Yesterday Vice President Joe Biden came to town to host a fundraiser for US Representative Kurt Schrader, but I was barred from seeing him, along with all but one reporter from town. So who was the lucky reporter let in? That would be Harry Esteve at the Oregonian, who filed this story. According to the sole report, Biden’s speech focused on Republicans’ refusal to work with Democrats on issues like health care reform and unemployment.
Esteve also noted the tasty food:
Donors inside the Tiffany Center near downtown Portland munched on Northwest food, including oysters from Tillamook and wild Pacific salmon. Biden spoke for about half an hour and took no questions from the audience. About 25 people who paid $5,000 were able to personally greet the vice president and have their photos taken with him.
- Wild salmon has better access than reporters.
Kari Chisholm over at BlueOregon notes that I shouldn’t be pissed about the event not being open to reporters, because fundraisers are typically private affairs. But I don’t see any problem created by having more reporters covering the event from the back of the room (if we promise not to eat any of the expensive oysters), but only having one reporter (especially one of the White House’s choosing) filing a story because then we only get one perspective on the event. The discussion is narrowed. Politicians who want to win public trust should start at square one by being open to reporters and encourage transparency and public discourse through encouraging multiple media reports.
I spent all last year ragging on people like Sarah Palin for restricting media access to outrageously expensive speaking events. So a Democrat who only wants one media outlet allowed at his $5,000-for-a-photo oyster fest? Not the kind of Democrat I want to vote for.
this is an epic case of butthurt I hope continues into November.
it’s a private event. it’s purpose is to get money out of people; they are buying “special” access to the VP. it’s not a rally or speech. when Obama came to Pdx in 2007, some folks paid $1000 for a photo, others $250 for a small room speech (and meet-n-greet); the rest stood in line outside the Convention Ctr. just because the VP is the speaker doesn’t make it a public event; the was paid for with campaign funds. more than likely we’ll see Biden or others back in the fall for open public events. but this won’t be the last time you are barred from a private fundraiser. just as you won’t get into many other private events around town.
Sarah, did you throw a similar tantrum when Cindy called you a booger-face on the playground last week after nap time and right in front of Tommy?
Jack, did you choke a little sucking on establishment cock when pounding out this reply to the Mercury? (Hey, this is the Merc, where you fight fire with inanity/profanity, right?)
Actually, this reply is for my friend Todd. When Obama came to PDX in 2007 he was one of the Democrats’ candidates, not our President. It’s fine if my Vice-President comes to town to support a Blue Dog. I was invited, but declined to pay the entrance fee. And if the “media” is excluded, well, this represents our right of free association (barring of course discrimination). But to embed a single member of the Fourth Estate, is to allow government to be in bed with the media. This is rather nasty indeed. To paraphrase Joe, it’s a medium fucking deal.
Hans, PCP – Democrat, 4041
Sounds like transparency to me.
We need new taxes. A 110% tax on all campaign funds raised greater than $5 million.