Hence the breathless coverage, the same story written on different days and weeks. The multiple blog posts on consecutive days.
I'm beginning to wonder if the Dallas Observer was right when they said the Dallas Morning News has an agenda and will keep all guns blazing when you don't vote their way. Any slip-up, any misstep by said dissident, and you're Hester Prynne. You will have a nationwide crisis on your hands.
Most of the controversy about Dwaine Caraway being Mayor Pro Tem is being ginned up by the DMN. It all can be traced back to the last fall's votes on raising taxes and on the Alcohol Referendum (the latter of which their position won out, by the way). Both votes were the ones supported by the majority of his constituents, I might add. I guess winning isn't enough. I can already predict the "no endorsement" during the upcoming City Council election. It's probably written and saved already, so they click on a CueCat barcode and have it pop right up. How conveeeenient.
They've been gunning for payback ever since.
Sorry to inform the Dallas Morning News, but Dwaine's not going anywhere.
Nobody is hand-wringing over Caraway taking over as Mayor until the June swearing of this year's election winner as much as the DMN. Which is why most every article claims "unnamed sources inside City Hall." If these sources checked in on FourSquare the address would probably be here. Why was nobody hand-wringing two years ago when councilpeople were under indictment? But now, it's being considered? Give me a break.
The main councilperson they quoted about this Mayor Pro Tem discussion was one that did not vote for him last time. Ditto for another in the news story last night. In 2009. Two years ago. Knowing something like that would require reporters with an institutional knowledge of City Hall and actual votes, like most papers have vs just people running behind each other like MediaTakeOut. Falling over each other to impress their bosses. If you did, that article line would've come out totally different. For example, you might ask, "what has changed since you also didn't vote for him last time for Mayor Pro Tem in 2009?" Then you'd have some insight, which is what makes a great article. Brad Watson of Channel 8 made such a notation in last night's news piece; that's what you call being a good political reporter. Moving on.
Who in their right mind, that wasn't already involved in Dallas politics in some capacity, would want to run for Mayor or even City Council for that matter. Look at what you have to endure just to be a candidate or member. Having lived in different major cities in the U.S., I've never seen anything like it.
I hope you all don't think I'm getting all Chris Crocker on you. I don't expect all roses and sunshine in every article. Just some actual reporting and a hint of insightful and objective coverage mixed in with the hyperbole. Maybe not four articles, 2-3 editorials, and ten blog posts on the same topic. Especially if you want me to pay $20/ a month for it.
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