9News aired Wadhams' criticism of Democrats, but no Democratic Party officials' response

Summary: A 9News report about "the logistics" of Denver's hosting of the Democratic National Convention in August 2008 featured Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dick Wadhams' comment that Democrats will "have to talk about" what he termed "their very liberal platform." But, in the latest example of media outlets uncritically providing a platform for Wadhams' political statements, 9News provided no Democratic response to his assertions.

A July 26 KUSA 9News at 5 p.m. report about Denver's hosting of the 2008 Democratic National Convention quoted Colorado Republican Party chairman Dick Wadhams as saying the convention would be "good for Republicans" because "the Democrats have to talk about" what he "think[s] will be their very liberal platform." Although 9News reporter Adam Schrager interviewed the head of the Democratic National Convention Committee, Leah Daughtry, about the potential impact of the convention on Denver residents, the report did not include Democrats' response to Wadhams' assertion that politically, the event will be "good for Republicans."

The 9News report, also posted July 26 on its website, is the latest example of Colorado media outlets providing Wadhams with a platform for making political statements without including comments from Democratic lawmakers or party officials for balance, as Colorado Media Matters has noted repeatedly (here, here, here, here, and here).

As 9News co-anchor Adele Arakawa reported, "The largest convention in Colorado history will not have a major impact on metro-area residents unless they want to be part of it. That's the message from the head of the Democratic National Convention Committee." She then introduced Schrager, who further reported, "Leah Daughtry is [a] minister and born in New York, and that city's reputation for straight talk is exemplified in the person the Democrats have chosen to run the convention. She believes without doubt that Denver will embrace next August's event."

Following additional commentary from Daughtry regarding convention logistics and public involvement, Schrager's report aired Wadhams' remark that the event will be good for Denver "from an economic standpoint, from a visibility standpoint." After Schrager stated, "Dick Wadhams runs Colorado's Republican Party. Politically, he can't wait for next August," the report showed Wadhams asserting, "It's [the convention] good for Republicans. To have them in town, to ... have the ... Democrats have to talk about what I think will be their very liberal platform." But rather than providing Democrats' response to Wadhams' political characterization of the party's platform as "very liberal," the report instead returned to a discussion of what Schrager later described as "the nuts and bolts, the logistics of the weeklong event."

Similarly, the article on 9News' website reported that "Colorado's Republicans are also welcoming the DNC to town" and further quoted Wadhams as saying, "I would also say, it's good for Republicans to have them in town, to have the Democrats talk about what I believe will be their very liberal platform, their very liberal nominees."

From the July 26 broadcast of KUSA's 9News at 5 p.m.:

ARAKAWA: The largest convention in Colorado history will not have a major impact on metro-area residents unless they want to be part of it. That's the message from the head of the Democratic National Convention Committee. 9News reporter Adam Schrager joins us. Adam, the group officially opened its offices today in downtown Denver.

SCHRAGER: Adele, it's an environmentally conscious office that will employ up to 200 people -- some of them local hires -- by next summer. Leah Daughtry is minister and born in New York, and that city's reputation for straight talk is exemplified in the person the Democrats have chosen to run the convention. She believes without doubt that Denver will embrace next August's event.

[begin video clip]

DAUGHTRY: I think for Denver residents it will be business as usual. I don't think they'll see very much disruption.

SCHRAGER: Leah Daughtry and her Democratic National Convention staff want to smooth over any possible cracks in public support.

DAUGHTRY: I think there's an opportunity for those who want to be involved to get involved and be engaged in the political process.

SCHRAGER: With tens of thousands of delegates and media descending on the Pepsi Center next August, Daughtry has heard fears of traffic gridlock, of pedestrian congestion, and she wants to erase them.

DAUGHTRY: The difference in this convention and, and others that we've done is that the Pepsi Center's located right downtown, so you don't have to cordon off a lot of streets and close down traffic to get delegates in and out. People are able to walk to the convention center.

SCHRAGER: She plans to take the event to the city, hosting a series of "convention conversations" with the public.

DAUGHTRY: We don't want it to be a scripted forum, but really open and so folks can feel free to ask the questions that they want to ask.

WADHAMS: It's good for our community to have them in town from an economic standpoint, from a visibility standpoint.

SCHRAGER: Dick Wadhams runs Colorado's Republican Party. Politically, he can't wait for next August.

WADHAMS: It's good for Republicans. To have them in town, to, to have the -- the Democrats have to talk about what I think will be their very liberal platform --

SCHRAGER: Daughtry, meanwhile, has no worries she can find the 10,000 volunteers needed for the Democratic convention. Some of them might be able to help decorate the new office.

DAUGHTRY: It, it becomes a time to rejoice in all that is America and all that is good about this country.

[end video clip]

SCHRAGER: Now, Daughtry describes her role as the nuts and bolts, the logistics of the weeklong event. The speakers and the content will be decided by the nominee. Daughtry was asked what if, for the first time since 1968, there is no clear nominee among the eight current candidates. Well, she said her job wouldn't change, but also said, Adele, "Wow, wouldn't that be exciting?"

ARAKAWA: Indeed. Thanks a lot, Adam.

SCHRAGER: Thank you.

ARAKAWA: The first convention conversation is set for September with Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Daughtry says she will hold at least 10, some of which will be in other Rocky Mountain states.

—J.S.W.