Until just a few minutes ago, there was a lengthy post in this spot, entitled "Free Amy" that was themed around the idea that our (now former) Central Coast FR Correspondent, Amy Thoma, took a position with the Assembly Republican Caucus, and in that role, under the current leader, she was not being allowed to post.
It turns out that it is the official position of the Assembly Republican Caucus that none of their staff members may write for publications under their own names (whether that be the Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, or (alas!) The FlashReport.
I have preserved the original comment string from the "Free Amy" post — but encourage others as we move the dialogue away from poor Amy and her having to ‘retire’ as our Central Coast Correspondent, and maybe focus on the bigger question – which is whether or not it is a good idea or a bad idea for employees of the Assembly Republican Caucus to not have permission to get out there and pen some works under their own names?
My feeling on this (which are different than my good friend Karen Hanretty’s below) is that the more we get conservatives out there doing stuff, whether on the record or behind the scenes, the better. Of course responsibility must be excercized by the staffer in question.
Anyways, I will go ahead and pull-down poor Amy’s photo from the blog roll on the left, and hang out our shingle: The FlashReport is officially looking for a new Central Coast Correspondent, willing to look at the political goings-on from Santa Cruz all of the way down to Ventura County, along the coast. Anyone interested? Drop me a note.
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
The Republican Party is the party of ideas. Let Amy write and speak and blog and say whatever she wants.
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
But some in the Republican Party only approve of ideas in lock-step with the Establishment and those who are “leaders” within our ranks.
May Amy’s pen be free again!
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
I respectfully disagree with Fleishman on the issue of Amy Thoma blogging while under the employment of the Assembly Republican Caucus.
When I worked for the Senate Republican Caucus, it was policy that staff does not make news. Staff does not appear on telelvision or radio unless specifically directed to do so. Staff could be fired for being quoted in a newspaper without permission.
There is no pride of ownership when working in the building. Everything is done for the purpose of promoting the elected member, not the unelected staffer.
There is a time and a place for everything. Caucus staff blogging about their personal opinions on politics is not appropriate. Should she blog about one candidate over another in a primary election? Should she blog about a bill she disagrees with that is introduced by a member of the Republican caucus?
Since when do employees get to dictate to their employers the terms of their employment? And since when is it appropriate to go over the head of Assembly Republican Leader to pressure him into making a personnel decision about a staffer?
I’m sure Amy will blog again one day when she has a different job under different circumstances. And I am quite sure that Assembly Republican Leader George Plescia has more pressing issues to deal with.
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
Karen (may I use your first name?), while I stated this before, I actually think that it is a bit self-limiting of us to say that employees of the Republican Caucus should not have a personal presence on a website. The next natural extension is that these folks should not run for office, serve in leadership roles in the party, or be involved in any activity that could put them in the public eye.
Clearly Amy (or whomever) would need to exercize some judgement about what they do or do not post on the web — your examples of opposing legislation introduced by a GOPer, or blogging about primary candidates are good ones of things that someone in Amy’s position should avoid.
But I believe that a ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ and we should be encouraging and nurturing staffers to do more, not do less. Responsible people can do a lot more to help their bosses by being more active, not less.
That said, as for ‘going over anyone’s head’ — I don’t think I am doing that. Hey, I blogged for months about the importance of a fiscally responsible bond package, and the leader didn’t care about all of that…
So I figure this will make a lot of people aware of an important issue, and allow for some dialogue!
(As an aside, I work for an elected official myself… Happily one that is permissive, not restrictive, of my off-duty hobby.)
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
Staffers blogging. What’s next? Hooters waitresses demanding the right to wear long sleeves and trousers? Every job comes with conditions and limitations. Demanding “rights” for an employee sounds rather liberal-minded to me.
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
OK. So staffers are not allowed to blog, or comment, or what have you.
Thus they will simply move to the realm on “anonymous” or pseudonym commentary.
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
Of course Amy can’t blog. Why would the GOP Caucus want someone on the payroll to have access to the most well read California GOP blog? Doug LaMalfa needs to watch his back
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
And now for something completely Different…
CONGRATULATIONS to AMY on her fine new job.
And major Kudos to the ARC for making the hire.
As they used to say on the old, “Hee Haw” TV
show, here is a big S A L U T E to Our Amy !
And now for something completely Different…
CONGRATULATIONS to AMY on her fine new job.
And major Kudos to the ARC for making the hire.
As they used to say on the old, “Hee Haw” TV
show, here is a big S A L U T E to Our Amy !
May 23rd, 2006 at 12:00 am
As the late Senator Maddy told me on my first day as his Press Secretary, “No one votes for you.” A political staffer’s job is to selflessly dedicate their time to advancing the interests their Member, candidate or Caucus. If you have something brilliant to say, then it should go under the byline of someone seeking votes. Except of course for blog items about staffers being allowed to post blog items…
May 24th, 2006 at 12:00 am
As a guy who served on a city council and who had a newspaper column while working for a legislator, and who now works for a five-member public body while blogging, I’ve always known where my bread is buttered, and when and where to differentiate between making policy, carrying it out, and expressing my own opinion. There is still room for all, but you have to police yourself. Methinks Amy could do so as well.