Longtime lawmaker defends DeWeese against anonymous attacks
Several weeks ago, the Harrisburg Patriot-News printed a lengthy article allegedly based on the opinions of 153 unnamed Pennsylvania state legislators, senators, staff members and lobbyists. A lot of good men and women – good public servants – saw their reputations trashed, without ever being given the chance to respond. I have been in Harrisburg almost 21 years, 18 of them as a member of the House. I know practically every member of both chambers, most of the staff and all of the lobbyists. And you know what? To this day, I have not been able to find a single person who will admit to being interviewed by the Patriot-News.
Hmmmmmm……
When I was a journalism student at the University of Notre Dame, my professors constantly preached the “gospel of anonymous sources.” The first commandment was profound. Thou shall not trash a person’s reputation with the words of a critic who is too chicken to attach his or her name.”
When I read the Patriot-News article, it was apparent the reporter missed class that day. Then I saw Mike Ellis’s editorial in the June 29 Herald-Standard, “DeWeese’s leadership fares poorly in survey,” in which he basically reprinted the entire Patriot-News story. Looks like Mike played hooky that day as well.
Everyone in the state capitol suspects that the Patriot-News reporter just doesn’t like House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese. Everyone in the world knows that the Herald-Standard hates Bill’s guts. However, this all-too-transparent, not too clever attempt to hide personal bias behind 153 anonymous “insiders” allegedly surveyed just doesn’t cut it.
Ellis’s cheap regurgitation of the National Enquirer-like gossip is a journalistic disgrace. Why? Because Ellis has no idea who was interviewed, or even if the reporter interviewed anyone at all.
For all Ellis knows, the writer may have talked to a disgruntled staff person, a lobbyist whose legislation Bill has not supported, or a guy on the street who does not like Bill’s bow ties.
Worse yet, despite the gallons of ink wasted on this story, Bill DeWeese never has been given a chance to respond.
You guys can do better than that. Before the Iraq war, we even gave Saddam Hussein a chance to defend himself on CBS. Remember?
As a former reporter myself, I refuse to stand idly by and watch my former profession, or my friend, Bill DeWeese, so thoroughly debased . Allow me go on the record and set straight the value and effectiveness of the House Democratic leader, who is my long-time colleague, and, as I said a good friend.
First, let’s deal with the personal attacks; because this is not the first time reporters have taken gratuitous shots at Bill on the subject of his ex-wife.
Bill’s divorced, OK? It was emotional. It was difficult. But it’s yesterday’s news. Get over it.
Furthermore, it was grossly irresponsible for the Patriot-News to print – and the Herald-Standard to echo – that Bill is hampering Gov. Rendell’s efforts to rally House Democrats behind his proposals.
No, on second thought, it’s more than irresponsible; it’s just not true.
Bill has encouraged every Democratic House member to support the governor, most obviously by personally asking each of us to sponsor legislation advancing the governor’s plan for a new Pennsylvania, which by the way is a pretty good plan for digging Pennsylvania’s public school and property tax payers out of the hole left behind by the last administration.
Now, I admit the details of the governor’s plan may not be as juicy as yet another story about Bill’s former marriage, but it will affect the lives of millions of Pennsylvanians, who want property tax cuts, better education and new jobs.
According to my old college textbook, Journalism 101, that makes it a hell of a lot more newsworthy than another story about Bill and Holly.
Also, I want to take issue with the assertion that 40 House Democrats want Bill DeWeese removed from his leadership post, as the article alleged – once again naming no names. Geez, if that was the case, why didn’t any of the “unnamed Democrats,” run against Bill last year? I was present when Bill was re-elected leader, and I can report (accurately) that he ran unopposed, and was unanimously re-elected. When he had opposition a few sessions back he won by the count of 81-19 in a secret ballot.
Then again, why let facts get in the way of a good story.
Look, I have known Bill DeWeese as a fellow rank-and-file member, as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, as House majority and minority leader, as Speaker of the House, and, most importantly as a friend. During that time, I have come to respect him as a man who cares deeply about things that more elected officials ought to care about – affordable health care, real property tax reform, better public schools and good jobs for every man and woman who wants one.
Bill cares personally for his constituents who are, in my opinion, very fortunate to have him as their state representative. He similarly cares for every staff member, as well as every legislator with whom he serves.
He deeply reveres the institution we call the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and fights constantly to preserve the people’s participation in our representative democracy.
I challenge any one of those 153 invisible “insiders” who allegedly spoke with the Patriot-News, to disagree with me. However this time, there is one stipulation, you got to show some guts and sign your name.
Frank LaGrotta is a Democratic lawmaker representing parts of Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties.