Residual Forces

FYI: Another Statewide Candidate has a radio show too!

If Bob Collins, a senior editor at Minnesota Public Radio, puts this on his blog, what does he put in the news?

He’s got a PAC, he says he wants to run, he’s moved to Minnesota. So how come Al Franken still is doing his radio show? (It’s a joke, don’t send answers).

This is of course a backhanded slap at Pawlenty’s radio show. I’m curious if Collins and the DFL are as concerned over Mike Erlanson’s Saturday show he’s doing on the local Air America affiliate? You know given the fact that he is running for Secretary of State, I would expect the same level of cynicism and outrage from the DFL and Collins as they have displayed towards Pawlenty.

But then again, MPR has long been in the pocket of the DFL, so there’s no need to joke about the absolute bias that is on display. I know some bloggers like Polinaut, and admittedly, it is a great clearinghouse of political stories. BUT! The commentary in this blog should be what people pay attention to.

This is a news organization’s blog operated by a member of their news paid team on company time. (No weekend or evening updates makes me jump to that conclusion) So it is a publicly funded partisan blog. (Collins pay and hosting costs) This was not some off the street hire of an established blogger. This is one of their own. Basically, they are approving of what he is writing. I have to wonder how much of the personal commentary that is on Polinaut is also in the news content from MPR.

Collins is a great blogger. You never have a doubt where he’s coming from or what he’s pushing. He writes great for a blogger. But keep in mind he is a media guy. One of those people we expect to give to give it to us straight. I’d love to know if MPR would welcome regular bloggers into the realm of journalism or the airwaves? If Collins can play dual roles of a journalist and blogger, why can’t others in the Twin Cities?