Thank you, Laura for your deep dive into the many flaws of this article. As you pointed out so skillfully, the article, Jeff Kaufman, and the vast majority of the readers exposed to it have very little knowledge of the Jewish community and what is, and what is not, Antisemitism.
Part of the battle is having the courage to say no, this isn't newsworthy. Most editors aren't going to do that. If they send a reporter to an event they are going to publish something, even if it means amplifying false talking points.
As a former reporter for the Gazette, among other papers in Iowa (and Texas) I can attest that those newspapers were run in loose fashion, which isn't surprising given the hectic nature of the work.
I would imagine that that is even more the case now as legacy outlets struggle to survive.
As for Harris' decision (if it was her decision) to tap Walz as her running mate instead of Shapiro, only she and her advisors know why that was done, which means that Kaufman was indulging in speculation.
That may be intellectually lazy but the fact is the statement was made by a political operative. In my extensive experience with such types I found that they did that sort of thing all the time.
In an ideal world newspapers would check the veracity of public statements, especially ones that are highly charged like Kaufman's.
In reality that rarely happens especially at small, local news organizations.
Anyone familiar with this sort of situation would know that already. Which makes me wonder what all the fuss is about.
Clearly newspapers are short-staffed generally. The Lee Newspapers capitol correspondent just left for another job out of state and that may be why they put someone who's not usually a political reporter on this story.
Editors need to be able to say no, we're not going to be stenographers for partisan spin.
Kaufman I have crossed paths with in the past, and Cedar County isn't exactly a hot bed of Democratic support. With that said, his comments reminded me of a sign I picked up In a garage sale somewhere,"I would agree with you, but then we would both be wrong!" In Jeff's case, much like Brena Bird, he is willing to do or say anything that will promote himself within the MAGA monster Republican party; the sole reason he currently is the Iowa party chair. Where he lands is strictly dependent on Trump winning. I think that truly is in question now, so I would expect Kaufman to say or do anything he can get away with to improve Trump's chances. If that goes away, so will Kaufman, and all the rest of these anti-government/ democracy thugs!
I think Trumpers will be in control of the Iowa GOP for a long time. Trump's going to win Iowa regardless. If he loses the election Kaufmann will probably just validate the false claims of election fraud like he did last time.
Kaufmann will go away if Trump loses? Like he did when Biden won? He's been the chair of the Republican party since 2014, before Trump was any kind of national force. I don't think national politics has as big an impact on his prospects as you imply. If Republicans start losing big-time in Iowa, that will be another matter.
Politics in Iowa have never moved very far very fast, no matter what the national parties do or don't do. I'm old enough to remember H.R. Gross who was followed by today's fossil Grassley. I would agree, if the bottom of the ticket starts move away from the Republicans, it will have an effect on Kaufman and his role as chair. Never have we been faced with such a challenge as Trump,, he knows no limits, he is so full of himself! Not like any politician I have known, especially when faced with a loss, is not willing to let it go without going to such great lengths to over turn the election. It has left a bad taste for many Republicans and most Democrats. It has to trickle down the ballot to the Senate and House. With the end of the first in the nation caucases, Iowa has dropped back to being a "fly over state" there wasn't much room for Iowan's on the National Convention Stage,so I imagine promoting oneself to a better job politically doesn't look real positive for Republicans and that should also calm down Kaufman and others who have been kissing up to Trump of late. If he loses and ends up going to jail, I would have to think that will put a lid on these crazy people and their antics to mimic Trump! Thanks for your remarks Kelcey!
I am old enough to face age discrimination, but not old enough to remember a time before Grassley was a Senator. I hope you are right, I'm just not very optimistic.
I have a much shorter refutation of Kaufmann's blather:
Didn't the Orange One have an opportunity to pick someone of Jewish background as his running mate instead of JD? What was wrong with picking Rep. Max Miller of Ohio? Or Rep. David Kutsoff of Tennessee?
Thank you, Laura for your deep dive into the many flaws of this article. As you pointed out so skillfully, the article, Jeff Kaufman, and the vast majority of the readers exposed to it have very little knowledge of the Jewish community and what is, and what is not, Antisemitism.
Yup. Gazette dropped ball. Kaufman bloviated. Lather rinse repeat.
Part of the battle is having the courage to say no, this isn't newsworthy. Most editors aren't going to do that. If they send a reporter to an event they are going to publish something, even if it means amplifying false talking points.
