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Dan Hirschhorn's Blog

Dan Hirschhorn's Blog

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An op-ed note, and a super-important correction

There’s quite a discussion brewing about Paul Scoles’ op-ed, in which he writes that Arlen Specter’s health is an issue that Democrats need to consider. I wanted to take a moment to address some concerns about the piece.

But first, an important correction to note: The article originally said that Specter was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, when in fact it was Hodgkin’s, for which survival rates are typically better. When dealing with such a sensitive subject, it’s critical that everything be factually perfect. In this case it wasn’t. I take full responsibility for that, and offer my regrets to the Senator, his family and his supporters for the error.

Regarding the overarching concerns about the piece, many have asked that it be taken down. I’d like to briefly explain why I could never in good conscious take such an action.

The purpose of pa2010.com is not only to cover the news. It is also to provide a forum for political insiders to discuss issues surrounding these races, be they matters of policy, politics or any intersection of the two. I can understand that people would find Paul’s words offensive, I really can. But from a journalistic standpoint, I couldn’t feel more strongly in my belief that they warrant discussion.

I have had dozens upon dozens of off-the-record conversations about Senator Specter. In almost every single one, the topic of his age and health arises (as one reader has pointed out, this is not unlike discussion of John McCain’s health during the 2008 presidential race). People are constantly speculating about the political ramifications if the unthinkable were to happen—something no one wishes upon the Senator, of course.

So the fact remains that these discussions are already happening. And having them occur only behind closed doors, in hushed whispers, serves absolutely no public interest. As a dispassionate chronicler of this race, I have no stance on where voters should come down when considering this issue. But as a journalist, I do believe any and all issues of merit deserve a forum of public debate. When Paul submitted his piece for publication, I saw within it a chance to bring these conversations into the daylight, if only for a moment.

I hold no illusions that this explanation will satisfy those offended by public discussions of Senator Specter’s health. As a society, we generally abhor talking about mortality, be it our own or that of others.

But I thought it important to share where I was coming from.

I hope we can keep this discussion going.

February 8, 2010 at 11:34 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

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  1. Chet

    Feb 9th, 2010

    If the R’s want to make it an issue later, they will; but why should Sestak supporters help them by giving them nice quotes from Dems? And the Toomey campaign will probably use Scoles’ original, inaccurate version….

  2. David Diano

    Feb 9th, 2010

    At this point, the Sestak campaign is merely an arm of the Toomey campaign.

  3. Barry OConnell

    Feb 9th, 2010

    Hello Dan,
    Nice shot pulling a FOX News on us. Maybe Op-Ed pieces should be clearly labeled. I come to your pages for news not hatchet jobs. This piece is not journalism and colors every other story you publish. Now I will wonder each time I read one if it is news or a diatribe by a disgruntled aids case or the like.
    Up until now I have really enjoyed your pieces.
    Barry OConnell

  4. Dan Hirschhorn

    Feb 9th, 2010

    Hey Barry,

    With all due respect, the piece was labeled “Opinion” in the same way all of our op-eds are labeled.

    But perhaps we should explore ways to make that labeling more clear. I welcome suggestions as to how we could do that.

    Dan Hirschhorn

  5. HateSestak

    Feb 9th, 2010

    Yes, Toomey will undoubtedly make use of these comments. But Representative Sestak will soon become a far, far, greater liability to the Democratic Party than Senator Specter. Indeed, the trouble-plagued Sestak may prove to be an albatross around the Democratic Party’s collective neck for some time to come. Sestak has adopted a scorched earth approach: if he’s going down (and he is, big time) he’ll take the Dems with him.

  6. Barry O'Connell

    Feb 10th, 2010

    Hi Dan,
    On this page it says “Dan Hirschhorn’s Blog”. So I expect your opinion, maybe I like maybe I don’t but I respect it as opinion. For the record I generally like it. With the Scoles piece I don’t even see “op-ed’ on the page. I suggest that with pieces like that you should label it “Guest Blogger” or Editorial. Scoles was not really reporting it was clearly an advocacy piece.
    Best wishes,
    Barry O’Connell
    Lycoming County

  7. Dan Hirschhorn

    Feb 10th, 2010

    Hey Barry,

    You are correct that THIS post is indeed on my blog. But the ORIGINAL op-ed was labeled “Opinion” and was placed in the Voices section, which is the equivalent of our op-ed page.

    As for my blog, I think it’s important to note that I don’t subscribe to the conventional wisdom that a blog is by definition laced with commentary. Obviously, the majority of pa2010.com’s bloggers traffic in opinion. And yes, when using my
    blog to explain editorial decision, as I often do, I offer up my thoughts on the journalistic dynamics at play. But I have been exceedingly careful not to delve into commentary on the actual races or candidates we cover, opting instead for only reported analysis and pontification—an important if admittedly subtle distinction.

    But your point about labeling remains a good one, and I’ll explore ways for us to improve on that.

    Please feel free to e-mail me anytime at editor@pa2010.com.

    Thanks.

    Dan Hirschhorn

  8. Adam Schwartzbaum

    Feb 11th, 2010

    Dan, I think you did the right thing.

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