After teeth gnashing over Republicans closing doors on the press, there’s now no outrage when sitting Democrats do the same thing.
I will refute any claim that Democrats or journalists lack standards. They both have double the standards of other people. The paradox of this reality is both amusing and aggravating, all in a matter of hours.
The Florida Republican Party hosted an election-focused conference over the weekend in South Florida.The Sunshine Summit. As it emerged that Florida GOP had limited the number of media professionals who would be permitted to attend, there was no shortage in emotional responses. The outrage began last weekBefore the event, there were complaints about the state-run Press grewNature over the weekend.
The national media outlets were quick to join in the chorus of complaining and carping about the events at the conference. The Intelligencer was covered by Sister ToldjahI wrote an extensive screed about the troublesome development, complete with all the innuendos. Vanity Fair used a similar approachThe Intelligencer piece is sprung off. This is what we call hand-wringing. Aversion to scrutiny by media that may change how coverage of the next presidential election cycle takes place.
Funny thing is, in 2020 Joe Biden seemed not to only avoid the media but actually enjoyed it. Joe was controlled from granting too many interviews, with the usual press access seen in past elections severely truncated, and the announcement of “calling a lid” on the day’s activities became commonplace. These decisions were actually praised by the media as well as criticized. This week, the press has been accused of avoiding important decisions that could threaten our democracy.
These pearl-clutchings have been steady for the last few days. Jonathan ChaitWe looked into the limitations of press credentials as the next step in the GOP’s eventual operation of a dictatorial government. MSNBC the always calm and never irrational Mehdi Hasan saw this weekend’s snub as a threat to freedom, the First Amendment, and a free press. Be aware of some hyperbolic claims. You will get a callback.
Consider remarks, such as Chait’s claim that, “The GOP will function in power like the ruling party in a one-party state,” These are about a seminar that was held to discuss party planning and electoral goals. The press is bent out of shape over being locked out of what was essentially a strategy session, and they extrapolate their exclusion as a sign of future authoritarianism — if their histrionics are to be listened to.
They should be asked if they would feel about being similarly ignored by the party in power. The GOP may be perceived as an attack on our foundations, denying access to press at party events to certain news outlets. Should this not also be seen to pose a greater threat to our democracy than a ruling party closing the doors to the same press about active governance?
That question lingers with this dose of today’s news.
Attention Hill Press Corps. Senate democrats have barred reporters from staking out the room in which they’re discussing the reconciliation package. Do not waste time.
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) July 28, 2022
Interesting. Sherman of Punchbowl News does not seem to be voicing any concern that our government is being made redundant by the exclusionary act. No one is setting fire to this attack on the fabric of the country. This, despite the fact that it can be said that a group of standing senators barring the press from engagement of government activities is far more significant than a party’s electioneering planning summit being made exclusive.
This highlights the dual standards and deference that are being paid to certain parties in today’s media. It is a danger to democracy if the GOP wants coy about election plans. Democrats are dismissed as inconveniences for shielding themselves from the democratic activity.
This is almost like the Republicans recognized the differences in their standards and decided not to allow the corrupt players to enter and ruin their plans. This week’s shrieking over what the press did not see is all the proof needed they made the correct call on the matter.
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