I remember covering the 2006 congressional race between Waterloo attorney Bruce Braley and Davenport restaurateur Mike Whalen of Iowa Machine Shed fame (yes, there was a time when Waterloo and Davenport were in the same congressional district, go figure). At one forum, Mike confronted me and said, with a bit of tongue in cheek, 'What kind of newspaper doesn't make endorsements?" I replied in equal measure and with good humor, "WE don't!" As a good Quad Citian, Mike was used to the Times sticking its neck out there. In contrast the Waterloo Courier NEVER made endorsements, except on local ballot issues. As one publisher told me, bluntly, "You just p*** off half your readership!" And I did, over the years, think there was that "kiss of death" syndrome with endorsements, particularly with the Register. It would even make primary election endorsements, when everyone knew there was one party the paper's editorial board leaned toward more often than not; I mean, with all due respect, who did they think they were kidding?
I'm not sure if there's a right or wrong answer in every situation.
One of my ISU profs, Ed Blinn, once told me " A newspaper without an editorial page is a newspaper without a soul." And I suppose part of having a "soul" is having the chuzpah to stick one's neck out once in a while. As the great I.F. Stone once told me when I interviewed him for a class assignment at Iowa State, "Jefferson's idea of freedom of the press wasn't to have a bunch of political eunuchs running around."
Still, I prefer to lay out the facts and let the reader connect the dots; if the facts definitely point in a certain direction, it's not out of bounds to sum it up and say so. We're no smarter than our readers but we are their eyes and ears when it comes to laying out information. They're smart enough to draw their own conclusions.
I'm reminded of the fable we read in grade school about the sun and the wind betting each other on which could remove a man's coat from him first. The wind blew and blew and the man bundled his coat up tighter to himself. The sun just got brighter and turned on the heat, and eventually the man became too hot and decided to take the coat off himself.
My family was in the drug store business in Chicago which was founded by my grandfather. He had many rules but one always stuck with me and it was, “stay out of politics because we can’t afford to upset half our customers.” For a long time I felt newspapers had a dilemma when large advertisers had legal or other issues and the paper had to decide to delay the “news” or not report it at all because they could loose revenue. I was always told there was a wall between the news people and the business people but I remained skeptical. Before the Trump era when we had politically divergent views but were not as polarized as today the paper endorsed candidates, did their homework and had no fear that they would loose readership or advertisers because they were the only source of information. Now of course there are many sources of information, ( unfortunately many not valid), the newspaper competes with and losing readers and advertisers continues to present problems for the newspaper business. This is very unfortunate because of the important role journalism plays in democracy. I was once endorsed by the Quad City Times when I ran for mayor and I felt honored and felt the comments connected to their endorsement were thoughtful and included some concerns about my candidacy. My reaction to their decision not to endorse is consistent with the trend the newspaper is on, which is to be irrelevant. My guess is their decision was a business decision and not a “news’ decision which is sad and unfortunate for the community.
I was horrified to see the QCT capitulate their civic responsibilities to a bunch of partisan individuals who did not do the homework needed- just spouted opinions. Martin disappoints me repeatedly now with his softball reporting and no hardball investigations anymore. He is wasting the journalistic talent. Davenport alone needs the digging into the issues only a newspaper can do. Loewy did a great job on women in the margins, but the paper didn’t follow up with any of the city governments and nonprofits to ask what would be done about it. Martin really dropped the ball there. And let’s not talk about the old and probably free comics. With no notice. I don’t think he cares about his readers. And therefore doesn’t care about the viability of the QCT. I am sad.
I thought Loewy’s articles were quite well done. He does a superb job reaching people who usually are ignored by news organizations. Thanks for the comment.
I enjoyed my final editorial board interview. I was asked a very general, "Why should the QC Times endorse you?" I provided an abundance of rationale and ended with, "Let's face it, you have a very difficult decision. You don't like me yet you've spent years beating the other guy for his apparent lunacy. So, you can retract all of that or endorse me. Wow, tough to be you." I was appreciative of the QC Times' endorsement.
