Kaplan: Fewer reporters means incumbent advantage
By Jessica Alaimo, PolitickerME.com ReporterFormer Portland Press Herald Reporter Jonathan Kaplan has an interesting column in The Washington Post this morning about the dwindling press corps in Washington.
Kaplan was laid off from the Press Herald in a recent round of layoffs that resulted in the closure of the paper’s Washington D.C. and Augusta bureaus.
Kaplan writes:
“The biggest losers in these cutbacks, of course, are the citizens of Maine and the other states where newspapers have closed their Washington bureaus. My main gripe is that the loss of regional reporters just gives one more advantage to incumbents seeking reelection. Even in 2006, a year in which a Democratic tide swept Republicans out of office, 94 percent of incumbents in the House were reelected, as were 79 percent of those in the Senate, according to OpenSecrets.org, a nonpartisan Web site that keeps track of election spending and data.”
Contributors
Wally Edge
The moral of the story? The Republican Party has some soul searching to do. >
Rob Tornoe
Janet Napolitano, the Democratic governor of Arizona and an early supporter of Barack Obama's presidential campaign, is being mentioned for ... >
Adam Cote
I attended my first political "house party" in 1994 when I was a senior in college. It was hosted by one of former U.S. Sen. George ... >
Chris Cinquemani
Republicans across Maine were decimated on Election Day. Two incumbent Republican state senators were knocked off, and Democrats picked up additional ... >
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Top Tags
Most Active Stories
- Chellie’s first week in Washington
- Maine’s budget shortfall is bad, but is far from the worst
- Susan Collins not the top pick for homeland security secretary
- Post-recount, no change in Oxford County position
- The return of Dean Scontras
- Obama electors to meet Dec. 15
- Local government mergers occurring in Maine, across country
- Baldacci talks trade in Canada
- Vote summary: To invoke cloture on unemployment compensation legislation
- GOP looks to governors for new ideas, rebuilding
- The Race for Governor: Is it 2010 yet? (Republicans)
- Brokeback Sheriff
- Campaign: ‘Huckabee has not wavered’
- Kucinich fans encouraged to continue their support
- First day back in the House: 5 sworn in
- Attack of the Ronulans
- Cianchette commits to free trade, reducing narcotic supply and re-learning Spanish in confirmation hearing for ambassador post
- Ron Paul supporters?
- The Republican Response - The Unabridged Version with Translation
- Rove: Obama's inexperienced; Biden's a 'big, blowhard doofus'
Quote of the Day
“Expanding foreign investment in Maine and building international trade opportunities for Maine businesses are crucial aspects of economic development and job creation."
-- Gov. John Baldacci
Recent Press Releases
- Oct 27 2008
Syndicate
Quit Whinning
This story premise would be fine except that the press corps has been NOTHING but a MOUTHPIECE for the Democratic Party and its hacks for many years. If reporters actually conducted investigative journalism and reviewed policy matters with an objective perspective, then their loss might be felt by the public.
As things stand now, we will notice VERY LITTLE difference in coverage since reporters have just been reprinting press releases and Democratic Talking Points for years.EhxFY
@taxpayer You really would
@taxpayer
You really would not like that. Investigative journalism would have to actually use scientific sources that point to more liberal actions instead of using the usual "experts" from "organizations" posing as trusts sources when they are actually backed politically or by special interest groups.
There is certainly a disgusting amount sensationalism in the news but the Republicans have been using disinformation in the media quite effectively as well. Because you claim a Democratic conspiracy perhaps you should read Phase II of the Senate Report on Pre-war Intelligence on Iraq. Note that is was a bipartisan commette and had a Republican majority.
"repeatedly presented intelligence as fact when in reality it was unsubstantiated, contradicted, or even non-existent. As a result, the American people were led to believe that the threat from Iraq was much greater than actually existed.”
Tell me again who has the hacks?
Where is my $20 Million?
Well, let's start here:
Where is the $20 million the Maine State Treasurer "invested" on behalf of Maine Citizens?
Very LITTLE coverage currently on the outcome of this matter by reporters.
No research or reporting as to how "qualified" the recent State Treasurers have been. Before the current Treasurer, there was Dale McCormick & Sam Shapiro both were "hacks" that had no qualifications to do the job other than raising FUNDS for Democratic Candidates.
'nuff said about the lack of real reporting.
Post new comment