Hburg American Endorsements

[noway]

Well the election is over the Hattiesburg American has endorsed the city council candidates. Are these the winners? The ones they picked are they going to loose for sure now? Or will people vote against these people because of who they endorsed?

[aaron]

haha, I don't understand what they are thinking. I guess it's over, no need for a primary or an election.

[Lloyd Braun]

Why would they openly endorse candidates when they know some of their subscribers aren't going to agree with them. I think it's best for a newspaper can't be biased towards any candidate.

[usm_designer]

Very true.

[brianlucas]

I am running for City Council in Ward 4 and I am quite proud to have the endorsement of the Hattiesburg American.

I can tell you that I have not spent one cent on advertising in their newspaper (or any other), for my campaign or my business.

I did meet with the Editorial Advisory Board to discuss the issues that I felt were important to the residents of Ward 4 and to the city of Hattiesburg. It is my understanding that they gave each candidate a chance to meet with them before they decided to back a particular candidate.

The only credible evidence I can offer to rebut the assumption that they backed the candidate that spent the most advertising dollars with them is that one of my opponents in the Republican primary bought an ad in the voter's guide that they published on Sunday. Despite this fact, they chose to endorse me. Hopefully, the voters will agree with them next Tuesday (at least in my Ward).

[brianlucas]

AutomakitK:

I think you (and others) have made a very good point that the newspaper doesn't have to support candidates. They could just as easily use the space to encourage people to vote.

However, I don't think that the practice is unique to our community newspaper. For better or worse, I think that newspapers have considered themselves to be the conscience of the community for a very long time. In many ways, we as a society have bought into it. How many times have you heard someone say, "well, it was in the newspaper"?

I think that the Editorial Page is very valuable to the community. It is an integral force in helping to shape the community debate and encourages individual readers to sharpen their own views on important issues. On a daily basis, the Hattiesburg American voices its own opinion about what is going on. I would have to admit that I often disagree with their position. However, merely placing the matter into the public discourse is a valuable service.

Perhaps the best thing about the Editorial Page is that it allows for the consideration of opposing viewpoints through the Letters to the Editor section. While only about two letters per day are published, usually two letters per day are published. They are encouraging a public debate that informs and invigorates those concerned about our community.

On a personal note, I too wish that they recorded those meetings and published them. I think that the more information the public has about the candidates, the better decision the voters will make.

[aaron]

well said, thanks for becoming a member, your already a valuable addition and I wish you the best of luck with the race.

[F150]

thanks for the post Brian, your right that society buys into what's in the newspaper, but I think that gives them a greater responsiblity to be unbiased. When your reporting a story, it's hard not to swing one way or the other, but I'll tell you what, I don't have a good idea whether WDAM supports the police chief or is against him. They just did a story on the crime rate in Hattiesburg and put out facts. I didn't read that piece as being an editor's opinion, but maybe I missed something. I am glad they endorsed a Republican and a Democratic candidate, but wonder if they will endorse just one after the primary. I just think when you have a strong media influence like they do, your basically telling people how to vote. Winning the H.A. endorsement could win you the election. Good for you and the other candidates that were put in that group, but bad for the voters who seek out an informed decision only to be beaten by voters who picked up the paper on Monday and voted on Tuesday.

[brianlucas]

F150:

Your comments are certainly well taken and very well written. There are very obvious differences between the newspaper and the television mediums. However, WDAM does run an editorial segment (though it is weekly, I believe). They are very careful to mention that "opposing viewpoints will be considered within 10 days". The stark contrast, I believe, is that the newspaper went one step beyond presenting its opinion on issues and attached candidates to those issues. I think that the real problem comes when the line between the newspaper's editorial page and the news section becomes blurred or non-existant.

I believe that the newspaper will pick one candidate per race once the primaries are over.

I hope that the voters will seek out information on the candidates before the election. I have actually decided (this morning) to run an ad in Sunday's newspaper to let more voters know who I am and where I stand. I will include my home and work phone number so that people can ask questions before they decide to vote for or against me.

[usm_designer]

Brian. click the little "quote" button at the top right of the post in which you are wanting to quote. It will feed it into your post for you automatically.

Cheers :)

[brianlucas]

Brian. click the little "quote" button at the top right of the post in which you are wanting to quote. It will feed it into your post for you automatically.

Cheers :)

Thanks! I learn something new everyday :)

[msgop]

I thought it was interesting that of the 4 city council members running for re-election only 1 was endorsed by the HA (Henry Naylor). I have talked to many people who have watched Hattiesburg politics for years and they all said that a HA endorsement is the kiss of death! I'm not trying to take anyting away from Mr. Lucas, that's just what everybody says.

By the way, newspaper endorsements are a political tradition that goes back to the birth of the print media in this country. I feel it's an antiquated notion but they certainly have the right to use their ink the way they want to. I personally won't be voting for any of their endorsements (don't worry Mr. Lucas I don't live your ward). I prefer to think for myself as I imagine SOME of the people on this message board do.

:twisted:

[brianlucas]

msgop,

I agree with you about the perceived history of the Hattiesburg American's endorsements. Everyone I talk to says that they have a pretty lousy track record at picking the ultimate victors in the elections. However, it is important to note that they are not just predictions of how the voters will vote. They are the measured opinions of the Editorial Board and its Advisors. Nothing more, but certainly nothing less, than the combined wisdom of a collection of individuals that are well aware of what is going on.

In the city council races, the H.A. only picked against two incumbents, while choosing to endorse one. Betsy Rowell is not running for re-election as a representative of Ward 1 and Red Bailey needs no endorsement (as an independent, he is the only one of six candidates guaranteed a spot in the general election).

I would certainly join you in encouraging others to think for themselves. However, that sword cuts both ways - if you don't vote for people just because they are endorsed by the local newspaper, you shouldn't use the fact that the Editorial Board liked what they had to say as the justification for voting against them either.

I am not what you would call a handsome man and tomorrow night I may find that I don't have very many friends, but I am sincere in my desire to make Hattiesburg a better place to live. My approach is not particularly novel - I believe that strong neighborhoods and community pride are great municipal elixirs that could cure many ills. We need to feel safe, we need to feel that our kids are getting the best education possible, and we need to feel that our tax dollars are being spent on what's most important.

I think that Hattiesburg should rejoice when a new business opens on the west side of town. I think that Hattiesburg should be just as happy when a new couple moves into the heart of our city on the avenues. I think that we should, as a city, claim victory when another building in the downtown area gets a facelift. We should all be happy because economic development, community growth, and revitalization of our city's downtown are good for us, all of us. No matter where it happens.

I'm running for City Council because I am tired of our differences being used to divide us. I believe that the Council member's job is not merely to jealously guard the streets of and tax dollars generated by their voting district, but to manage the budget of our city and to establish long term plans for city wide growth and prosperity.

We are what a lot of other places will never be. We are a college town and a retirement community. Somehow, we have managed to support the thousands of troops that are stationed here and we have been able to convince quite a few people that we are one of the best places to live in the country. From the center of town, it is just as easy to drive to Jackson as it is to the Coast as it is to Natchez as it is to Mobile as it is to New Orleans, but it is a whole lot better to just stay home and enjoy Hattiesburg.

[F150]

Brian
I have said it before, you have a really positive outlook on things. I really wish you the best of luck in this race.
:D

*agrees* and there's my use of the quote button