It would seem that the QC Times was, in fact, very well informed as to the issues and the personalities involved. The cumulative, unintended effect was that their hands appeared tied by a series of articles over the years.
All that to say, yes, the newspaper may be the best source of information for many and might just move a few people to make a final decision. I'd recommend that journalists do their job on a daily basis and provide information. The professional journalist adds his or her opinion as just that, an informed and well contemplated opinion noted as such.
Thanks for the comment, Mike. I know you had experience with the board, albeit before I joined. Providing information is the most important role of a newspaper’s newsroom, but opinions by separate opinion journalists add value. I think that is both good journalism and good business.
Newspapers---Just like the GOP are afraid of Mr. Trump. Thus no more endorsements. Today "fake news media" and Disinformation are the new "journalism". FOX news, Newsmax, and MSNBC are now the new forms of endorsements for candidates of both parties.
I never considered the TIMES endorsements were nothing more than informing the local voters who was running and a little history of each person running.
I have always believed that the media (journalism) primary focus was to INFORM the Public about anyone running for public office---BUT TELL THE TRUTH. Today, with social media the TRUTH is very difficult to find. We need to have truth in our Media, but, with the overwhelming disinformation
we take in everyday---what is the truth. Elon Musk is endorsing Mr. Trump--I now PRAY ALOT.
Just finished reading a book--ATTACK FROM WITHIN by BarbMcQuade---a must read.
For the record I was looking forward to going through the interview process when I ran. I felt I could convince anyone I was the right choice. But as you said it was a local who cares election <3rd ward bettendorf> and didn't generate much interest.
Having done it now for 9 months I am not so sure I was the right choice, but that is a commentary for a different day!
Nice analysis, Ed. Well done.
I remember covering the 2006 congressional race between Waterloo attorney Bruce Braley and Davenport restaurateur Mike Whalen of Iowa Machine Shed fame (yes, there was a time when Waterloo and Davenport were in the same congressional district, go figure). At one forum, Mike confronted me and said, with a bit of tongue in cheek, 'What kind of newspaper doesn't make endorsements?" I replied in equal measure and with good humor, "WE don't!" As a good Quad Citian, Mike was used to the Times sticking its neck out there. In contrast the Waterloo Courier NEVER made endorsements, except on local ballot issues. As one publisher told me, bluntly, "You just p*** off half your readership!" And I did, over the years, think there was that "kiss of death" syndrome with endorsements, particularly with the Register. It would even make primary election endorsements, when everyone knew there was one party the paper's editorial board leaned toward more often than not; I mean, with all due respect, who did they think they were kidding?
I'm not sure if there's a right or wrong answer in every situation.
One of my ISU profs, Ed Blinn, once told me " A newspaper without an editorial page is a newspaper without a soul." And I suppose part of having a "soul" is having the chuzpah to stick one's neck out once in a while. As the great I.F. Stone once told me when I interviewed him for a class assignment at Iowa State, "Jefferson's idea of freedom of the press wasn't to have a bunch of political eunuchs running around."
Still, I prefer to lay out the facts and let the reader connect the dots; if the facts definitely point in a certain direction, it's not out of bounds to sum it up and say so. We're no smarter than our readers but we are their eyes and ears when it comes to laying out information. They're smart enough to draw their own conclusions.
I'm reminded of the fable we read in grade school about the sun and the wind betting each other on which could remove a man's coat from him first. The wind blew and blew and the man bundled his coat up tighter to himself. The sun just got brighter and turned on the heat, and eventually the man became too hot and decided to take the coat off himself.
Sunlight is a great cure for a lot of things.
Well stated and I agree 100%
Thanks, Wendy.
