Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 9.21.16

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
TWO FOR THOUGHT SAME TOPIC, DIFFERENT VIEWS GARY JOHNSON AND THE DEBATES
MYERS REECE
OPEN DIALOGUE
IN THE SPAN OF A FEW WEEKS, OUR SMALL newsroom will cover nearly 30 political races and interview twice that number of candidates. Right now, we have ve reporters tracking down 37 candidates — from every corner of Northwest Montana, some more remote than others — for 18 state Senate and House con- tests. Many will answer a questionnaire, while others will be featured in pro les, requiring additional interviews and research.
Through a certain lens, that math is daunting. It’s a lot of responsibility for a few reporters, with the heaviest lifting falling on senior writer Tristan Scott’s shoulders. But through the lens of responsible journalism, guided by the core principle of an informed electorate, it can almost feel insu cient.
How do you reasonably cover each and every race, while nding time to stitch together longer features on high-pro le battles, and walk away feeling the job has been done? The simple answer is you do your best. You try to be fair and thorough, you work diligently under pressure, and you trust the instincts of your ethics.
The world doesn’t come to a standstill for election season, so we’ll continue writing features on local busi- nesses, covering municipal government, and taking pho- tos of high school athletes, among the plentiful other day- to-day duties of a local newspaper. But we’ll place an out- sized emphasis on politics, in the form of man-hours and dedicated space in the paper.
You can debate the veracity of the adage that “all pol- itics is local,” considering Washington, D.C., often feels like it’s operating in its own dimension on the other side of the world, but it’s true that local politics touch our lives most directly on a daily basis. The shop owner down the street or farmer west of town might be deciding the rules of your land usage and tax structure, so you should get to know him or her. A newspaper questionnaire and biogra- phy is a good place to start.
U.S. presidential candidates, senators and congress- men, and to a lesser degree top-ranking state politicians such as governor, are surrounded by layers of aides and public relations platoons. This is a reality of modern political discourse, and it can muddy the conversation.
But the pathways to local legislators are typically crys- tal clear, and a newspaper’s coverage often re ects that openness. Interviews with a candidate who has never run for o ce can be candid, more so than with a career politician whose words have repeatedly been scruti- nized under the microscope of public opinion and media punditry.
Of course, we also cover races for the state’s highest o ces, from auditor and governor to U.S. representative and senator, and we believe those pro les can be just as illuminating as the local legislative stories, even if they contain a few more politically convenient sound bites.
As the Beacon’s senior writer during the 2012 general election, I covered 20 races, including the big-money U.S. Senate showdown between Jon Tester and Denny Rehberg, and co-moderated a gubernatorial debate between Rick Hill and Steve Bullock with editor Kellyn Brown. I learned a lot about the nature of modern cam- paigning, as well as media-politician relationships and responsibilities.
Most importantly, I hope my stories — along with those of other media sources — helped readers learn enough about their candidates to make educated decisions at the ballot box, just as I hope our upcoming coverage will.
Ultimately, that’s what reporters, voters, and politi- cians all want, or should want: an open dialogue, which serves as the foundation of democracy. It takes work, but we owe it to ourselves, and the e ort is worth it.
BY TIM BALDWIN
It’s no mystery that many Republicans and lim-
ited-government advocates dislike Donald Trump, though the reasons may be di erent. Voting for Trump is not only out of the question, but many anti-Trumpers are openly promoting Gary Johnson’s campaign, the libertarian candidate. Johnson’s sup- port comes also from anti-Clintonites.
Gary Johnson is the only other candidate who will be on all ballots. His popularity is rising, which is indicated by continued polling. Despite some poli- cies of Johnson’s that conservatives may dislike (e.g. abortion, same-sex marriage), Johnson is viewed as honest and open and desires to limit the federal gov- ernment considerably, a common goal among con- servatives and libertarians.
It is understandable why Trump appeals to peo- ple wishing for a political “revolution.” His rhetoric suggests he will wipe out political corruption like the puritans wiped out “witches.” But for other con- servatives, his rhetoric scares them. Similarly, many Democrats are scared by Hillary Clinton. Thus, Johnson’s campaign is viable, but as Johnson admits, for him to win, he must be allowed to debate them.
