There is nothing more underwhelming than when the main stream media tries to get cute, and speedily pen an article that attacks the integrity of a conservative (under the ‘guise’ of objective reporting), conveniently timed to try and impact an election. Today’s award winner for gutter-journalism: the Sacramento Bee. They ran a front-page story today making it sound like State Senator Jim Battin has questionable ethical standards because of his policy beliefs. Someone forgot to tell the Bee that ideologues like Jim Battin have a lot of passionate beliefs, and that instead of looking to ‘personal gain’ as reasoning for someone’s positions on issues, how about looking to their core-beliefs?
Jim Battin is an advocate for rights for Indian Gaming tribes. Not too shocking — he is not alone, there are many who share his position. But for the Sacramento Bee to run a front-page smear job the morning that Battin is trying to put together votes to become the leader of Senate Republicans is shameful. While Battin lost his bid by one swing vote, I am pretty sure than none of his colleagues let that article impact their vote. But, still, it was disturbing to read it — because of the article’s content, and because of its timing.
Oh yes, the Bee gets ‘extra smear credit’ for featuring this article on a day of celebration when all of the legislators, their families, and supporters are in town. Way to go — not.