My family was in the drug store business in Chicago which was founded by my grandfather. He had many rules but one always stuck with me and it was, “stay out of politics because we can’t afford to upset half our customers.” For a long time I felt newspapers had a dilemma when large advertisers had legal or other issues and the paper had to decide to delay the “news” or not report it at all because they could loose revenue. I was always told there was a wall between the news people and the business people but I remained skeptical. Before the Trump era when we had politically divergent views but were not as polarized as today the paper endorsed candidates, did their homework and had no fear that they would loose readership or advertisers because they were the only source of information. Now of course there are many sources of information, ( unfortunately many not valid), the newspaper competes with and losing readers and advertisers continues to present problems for the newspaper business. This is very unfortunate because of the important role journalism plays in democracy. I was once endorsed by the Quad City Times when I ran for mayor and I felt honored and felt the comments connected to their endorsement were thoughtful and included some concerns about my candidacy. My reaction to their decision not to endorse is consistent with the trend the newspaper is on, which is to be irrelevant. My guess is their decision was a business decision and not a “news’ decision which is sad and unfortunate for the community.
Thanks for the comment, Dan. I remember that endorsement. I only hope this is a temporary decision.
Thanks for elevating this important topic!
I was horrified to see the QCT capitulate their civic responsibilities to a bunch of partisan individuals who did not do the homework needed- just spouted opinions. Martin disappoints me repeatedly now with his softball reporting and no hardball investigations anymore. He is wasting the journalistic talent. Davenport alone needs the digging into the issues only a newspaper can do. Loewy did a great job on women in the margins, but the paper didn’t follow up with any of the city governments and nonprofits to ask what would be done about it. Martin really dropped the ball there. And let’s not talk about the old and probably free comics. With no notice. I don’t think he cares about his readers. And therefore doesn’t care about the viability of the QCT. I am sad.
I thought Loewy’s articles were quite well done. He does a superb job reaching people who usually are ignored by news organizations. Thanks for the comment.
I enjoyed my final editorial board interview. I was asked a very general, "Why should the QC Times endorse you?" I provided an abundance of rationale and ended with, "Let's face it, you have a very difficult decision. You don't like me yet you've spent years beating the other guy for his apparent lunacy. So, you can retract all of that or endorse me. Wow, tough to be you." I was appreciative of the QC Times' endorsement.
It would seem that the QC Times was, in fact, very well informed as to the issues and the personalities involved. The cumulative, unintended effect was that their hands appeared tied by a series of articles over the years.
All that to say, yes, the newspaper may be the best source of information for many and might just move a few people to make a final decision. I'd recommend that journalists do their job on a daily basis and provide information. The professional journalist adds his or her opinion as just that, an informed and well contemplated opinion noted as such.
Thanks for the comment, Mike. I know you had experience with the board, albeit before I joined. Providing information is the most important role of a newspaper’s newsroom, but opinions by separate opinion journalists add value. I think that is both good journalism and good business.
Newspapers---Just like the GOP are afraid of Mr. Trump. Thus no more endorsements. Today "fake news media" and Disinformation are the new "journalism". FOX news, Newsmax, and MSNBC are now the new forms of endorsements for candidates of both parties.
I never considered the TIMES endorsements were nothing more than informing the local voters who was running and a little history of each person running.
I have always believed that the media (journalism) primary focus was to INFORM the Public about anyone running for public office---BUT TELL THE TRUTH. Today, with social media the TRUTH is very difficult to find. We need to have truth in our Media, but, with the overwhelming disinformation
we take in everyday---what is the truth. Elon Musk is endorsing Mr. Trump--I now PRAY ALOT.
Just finished reading a book--ATTACK FROM WITHIN by BarbMcQuade---a must read.
Thanks, Dave. I’ve heard about that book, but haven’t read it. Thanks for the recommendation and taking the time to comment.
For the record I was looking forward to going through the interview process when I ran. I felt I could convince anyone I was the right choice. But as you said it was a local who cares election <3rd ward bettendorf> and didn't generate much interest.
Having done it now for 9 months I am not so sure I was the right choice, but that is a commentary for a different day!
Thanks, Greg. Your kind of humility is rare in politics