Congratulations Fired Up! ... But how will Howard get credentialed?

While engaged in the daily review of my favorite blogs I learned that Fired Up! Missouri will be part of the Blogger Corps for the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Congratulations!

I mean it! While Fired Up! has taken shots at yours truly and other members of the mainstream media in the past ... it is only appropriate to say mazel tov to all those in radio, television, newspapers, and Internet media when good news is delivered. Fired Up! will be joining representatives of the Missourinet, Kansas City Star, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Associated Press and others from Missouri who will be in Denver for the big event. The others I have mentioned with be in the Twin Cities for the Republican National Convention, as well, and I am guessing Fired Up! will not ... but who knows ... there's still some time.

And, as someone who cares for fellow media people ... including bloggers ... I must raise a concern.  Having covered political conventions in the past and scheduled to do so again this year I must caution my friends at Fired Up! about credentialing. You see ... the Democrats and Republicans are kind of sticky about the whole concept of using pseudonyms in place of real names. It's not a problem for Steve Walsh and Brent Martin of the Missourinet ... or Jo Mannies of the Post-Dispatch ... of Steve Kraske of the K.C. Star ... or David Lieb of A.P. But it might pose a problem for someone claiming to be Howard Beale.

I only raise this issue because I care. I look forward to reading the contributions of the Fired Up! force at the Democratic Convention and it would be a tragedy ... okay, perhaps "tragedy" is too strong a word ... but it would certainly be a shame if the Fired Up! representatives were denied their credentials because they chose to remain behind the curtain. It's probably a safe bet that Roy Temple will be there ... but just about everyone who covers Missouri politics already knows Roy. What about the others? Will Howard Beale and others be denied access because of a belief that reporters and journalists - mainstream and bloggers - should have a right to secrecy?

I hope not! And to show how much I care ... I am going to call on all readers of this blog to get in touch with the Missouri Democratic Party ... with the DNC in Washington ... and with the committee organizing the 2008 Convention. I am asking you to go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell, "I'm as mad as Hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" Tell them you want people who are given access to presidential candidates to be able to keep their true identities secret. What is all this garbage about openness? It's clearly overrated! If we all join together we can save the process for Howard Beale and the Howard Beales of the future.

Yes folks ... I envision the day when names on credentials will be meaningless ... a day when the media class at conventions is dominated by people using pseudonyms. It's only a dream ... but one worth holding onto. Congratulations, again, Fired Up! ... we'll see you at the conventions - But will we know it?"

- Steve Walsh

Comments

[Darren]

This from a man whose paper calls John Edwards the "Breck Girl."
Ah, the credentials (and responsibility!) of mainstream journalism.

[C]

Uhm, correct me if I am wrong, Walsh, but you do not work for a newspaper. YOU WORKS FOR A RADIO NETWORK, CORRECT?!?!?!?! That's why this blog is posted on the missourinet.com site. Jeez ... I apologize Steve for this poster's obvious lack of understanding of the difference between a newspaper and a radio network. I thought it was clear ...

[Steve Walsh]

Hey, guys ... Sorry I couldn't respond earlier ... but it's been such a nutty last few days in the Capitol. For the record, let me say that the Missourinet - a radio network - has not referred to John Edwards as "the Breck Girl." That is a reference made in the Kansas City Star's Prime Buzz. I read the KC Star every day ... but I do not write for it. As for comments about John Edwards, allow me to go so far as to say the Missourinet has never - to my knowledge - made fun of Edwards. If memory serves correct, the last reference we made to Edwards involved his visit to Jefferson City the day before he pulled out of the race for the White House. Since he pulled out we have found no reason to mention his name. And there would be no reason now other than my desire to set the record straight.

[localyokel]

The only thing we need to know about a blogger is how much integrity goes into his or her work. That becomes obvious after reading a a few times. Howard Beal, whoever he is, has proven integrity and I applaud the blog and will look forward to his outlook from the convention floor.

[Darren]

I just wanted to see if anyone else was reading...

[Jim Durbin]

There's not a chance Howard Beale will report from the convention floor, as the resulting evidence of an employee from Robin Carnahan's office writing for FiredUp by using state computers would put their press exemption at risk.