Well, Ken can't say I didn't give him plenty of warning... 

Date: Sun, 08 Oct 2006 23:34:26 -0700

From: Barry Hess
Organization: HessForGovernor.Com
To: "Ken Western, Editor of AZ Republic" <ken.western@arizonarepublic.com>
Subject: Profile?

Dear Ken;

Just so there is no question, I want you to know that this message is being sent to many members of the press/media and other interested parties.

In speaking with Mr. Tupper today, it came up that the Arizona Republic  had run full page profiles on Len Munsil and Janet Napolitano in the last two Sunday editions of your paper and that "mine" was to run tomorrow--Monday.  What's up with that?  Monday?  Doesn't  Sunday have different circulation numbers?  Could such a thing be called "fair and equal" coverage?

My interpretation of such an event could only be as advertising for the Democrat/Republican Party candidates in violation of a myriad of campaign laws.

I find all this a bit odd since when Matthew Benson called, we only talked briefly and he assured me that he would be calling back to do an interview for my profile--he hasn't.  If the Republic plans on such a run, I insist that it refrain from doing so since he did not do an interview and it could only be construed as fraud upon the public.

I made it very clear that I am happy to work with the press, but not 'for' the press.  I am prepared to grant him an interview, he need only call to set it up.

Further, in regard to the editorial board meeting tomorrow, I will insist that I be able to set up a video camera or be guaranteed a full, unedited copy of the tape you said you would be doing.  Given the information I received today, I am more than a little unsettled by your telling me that the AZ Republic will be _editing_ our meeting and streaming it from your webpage.

I can understand that the ed board doesn't want anyone in the room other than the candidates and the editors, but there should be no problem with my (or any of the candidates) having a full copy of the goings on.  I'm sure in the interest of accuracy, you and the board will have no problem with this.

Finally, I will say that it is disappointing that the AZ Republic quotes clearly skewed poll numbers on its front page as gospel.  'Clearly skewed?' yes, Ken, skewed.  What else could they be when, as you are aware, the question(s) are worded:  If the election were held today, who would you vote for?   Republican, Len Munsil, Democrat, Janet Napolitano or "Other"?  Hummmm.  Wouldn't "other" include Mickey Mouse, who according to Karen Osborne's recent testimony (under oath) would win elections were he (it) a real candidate?  Our own polls continue to show a very different result.

As always, I remain at your service--

Barry Hess

So instead of Monday, they ran it on Tuesday, and used a different reporter to 'write' a profile on me.  It's time for Arizonans to stop accepting this sort of biased "reporting", and we're doing something about it, because the voting public deserves better than this.  Please donate NOW to help.