Media Coverage

[ShariJH]

Even though Biden (and Dodd) are now out of the race, I have continued to contact the various media outlets regarding the lack of coverage of all of the candidates...including ABC/WMUR regarding the exclusion of Gravel, Kucinich and even Hunter from the debates. Although I am not voting for Gravel or Kucinich (I'll do a write-in for Joe), I AM supporting these candidate's right to be heard and have even signed up for their emails so that I can add my "voice" if I hear of unfairness by the media. This has become like a crusade for me. Kucinich is having an event with his supporters outside the debate tonight, and has filed an emergency complaint with the FCC. From visiting their sites I have found both Kucinich and Gravel to be fascinating men. I have always found Gravel to be very thought provoking, and applauded Kucinich's potentially career crushing UFO "confession" in a debate where HRC wouldn't even give the same answer within a three minute period - or choose a baseball team. Gravel's site is loaded with YouTube videos (since he can't be heard by the media). This one is about the media and is totally awesome....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK7DRPyNAHA

I know that I may be shouting into the wind in complaining to the media, but I feel that it's necessary for me to continue direct my energy there. THAT and campaign finance reform are the "changes" that I want...not Obama, Edwards or Clinton (I forget, is she the "change" candidate this week or the "experience" one? lol). The media shouldn't decide who our president should be...as Gravel says "Let the people decide". Hoping some Bidenites will also continue to fight for fair coverage...I think that it would make Joe proud.

[jillan]

1. You and ellen need to get together on this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=404x11365

You guys lead, I will follow.

How can we get that video to Biden? He NEEDS to see it.

[ShariJH]

2. Getting together

I saw her post, and nothing against the group, but I'd rather work independently as a lot of us did when Joe was running. I do this as time permits and as I find the "needs". Was hoping that others might shoot out emails if they see opportunities to do so.

:)

[ShariJH]

3. Video

I thought I'd send it to his Senate email next week. Don't want to send it now when it'll get lost with the emails that he probably rec'd since the dropped out of the race. If you can think of another way, send it -- or let me know!

[jillan]

5. Ha - I just sent it to Joel.

I am going to send Erin a thank you email next week, and was thinking of sending it to her too - unless you want to.

That is an excellent idea to send it to his Senate email.

We have to get this out.

[1corona4u]

4. What we need to try to do is...

get some pubicity about this. Like protest outside of the TV stations, but we need a well organized event, and it has to be nationwide, on the same day, soo how can we go about doing this, and preferably before we get much further into this election process?

I know we are not alone in this.

[jillan]

6. We should start a "Don't let the Media pick our President" campaign.

The only problem - big problem - is if you look at this place, it's too late.
They have fallen for it as well.

What will be interesting is to see the media spin tomorrow.
YOU know how I feel about Edwards, but I think he's next. (not counting Richardson)

And what was so interesting about that video, is the candidates are gone in the exact order of that video.

[elleng]

7. Interesting?

I say frightening.

[jillan]

9. A much better word to describe it.

Did you watch?

[elleng]

14. Nope;

couldn't.

[ShariJH]

16. Hey Ellen

....could we incorporate the protest project into your new group?

[elleng]

20. Mebbe, ShariJH;

what's the 'protest project?'

[ShariJH]

23. To protest

in unison with the other campaigns at tv statios etc.. It was mentioned somewhere earlier in this thread.

[ShariJH]

8. Media Campaign

I will join a media campaign (such as protesting stations), just didn't want to be committed to a group re: mailings etc.. Like I said, was hoping to just get folks to also send complaints -- like we were all doing with Joe.

I think we should join forces with the Gravel, Kucinich, Dodd and Edwards campaigns and organize protests. We must all unite....teh Bidenites reaching out across the party ala Biden reaching across the aisle.

[1corona4u]

11. I don't think just sending letters is enough....we need to be seen...

they get the letters, and they probably go right into the round file...

[jillan]

12. Brainstorm -

post your ideas as you get them.

[ShariJH]

13. Letters

Well, that was my only option up until now -- couldn't very well protest by myself!...lol...or be the lone soul getting the other groups to go with me...lol I'd mentioned this before since Joe left the race (on the Biden & BSI blogs) and no one even responded re: wanting to add their own random emails. I'm totally game for protesting.

[elleng]

21. Right, corona,

about the round file.

'They' are influenced by such powerful forces (their owners) that its unlikely that a few letters can have a significant effect. We should think about different approaches to p.r., so if anyone knows, or knows someone who knows, p.r. techniques, let us know, please.

I think we have to get the attention of a large sector of the public, inform them about what goes on, and then recruit them for actions.

Think of the venues that might be receptive to a 'news' story about an action and/or protest (like huffpo, rawstory, radio, websites, etc.)

[ShariJH]

10. Media & Money

has no idea what a force it's unleashed if we combine forces with Dodd, Kucinich, Gravel and Edwards folks.

[jillan]

15. Kucinich, and Edwards

I just looked, there is some activity in their groups.
Unfortunately, no one made one for Gravel.

Like I said earlier, I am curious to see the media spin tomorrow on tonite's debate.

Edwards had a good nite, and if he doesn't get the recognition for it, I bet there will be Edwards people that will be interested.

The first person I would love to take down is Chris Matthews - he used Biden and I am mad as hell.

[ShariJH]

17. Gravel

I'm signed up for Kucinich and Gravel's sites. Tomorrow I'll see who's blogging on Gravel's.

[ShariJH]

18. Basic Ideas

If we do organize some sort of protests, it should be done in a peaceful manner. Kucinich had a "peaceful" event outside WMUR tonight. All of the campaigns can bring signs, wear their buttons and shirts to "represent". Gravel has used a piece of silver electrical tape over his mouth to show that he's silenced. We could all stand with our signs with tape over our mouths. Kucinich has some celebrity backing (Sean Penn, and I think Melissa Ethridge). Edwards has Mellencamp. Wonder if they'd get involved? I'll check with the other campaign sites for contacts on Sunday.

[jillan]

19. Edwards - here we go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3965859

Just like I predicted.

[ShariJH]

24. The only issues.....

that I have with including the Edwards folks are that 1) He and Elizabeth have had quite a bit of media attention from day 1 2) Whenever I blog somewhere (including a non-partisan comment on the YouTube video), I get a smart ass or nasty reply (even when no reply is really warranted) from an Edwards person. Don't know why they've always been so cranky.

It's mainly the fact that they've been getting some media attention all along....not to the degree of HRC & BO, but still. The others haven't. Didn't matter how many endorsements Joe got in Iowa, we were hard pressed to find anything about them in the MSM. Kucinich's emergency FCC filing about the NH debate should have been big news IMO, but it wasn't.

[WheelWalker]

22. Exactly. Joe would be proud. You women ROCK!

[ShariJH]

25. Gravel Camp

The Gravel camp has many blogs, but I left a message on the main website re: alot of Bidenites still support the efforts of ALL candidates to be heard and the possibility of starting a group here.

I still need to leave messages with Kucinich and Dodd groups (if I can find Dodd folks). I think that one thing that we can do is set up a place for all of these campaigns to gather, and also for the ongoing campaigns to let US know what their current problems are. For example, Kucinich had that gathering outside the debate last night. If we'd all known in time, perhaps some of the NH Bidenites could have gone with them as a sign of support.