First I have to say that I agree, Kingsport times news and Johnson city press have been very neglectful to both me and Rob concerning the issues our campaign. I like Rob have received invitations from the Bristol Harold Courier, Knoxville Sentinel news, The Greenville Sun, and the Morristown citizen tribune etc.

I was astounded at Hank Hayes bias remarks, “Neither of the Democratic candidates in this 1st Congressional District race have ever called me.” Why should we contact him? He is the reporter who is responsible in covering political events! In addition,
He says, “I don’t think either of them filed a financial disclosure report with the Federal Election Commission. That suggests they have raised no money to run a campaign. And I have seen nothing to suggest that the Tennessee Democratic Party is supporting them. If a candidate is not going to actively raise money, put together an organization and be out there trying to attract attention, do you think they deserve coverage?” He’s the reporter that is to give fair and balance reporting, regardless of campaign contributions! I’ve had a few serious contributors who had looked into my campaign and back out. I guess they felt it was lost cause. After 130 years of Republican tradition I am sure it is hard to break away.

However, there is one comment he did make that is true, “And I have seen nothing to suggest that the Tennessee Democratic Party is supporting them.” I have been in the race now for over three months, and personally, I’ve received no support or backing from the party. No calls for speaking engagements or any other support for my candidacy. It has all been a one-horse show. I’ve spent countless hours answering e-mails, handling all the mail responses, handling all the media coverage events for the campaign, and at the same time trying to muster funding for campaign to no avail. In addition, working 40 plus hours a week in a blue-collar job, and trying to find time for the family has been very stressing to say the least. So, if anyone is wondering why I’ve not attended many of the Democratic Party events in the area, it due largely for lack of time and resources to do so.

Personally, I think that the candidate who receives the big PAC and special interests monies it should be alarming to the people of our district. When David Davis started his re-election bid he had one million dollars cash on hand, in addition he raised another roughly half million dollars, for a job that will only pay him $310,200.00 in his two year term in office! I believe it should take no more funding to run for an office, than to what that office will pay. Otherwise it is just plain immoral and corrupt. In addition, that politician will always act in the behest of the special interests, and NOT to the people he or she is supposed to represent. Believe me, I have seen David Davis’s voting record, and it has not always been to our best interests!

If any one is interested you can visit my website http://www.freewebs.com/michaeldoniheforcongress2008 There you will find where I stand on the issues, my concerns for our district and the nation as a whole. You can also Google me as well by simply typing in my name in parentheses, “Michael Donihe” by doing so you can read articles I’ve written and interviews during the campaign.

For Immediate Release

July 9, 2008

You can read below how Hank Hayes of the Kingsport Times-News treats concerned citizens who ask why he doesn’t cover Rob Russell (or any other Democratic First District House candidate) at all, while he somehow manages to make up enough news to put Phil Roe and David Davis on the Times-News cover three-four times a week.

And, for the record, I have sent press releases to the Times-News on several issues, but never gotten a response. Other well-established news entities in the region — The Bristol Herald-Courier, The Greeneville Sun, WBIR-TV (Knoxville), The Johnson City Press — haven’t required me to call them in order to get coverage. Is Hank Hayes so busy chasing Republicans that he can’t pick up the phone?

I haven’t filed FEC papers yet because I haven’t raised enough money ($5,000 raised or spent is the cut-off) to warrant it. If I haven’t fulfilled Hank Hayes’s monetary criteria for being a viable candidate, well, I don’t apologize. During these hard economic times I’m not going to go around with my hands out or reach into people’s wallets at the same time I’m trying to help them.

The original email and Hayes’s reply are below:

—- Original Message —–
From: _________
To: hhayes@timesnews.net
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 3:46 PM
Subject: Where is the Democratic point of view?

I have been reading quite a bit about the Republican candidates’ views and have read and re-read the articles in the Times-News, as I feel this election is very important. I am wondering, though, where is the Democratic perspective and why aren’t Democratic candidates being interviewed concerning these matters, or cited when they speak at events? WBIR-TV did a 30 minute show and 2 Democratic candidates, Rob Russell and Michael Donihe, and one Republican, Michael Saabri showed up, but Roe and Davis were no-shows. I found no mention of this in the paper.

Contrary to the rhetoric around these parts, there are quite a few Democrats, and we do deserve to hear points of view that are not necessarily Republican. One would almost say that the Democratic point of view is being ignored on purpose. It is kind of like 2006, when David Davis arrogantly refused to debate his Democratic opponent. What was he afraid of?

Sincerely,
Mary _______
Kingsport

From: Hank Hayes
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:22 AM
To: Susan A
Subject: Re: Where is the Democratic point of view?

Hello:

Thank you for the feedback.

And thank you for reading the T-N.

I tell people, both Republicans and Democrats, that “For me to cover your campaign, there has to be one.” It makes people mad, but that’s the way I feel.

Neither of the Democratic candidates in this 1st Congressional District race have ever called me.

I don’t think either of them filed a financial disclosure report with the Federal Election Commission. That suggests they have raised no money to run a campaign. And I have seen nothing to suggest that the Tennessee Democratic Party is supporting them.

If a candidate is not going to actively raise money, put together an organization and be out there trying to attract attention, do you think they deserve coverage?

There were about 12 Republicans seeking the nomination in 2006, and I covered about 5-6 of them. I did cover Rick Trent because he worked.

My feeling is just because their name is on the ballot, that doesn’t entitle them to coverage.

I’m interested in contenders – serious candidates – and not pretenders.

Hank