The N&O Misses One

Among my jobs at the N&O in the early 70s were copy editor and night city editor. I still read the paper with an editor’s eye.
 
So I just about swallowed my eyeshade when I read today’s N&O profile of Raleigh mayoral candidate Randall Williams.
 
How do you write that story without mentioning that Williams was recruited to run by former Mayor and state GOP Chairman Tom Fetzer? Doesn’t that tell voters something they need to know in evaluating Williams?
 
I’m not suggesting that Tom’s support is bad. Tom is my friend, and I’m intrigued by any first-time candidate that captures his attention. I want to know: Why?
 
Especially since Williams seems politically naïve, saying his work overseas equips him to bring people together. He sounds like Barack Obama promising to change the tone in Washington.
 
In fact, didn’t Williams once say he had supported Obama? (I’m starting to like him more and more!)
 
Shouldn’t THAT fact have been in the story, too?
 
Instead, we learned a lot about Williams’ jogging habits, his medical experience and his work overseas. A lot of fluff.
 
Where’s the beef?
Avatar photo

Gary Pearce

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts

The N&O Misses One

Among my jobs at the N&O in the early 70s were copy editor and night city editor. I still read the paper with an editor’s eye.
 
So I just about swallowed my eyeshade when I read today’s N&O profile of Raleigh mayoral candidate Randall Williams.
 
How do you write that story without mentioning that Williams was recruited to run by former Mayor and state GOP Chairman Tom Fetzer? Doesn’t that tell voters something they need to know in evaluating Williams?
 
I’m not suggesting that Tom’s support is bad. Tom is my friend, and I’m intrigued by any first-time candidate that captures his attention. I want to know: Why?
 
Especially since Williams seems politically naïve, saying his work overseas equips him to bring people together. He sounds like Barack Obama promising to change the tone in Washington.
 
In fact, didn’t Williams once say he had supported Obama? (I’m starting to like him more and more!)
 
Shouldn’t THAT fact have been in the story, too?
 
Instead, we learned a lot about Williams’ jogging habits, his medical experience and his work overseas. A lot of fluff.
 
Where’s the beef?
Avatar photo

Gary Pearce

Categories

Archives