« Reason number 51,708 to choose someone other than Hillary Clinton | Main | VeeDub plant talk accelerates »
May 19, 2008
No Tuke for you!
I had planned to do a companion post to the one covering Mike Padgett's visit last week, but today's luncheon with special guest Bob Tuke turned out to be closed to the press. I wasn't the only one who had thought differently, and they asked each of us to leave.
It seems as though there was a communication mix-up between the campaign and the local hosts. I have been in contact with John Bailes, Hamilton County Democratic Party chair, and with Chris Song, Communications Director of the Tuke for Tennessee campaign; and I'm still not sure how or when the wires got crossed, but it is clear to me now that the Tuke campaign always intended for the luncheon to be open only to guests with donations in hand. Fair enough. I recently read about a Nashville-area blogger being denied admittance to a Michelle Obama event. This type of fundraiser is standard, as notes the first commenter here.
It does make one wonder, as another reporter pointed out, why the campaign staffers weren't able to think on their feet today, given that mixed signals accidentally brought a couple of journalists their way, and perhaps offer up their candidate for a brief interview either before or after the proceedings. Coverage is coverage, after all — and I realize that I am giving the campaign a little press by blogging about my experience today. (I also felt it necessary to explain why I am not writing about what went on inside the luncheon after announcing earlier that I would be.)
I have received assurances from the Tuke campaign that they will be in touch when the candidate will be in town for a public event. As always, this site will bring you updates on this and other important elections that affect the Tennessee Valley.
US Senate Elections | By joe lance | 06:16 PM