Congressional Coverage Balance

I said I wasn't going to take a side publicly in the Congressional race because the last time I took a side in a race, I ended up being embarrassed by the conduct of person so badly that I made a spoof video making fun of a video of support I did for that candidate in a previous election.

But I recently had a phone conversation with a friend, who's opinion means a lot to me. Which is a big deal because most of the time I could give a rat's ass what people think. In the conversation, the friend told me that she felt that I was "very pro-Reyes" in my writing.

I remember being irritated by that comment. And in hindsight, its probably one of the few times I can recall that I actually under-reacted.

So let me be clear about something. I'm not "pro-Reyes". I'm pro fairness. And honestly, the media have been very pro-O'Rourke.

There is a clear media bias in favor of Beto O'Rourke in the Congressional race.

He's smart, young, dynamic, etc, so its not a surprise that there is that bias. Its feakin' everywhere in the media. Its in the type of stories being covered, the timing of stories, the angles, the headlines, and the pictures.

If you want, I would be happy to write a piece laying out every time that I have noticed it so far. And to give O'Rourke an additional boost, he's got his political allies helping him out. County Judge Veronica Escobar and City Reps Byrd and Ortega are doing their best to get their friend elected.

Personally, I think that is why a lot of things are being pushed in the media lately. From where I sit, its a calculated political strategy on their part.

So the media coverage is slanted to give O'Rourke an edge and political allies are tag-teaming with their pal to gang up on the old man.

What irritated me about the remark from my friend is this. With all of that in favor of O'Rourke, is it really necessary to have ALL the decks stacked in his favor?

Is that even healthy for this community?

No candidate can have everything go their way.

Nor SHOULD they!

I am a blogger. Yes, I have great traffic. But lets be honest, I don't have anywhere near the readership as one news broadcast on even the lamest stations in town. I am not even in the same universe as the El Paso Times.

Maybe in political circles I might be the pound-for-pound champ, but honestly, how many people like that are even in this town? Not many.

So frankly, I'm calling bullshit on this one. I am literally the only public person that is even offering the slightest bit of critical analysis of Beto O'Rourke. LITERALLY, THE ONLY ONE!

And you people are upset about that?

Hey remember the time that I was the only one in town that was supporting a white Republican over a Chicano Democrat for a judicial seat? I sure as hell do. And remind me really quick....who was right about that one?

Where is that judge sitting now? On the bench or in a jail cell?

So I'm used to being criticized for my positions, but I don't have a problem sticking to my guns if I know I'm right.

But what bothers me most about the whole conversation is the idea that I am somehow wrong for being the only one to stand up to the establishment on this one and offer a little counter-balance to one-sided coverage and conversations.

One sided coverage is irresponsible and does a disservice to this community. Last week we saw a one-sided story that was inaccurate. Thankfully that was corrected and hopefully today at Commissioner's Court, cooler heads will prevail.

And I don't intend to take sides. But I also don't like to see everyone gang up on one person with no balance. There is such a thing as fairness. And I think a lot of things have been unfair. I would like to think we live in a good community filled with people that are basically good. If you saw a bunch of popular kids ganging up and trying to take someone's lunch money in the play ground, wouldn't you try to separate everyone and get to the bottom of things?

Yes you would. And so would I.

I've been very critical of the Congressman. I probably will be again. Likely during this campaign. But lets stop acting like this is a fair fight, because it isn't. And its probably not going to be.

And guess who loses in that case?

We do.

I would prefer to call this race down the middle. I like both candidates. I don't think either of them are bad guys. Frankly it would be easier for me if one of them were the devil. But they aren't they are both good guys that love their family, serve their communities, and want what is best for El Paso.

Sure, the political camps are going to demonize each other and try to make the other guy out to be the devil, but I'm not falling for it. From either side. I know them both guys and neither one of them are anywhere near as bad as their press releases make them out to be.

I know Beto O'Rourke better than I know the Congressman. But they are both good people.

I just don't like seeing things so one sided. And O'Rourke has had it all his way. If I have to lay it out point-by-point to prove it, I will.

Its time that there was some balance in the coverage. I'm sick of being the only person offering critical analysis of O'Rourke.

This community will be better off with some balance so that we can stop talking about satellite distractions and get to a real conversation about issues facing this community.