Running Out The Clock

Dean Smith knew how to take the air out of the ball. Once he had the lead he had his team run the 4 corners offense, which is really just as much a defense as it is an offense, and ran out the clock. Sure he won. He won a lot. But the system, in this case college basketball, finally stepped in to correct what appeared to be an abuse of the rules, and instituted the shot clock. North Carolina is still a powerhouse, but basketball is now a much better game.

There is no shot clock in politics. Got a lead or a weak opponent and a politician can stall until the clock runs out at 7:30 PM on the first Tuesday in November. And if the only election that ever matters is the current one, then all is right in the world. But, some of us believe that elections are more important than any one candidate, or race, or party. That principle has been on display here this last week or so.

The issue that is burning up Facebook, the blogosphere, and what is sure to be the topic of journalism schools for years to come are the actions of the North East Ohio Media Group (NEOMG) and the (formerly Cleveland) Plain Dealer. Governor John Kasich, running with a big lead and what appears to be a lot of help, refused to debate his Democratic opponent Ed Fitzgerald. And when they finally did appear in the same room, he pretty much refused to acknowledge that Fitzgerald even existed. The video of their endorsement interview, streamed live, was the only unscripted insight Ohioans had into the two major party candidates. It was hardly flattering.

What did the NEOMG do with a video that failed to enhance the already determined storyline? They took it down. What did the Plain Dealer say about this newsworthy event? NOTHING. Both the NEOMG and the Plain Dealer are running out the clock. A win is a win. Maybe we’ll get an extra Sudoku in future Sunday papers.

I have been watching someone else run out the clock. Last month I wrote about my conversation with a member or Congressman Joyce’s staff.

• October 9th - Talked with the staffer who promised to have someone from the legislative committee get back to me.
• October 24th – Got a call from the same staffer who left a message that SHE was now ready to answer my questions.
• October 28th – Finally talked again with the original staffer. She clarified her original statement. Yes the Congressman would vote again for the repeal of Obamacare (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) but he understood that nothing was going to change until after the next presidential election. She asked me if I was familiar with the Republican alternative, The American Health Care Reform Act. I confessed that I wasn’t and quickly brought it up on my screen. A quick glance brought up several questions:

Why isn’t Congressman Joyce a co-sponsor? What portions of the law does he endorse? What sections, specifically, would he change?

She begged off and said that someone from the legislative committee would get back to me. Minutes later I got an email from the legislative aide who asked me to send him my questions by email.

Click here to find out what happened next.