On Sunday, the Chicago Sun-Times gave Rahm Emanuel the gift of a front-page feature story called “Rahm on the Record” by reporter Fran Spielman. I wonder how many of the other Chicago mayoral candidates will get this kind of feature coronation-style press? The Chicago media, even at this point, appears to be giving Emanuel exalted status.
In the Sun-Times story’s Q&A format, there were few follow-up questions and little-to-no rebuttal. Mr. Emanuel was allowed to dismiss questions and had the last word every time to spin the more controversial aspects of his candidacy. In reference to the Blagojevich trial, Spielman asks, “You were wheeling and dealing about names anyway? Was that appropriate?” Rahm’s answer: “That’s a characterization. They’re prosecuting the governor, right?” However, I, at least, appreciated that some of the questions were tougher than the usual softballs. Spielman’s questions were not all “How are you feeling today, Rahm?”
Unfortunately, if recent events are any indication, “touchy feely” press is what the Chicago media will be trending for Emanuel. Anyone who contradicts or attempts to circumvent that trend will be attacked and vilified.
Last week, Big Journalism’s Dana Loesch posted an exclusive story and video about my tough questions to Rahm Emanuel at the Columbus Day Parade in Chicago. ABC7’s Charles Thomas did not like my questions and tried to protect Emanuel. The kicker was when CBS2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine threatened to “deck me” if I didn’t stop. (I have since filed a police report and we shall see what happens in Chicago. Is Jay Levine above the law? Stay tuned.)
Since then, I have to say, it has been a fascinating case study in MSM bias and character assassination – Chicago-style. The focus of the reporting and the commentary has been my “rude behavior.” Never mind that I was questioning Rahm “Deadfish” Emanuel who enjoys frequent use of his middle finger and four-letter words in polite conversation. Then, there’s that pesky violent eruption from Levine. Apparently, the Chicago media have a very unique, self-interested definition of “rude.” It’s the journalistic pot calling the conservative kettle black.
The media also seem to have a very unique definition of “journalism.” In Sunday’s Chicago Tribune in a feature commentary called “Rude Jerk or Tenacious Reporter,” columnist Eric Zorn took issue with my reporter “credentials.” In the article, he proclaims that I am not a “real reporter.” So, what qualifies as “real?” Does the First Amendment only protect people who work at the Chicago Tribune? How about freelance reporters? Bloggers? Everyday citizens? Moreover, Mr. Zorn, what if the “real” journalists are not asking “real” questions?
Instead of a debate on the merits, Zorn resorts to name calling. He uses words like “lightweight,” and “conservative pest” to pepper his commentary about me. Zorn even justified Levine’s violent threat by saying, “I’ve never seen evidence of this but I have seen reporters get very angry with imbeciles who hijack news conferences by pressing their partisan agendas.” Artful? Professional? Real “commentary” from a “real reporter?”
I’m laughing now at the “superior” journalist’s reasoning prowess.
Zorn himself landed a regular column at the Chicago Tribune after a measly four-month internship at the Miami Herald. He majored in creative writing. Can you spell P-R-I-V-I-L-E-G-E? Most Chicago media positions are secured in a culture of incest and inbreeding. It is a tightly controlled community of familiar faces that only hire within their circle. Consequently, not being one of them, is a badge of honor, not shame.
Members of the Chicago media have also tried to inject that I misrepresented my media affiliation during the attempted interview. Yet, in the video, it is very clear that I never said I was an employee of WIND-AM. I do say that I have a show on WIND and that is a fact. However, facts don’t mean very much in Chicago or in journalistic circles in general. Since I also write two columns for the Washington Times Communities and Big “B” blogs, maybe there is some kind of MSM baptism I need in order to ask questions to Rahm Emanuel. A special dispensation perhaps? Hmmm, Mao-Tse-Zorn?
One so-called Chicago conservative radio show host even screeched that I hadn’t shown “proper deference” to such reporters of legend as Levine and Thomas. Deference? So now we are supposed to bow?
Chicago is a town where conservative media aren’t really conservative and the lines between the good guys and the bad guys are blurred by media design. In the end, who will decide who gets to ask questions? Who gets to decide who is “real” and who is not? Rahm Emanuel’s friends in the Chicago media tell him that this is his kind of town. But if he actually listens to the Chicago people and their questions, he just might find out otherwise.