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Topic: Letters Sent to Romenesko
Date/Time: 12/11/2007 1:31:45 PM
Title: Perry should ignore attacks from the couch
Posted By: Jim Romenesko
 
From ADAM NAGOURNEY, New York Times: Can I, as someone who practically lives in Iowa these days, weigh in on this pounding of Perry Bacon Jr.?

To argue that the story in some form should not have been done suggests a lack of understanding of politics and what is going on in Iowa. These are not just idle or random rumors: Mr. Obama himself considers them enough of a threat that he has taken it on directly. (From a story written by Jeff Zeleny in The Times on Nov. 10: ''You have e-mails saying that I'm a Muslim plant that's trying to take over America,'' Mr. Obama told voters the other day at a rally in eastern Iowa. ''If you get this e-mail from someone you know, set the record straight.'') Two Clinton volunteers were fired this week for passing on similar e-mails.

You might not might not like the way the Post played it or framed the story, but I just don’t think anyone can say that it is not a legitimate topic for a story. This IS going on in Iowa. This kind of activity takes place in campaigns (think the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary); it is part of our job to report when it is going on, attempt to figure out who is pressing it and – just as important – debunk it. I applaud Perry for tacking the task.

Finally, speaking as a someone who is (gulp) 53 years old, I am distressed at the notion that someone under-30 should be barred from writing front page stories about the presidential campaign for the Washington Post or the New York Times. I applaud Perry Bacon and any other under-30 person who wants to join this totally great business. I welcome their energy, their insights, their views of the world (just don’t beat me!). It strikes me as more noble than a lot of these gratuitous attacks coming in from the couches, and I hope that Perry ignores them and soldiers on. [Permalink]

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