In total, #LetGaryDebate seems like a no-brainer this election, though Johnson was denied this oppor- tunity for the rst debate. Maybe after America observes Trump and Clinton during the rst debate millions of Americans will join Johnson.
BY JOE CARBONARI
Character matters. Donald Trump’s character suf-
ciently suits the private sector. Big business is not bean bag, nor is it government. The means and ends are di erent. One is measured nancially, the other by the well-being of those governed.
A strong, secure economy is at base of this well-be- ing as is a healthy life itself. Trump will bring change which will work to the bene t of some and to the det- riment of others. General environmental and health concerns will be given less consideration in favor of encouraging business. Good for some, but endanger- ing to others, particularly the less powerful and well- o . Some feel there are winners and losers in life and have little concern for the losers. That does not augur well for the less-lucky. The economy must work for all, even those less gifted by birth or good fortune, even those who may seem undeserving.
Of even greater concern, however, is that Trump may misread his competition, gamble when he should not. It is not uncommon for world leaders to disagree on existential matters. How they handle themselves may determine war or peace at a catastrophic level – well beyond what is at stake in a business deal.
Finally, a protest vote for a third-party candidate cannot make a large positive change, but it may make a huge negative one. In a close election it might put Trump in o ce. The risk is not worth the gain. It is a counter-productive action.
AMERICAN RURAL DIANE SMITH
IT CAN ALWAYS GET WORSE
I
anyone beyond his family and his nanciers. He’s not a patriot; he’s an opportunist. This was a no-brainer for him. If he wins, he gets to live rent-free in the White House, cut huge deals with foreign governments that line his family’s pockets, and y around on Air Force One. If he loses, he gets the biggest reality television payday ever.
Good friends who are Trump supporters have said to me, “Our country is dying! We can’t take another four years of Obama’s policies. Clinton’s a mess. It can’t get any worse!” Well, let me tell you, it can get worse.
Trump could sell o Yellowstone and turn Glacier National Park into a golf course nanced by Russian mercenaries.
He could send our children into a war that can’t be won (sound familiar?) for short-fused macho reasons. He could tank the U.S. economy by undermining our “most trusted nation” status around the globe. If a U.S. president even indicates a willingness to ignore our debt or kisses up to globally reviled dictators, for- eign money will quickly nd another home base, which would devastate our economy, jobs, and many of our
retirements.
Trump isn’t strong; he’s opinionated. Trump’s an
East Coast elitist who used his wealth to avoid military service, and who called veterans “deplorable” when it
suited his own nancial objectives.
Trump’s not even a great businessperson. He
doesn’t make anything; he licenses his name. So does Spiderman.
He will not learn enough about rural and small town Americans to actually help us. Sure, he might re-invig- orate coal mining. He might also allow big corporations to poison our water.
I love this country. I am in awe of our veterans. I have written repeatedly that rural and small-town Americans are among the smartest, most innova- tive, hardest-working folks I’ve ever met and how we deserve super-e ective government. I worry about ter- rorism, jobs, opportunity inequality, and infrastruc- ture deployment in our small communities.
For these reasons, I believe that our children and grandchildren deserve a president who will actually read a white paper and think carefully and studiously through complex issues (by the way, Trump and Ivan- ka’s maternity leave proposal — and I’m a big propo- nent of parental leave — could bankrupt lots of small businesses in our backyards, so be sure to bone up on it). Mostly, I believe we need a president who speaks of war and genocidal dictators with gravity, depth and seriousness.
I learned long ago that when someone asks, “How could it get worse?” it’s a good idea to start looking for an exit strategy. Because it can always get worse. I promise.
HAVE TO GET THIS OFF MY CHEST ... DONALD Trump doesn’t give a hoot about us. He doesn’t
care about veterans, blue-collar workers, women, or
Learn more about Diane by following her column here or visit American Rural at AmericanRural.org.
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM