes. But wait, today we learn he's way too close to those Big Businesses. Well, which is it?

Today's Blogo-outrage is a reaction to the Globe's Crossing the Stream. Bad things happen when the Stream is Crossed. Today's bad thing? The Globe lost respectability. They lost respectability with readers, with bloggers, with readers of bloggers and - I'd imagine - with anyone who seriously values good journalism. Respectability at the Globe seems to be fleeing Massachusetts in terror by the paper constantly undoing whatever credibility the Paper of Record once had. They've simply crossed that stream too often before.

What I don't understand is this: Is Frank Phillips the Key Master or the Gate Keeper? And who are the trolls who actually buy this crap?

DiMasi's Here - For Now

The big buzz today seemed to be about Speaker DiMasi. Frank Phillips sort of left a bombshell at the end of his article on an alleged consultant scandal that suggested Speaker DiMasi could be on his way out. Here's the quote in question:

As speculation mounts over DiMasi's future, Rogers has been laying the groundwork for what many on Beacon Hill believe will be a succession fight . His major rival is Representative Ronald Mariano, a Quincy Democrat.

Rest assured, Speaker DiMasi's here for now. I sent an email to Phillips to follow up on that point and Phillips said there was "no evidence that DiMasi is actively looking to leave." What Phillips meant was that no one sticks in office forever and the struggle to be the next Speaker has already begun, regardless of when DiMasi leaves. Of course, he's right, although that sentence certainly made for some interesting speculation.

Liveblogging the ConCon

I'm going to be out in the trenches today, liveblogging the amendment at the State House. How I'll do it is every few hours, I'm going to blog any big news I hear. Complete with my stinky digital camera, old fashioned (read: analogue) recorder and almost no sleep last night - I'm going to remember the days when I was a suedo-journalist working for my college paper - and comeback with a good story. If I get good quotes, look for them on LeftAhead.

For now, read my big post for the day. Let's hope our state legislature can do us proud and make sure honor and hope remain in the Commonwealth's Constitution.

As for the big news of the day, the Boston Globe had a few articles. I'm skipping to page 2 of Frank Phillips's big piece for the fun quotes (read: crazy).

Reilly, of the Massachusetts Family Institute, acknowledged that her group is up against a formidable array of Beacon Hill power brokers seeking to kill the proposal, but said that the optimism of gay marriage advocates may be unfounded.

"Rumors are spreading all over the place. I don't think anybody knows for sure, but we are feeling confident," Reilly said when asked if the votes opposing same-sex marriage were holding in face of the pressure. "Remember, Goliath was slain."

Suddenly the very small minority (glbt people) have become "Goliath," while Team Homophobia - which has passed marriage amendments in most states throughout the country - are laughably the Davids. Only, this David has a 25% threshold to defeat... which is kind of like gloating after beating a 5'8" Goliath. Notice how Reilly wants to figuratively "slay" us. Interesting use of vocabulary and metaphor.

Alright, it's 7am. People are already gathering there. I best be going. Let's all hope today is a very good day. More posts to come.

Joel's Right, Frank Phillips is Wrong

Whoever would have guessed that? Joel Patterson, with a front-paged diary over at Blue Mass Group, is sick of the he-said-she-said stories. I say damn straight.

Frank Phillips, you can do better.

Mass Lib has more.

An Open Letter to Deval Patrick

Dear Governor Patrick,

So far, the dynamics of your administration has reminded me of the Superman/Clark Kent relationship. Superman was, well, super - while Clark Kent was purposefully clumsy and wasn't anything special. During your brief tenure as Governor, you've pushed some bold new policies for this state and seem to want to overhaul the way government works. Your ideas are great, forward-thinking and we desperately need to get them passed. However, there have been personal blunders that - fairly or not - has set off a media frenzy: there are hungry sharks in bloody water.

That's precisely why, from here on out, you have to be more Superman than Clark Kent. That means you have to be The Governor all the time; that means no more phone calls on behalf of your friends, even when you aren't doing it from the purview of your office. Don't get me wrong, I think it's ridiculous that you had to pay for new office furniture, drapes and the difference between the car you're driving now and what Mitt Romney drove then, especially given the fact that he was travelling across the country running for President in part using taxpayer's expenses. The media loves to be hypocritical when it comes to reporting on Democrats and Republicans, we both have known that for a long time. I agree with you when I think these are largely distracting, media-driven stories that ignore the important things going on. However, it's precisely because of those reasons that we can't keep having these Clark Kent moments while you're in office.

I promise to help pass some of these bold new initiatives, which I think in large part are a great idea, with all the might of my web site. That's not saying much, but there are thousands of people out there who agree and will do the same. That's why we can win. Your policies are important and I know I'm just as much a part of your campaign for a better Massachusetts as you. I believe you were genuine when you said that on the campaign trail and I believe you still mean it now.

You're going to be a very good Governor and we're going to get great things accomplished over the next 4 (and hopefully 8) years. However, we'll be able to accomplish far more if we don't have to read any of Frank Phillip's trash stories in the media that can easily be misconstrued among many in the public. We have a lot of work to do and, unfortunately, our leader - you - must sacrifice some of the most basic things in life in order to get things done. Trivial actions and words, sadly, become important when it's you that's doing it. Furthermore, being Governor means doing things we don't like - such as sucking up the media and becoming good 'ol chums with the Boston rags. It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. These are all part of the job description for any Governor, but especially a progressive one such as yourself. We depend on the public knowing the truth to get things done, but that can't happen if most people know more about your office drapes than meals tax policy.

Thanks,

Ryan

Hold the Phones! Deval Makes Phone Call!!

Oh, noes! Quick, write the front-page headline!

Instead of going in length describing everything that's wrong with this article, point by point (it's not as if I've never done that before), here are three quick things that bother me:

• The foreboding picture. Seriously, they may as well have put up a Deval-as-Darth-Vader photoshop picture and it probably would have looked less evil. It's actually quite funny, the depths to which the Globe must have went to find such a horrendously scary picture of Deval.
  
• Why can't the Boston Globe seemingly ever manage to answer any of the key questions? These aren't finished pieces. What did Patrick's phone call actually do? Just writing an article for he-said-she-said purposes, to essentially report innuendo, is ridiculous. I want to know what the phone call was about, what Patrick said during it, what the companies in question got from it, etc. Maybe Deval was just having a friendly conversation, maybe he was being ebil. Who knows? The Boston Globe didn't do any research, content to just find mouthpieces not related to what happened in order to criticize the Governor (to sell more newspapers).
  
• Frank Phillips wrote this piece. It's not as if he has a history or anything. Seriously, how many shoddy articles can one write before they're fired?