You continue to be the most awesome reporter in Iowa. Thank you.
Thank you for reading!
As a former reporter for the Gazette, among other papers in Iowa (and Texas) I can attest that those newspapers were run in loose fashion, which isn't surprising given the hectic nature of the work.
I would imagine that that is even more the case now as legacy outlets struggle to survive.
As for Harris' decision (if it was her decision) to tap Walz as her running mate instead of Shapiro, only she and her advisors know why that was done, which means that Kaufman was indulging in speculation.
That may be intellectually lazy but the fact is the statement was made by a political operative. In my extensive experience with such types I found that they did that sort of thing all the time.
In an ideal world newspapers would check the veracity of public statements, especially ones that are highly charged like Kaufman's.
In reality that rarely happens especially at small, local news organizations.
Anyone familiar with this sort of situation would know that already. Which makes me wonder what all the fuss is about.
Clearly newspapers are short-staffed generally. The Lee Newspapers capitol correspondent just left for another job out of state and that may be why they put someone who's not usually a political reporter on this story.
Editors need to be able to say no, we're not going to be stenographers for partisan spin.
Does the Gazette even have a newsroom anymore?
Certainly they do. They just recruited Jared Strong (previously of Iowa Capital Dispatch) who is one of the best reporters in Iowa.
Kaufman I have crossed paths with in the past, and Cedar County isn't exactly a hot bed of Democratic support. With that said, his comments reminded me of a sign I picked up In a garage sale somewhere,"I would agree with you, but then we would both be wrong!" In Jeff's case, much like Brena Bird, he is willing to do or say anything that will promote himself within the MAGA monster Republican party; the sole reason he currently is the Iowa party chair. Where he lands is strictly dependent on Trump winning. I think that truly is in question now, so I would expect Kaufman to say or do anything he can get away with to improve Trump's chances. If that goes away, so will Kaufman, and all the rest of these anti-government/ democracy thugs!
I think Trumpers will be in control of the Iowa GOP for a long time. Trump's going to win Iowa regardless. If he loses the election Kaufmann will probably just validate the false claims of election fraud like he did last time.
Kaufmann will go away if Trump loses? Like he did when Biden won? He's been the chair of the Republican party since 2014, before Trump was any kind of national force. I don't think national politics has as big an impact on his prospects as you imply. If Republicans start losing big-time in Iowa, that will be another matter.
Politics in Iowa have never moved very far very fast, no matter what the national parties do or don't do. I'm old enough to remember H.R. Gross who was followed by today's fossil Grassley. I would agree, if the bottom of the ticket starts move away from the Republicans, it will have an effect on Kaufman and his role as chair. Never have we been faced with such a challenge as Trump,, he knows no limits, he is so full of himself! Not like any politician I have known, especially when faced with a loss, is not willing to let it go without going to such great lengths to over turn the election. It has left a bad taste for many Republicans and most Democrats. It has to trickle down the ballot to the Senate and House. With the end of the first in the nation caucases, Iowa has dropped back to being a "fly over state" there wasn't much room for Iowan's on the National Convention Stage,so I imagine promoting oneself to a better job politically doesn't look real positive for Republicans and that should also calm down Kaufman and others who have been kissing up to Trump of late. If he loses and ends up going to jail, I would have to think that will put a lid on these crazy people and their antics to mimic Trump! Thanks for your remarks Kelcey!
I am old enough to face age discrimination, but not old enough to remember a time before Grassley was a Senator. I hope you are right, I'm just not very optimistic.
I have a much shorter refutation of Kaufmann's blather:
Didn't the Orange One have an opportunity to pick someone of Jewish background as his running mate instead of JD? What was wrong with picking Rep. Max Miller of Ohio? Or Rep. David Kutsoff of Tennessee?
Blatant antisemitism!
I don’t understand the fuss with calling out Kaufmann on his usual weirdo crap here.
Maybe if five major newspapers ran a full-length story centering a bullshit narrative involving your ethnic group, you would understand.
Sorry that I worded my response that way but I thought the article highlighted what aholes every one of those Republicans are.
Maybe
Lying recycled corporate "content" is destroying the nation, and Lee is among the worst of the worst
Thank you for this analysis, Laura! First rate and much needed.
Well done, Laura.