C. M. Barons On The Batavian

C.M., thank you for weighing in and sharing your own thoughts on this topic. I appreciate your kinship with all of us who are a part of The Batavian.

However, as publisher, I continue to react negatively toward the notion of lumping The Batavian in with all other media. In the respect of dialogue and conversation, The Batavian is unique from all other media in your list. This is where the conversation takes place, certainly within Genesee County. There's no favoritism whatsoever in participating in The Batavian, because this really is the only place where participation is active and engaged.

blah blah blah.... go away

Usually the first jump into the political arena water is the coldest...I hope we all approach this as a long fruitful journey; electronic media demands fast quick response and I think C.M. has a vision that the media will just have to slow down and wait for...

If I were a reporter for any of the other news media you listed above, I would be excited to have a source (The Batavian) for unadulterated and uncut dialogue from any candidate that I was covering.

Perhaps if you had continued to blog, your voice would make it across the pond too, or at the very least, across the 139th district.

I don't see anything wrong with making reporters and news organizations do their jobs. It's not favoritism to insist that they investigate and report the news; but rather cynicism that we are forced to consume too much spoon fed crap already.

C.M. “I am news” Barons, that doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzy. You seem to be talking on high. I hope this truly is the “beta version” of yourself and you get a little better speaking to people instead of at them.

Are you feeling the crushing weight of media outlets clamoring to discuss your candidacy or are you playing it safe hoping to hold on to the 30% (D) that you already have on your side? Without a game changer, like the same spirit of openness that you have displayed in the past, how do you intend on picking up 21% more (R)’s to vote for you?

Chris, you're filled with too much HOT AIR already...blah blah blah! Many of us are very happy with our current assemblyman, Steve Hawley.

One thing I want to make clear is that I'm not asking C.M. or anybody else to comment exclusively on The Batavian.

While I believe we fit in a unique niche that undercuts the "favoritism" argument put forward by Chris C., and somewhat echoed here, the flip side of it is there's nothing preventing C.M. or Steve Hawley from commenting on other sites as well.

To me, transparency calls for a willingness to engage in dialogue with anybody and everybody, no matter where the conversation is. The transparent candidate leaves comments on The Batavian, or on the Buffalo News or on WBTA or wherever there is something relevant that the candidate feels it necessary or interesting to have a say. The transparent candidate risks ridicule or flame-baiting responses (which are rare here compared to other sites, more common elsewhere) in order to ensure he's effectively using the online medium to widely inform the public and make sure all legitimate questions and concerns get addressed fully, and to ensure that voters feel this really is somebody they can talk to and relate to.

It's not enough to say, "I'm out at my town hall meetings talking with constituents all the time," or "I answer all my e-mail."

The open and transparent candidate is out where the people are, online or in the physical world. He's not trying to run a managed campaign so that each sound bite is appropriately measured. He really is one of us.

And he takes that open and transparent approach, not because of campaign strategy considerations (pro or con), or based on what his opponent does or doesn't do. He does it because that's who he is.

Charlie,
Don't worry about his "Iam news" comment. He'll edit it!

I'm quite sure C.M. will tell anyone that I never speak for him. Just clarifying. I didn't think the "I am news" thing was necessarily arrogant, his candidacy is news. One thing I've always admired about C.M. is his usage of language, I don't know if we could call him a wordsmith, but I believe his words mean exactly what they are supposed to, by that I mean don't read between the lines I don't think he's into supposition. I'm not letting you off the hook,C M you called The Batavian family, and it's true bonds can be stretched without breaking, but Howard and Charlie are right, this is 2010 and the old ways aren't going to get it done. Signed; The pain-in-the-neck cousin everyone hopes won't show up on Thanksgiving, but always does.

Many contributors to the Batavian just whine about how bad government is. Chris is willing to stick his neck out and DO something about it. He seems like a smart and thoughtful guy and someone of integrity. Perhaps it's time for a change in Albany.

I think Dennis is right. Albany's a mess. Time for somebody else -- and "smart and thoughtful" could go a long way.

I agree with JoAnne. The Batavian up until recently was C.M.s mode of communicating his ideas. If that forces other media outlets to use The Batavian as their source or actually get out there and get it instead of getting it spoon fed to them through press releases, then so be it. At first I thought we were seeing a true "grassroots" campaign, turns out it's just another cog in the same tired old political machine.

Dennis, A lot of people do complain about how crummy the government in Albany is. And C.M. Is the one willing to stick his neck out there. The problem I think that most people find with the onset of his campaigning is they find it to be more of the same old song and dance. C.M. has the ideas and the drive to want to bring change to Albany. The problem most people have is that they feel he is being handled just like any other politician. The post he made here is a step in the right direction.

If he wants to appeal to a wide spectrum of the voters he needs to utilize all publicity. And like Howard said, C.M. making comments on The Batavian will not prevent him from making comments to other media outlets.

I think Charlie called it right.

The media isn't going to chase after CM and one of his criticisms of Hawley was that Hawley wouldn't come out on sites like this. Now CM has decided (or had it decided for him)to do the same thing and not come on the site.

I really can't get over the arrogance I see in this press release. Why is there such a blatant attempt to dazzle us with the author's command of the written language?

Just how is Chris going to "excite the local media"?

What are "news organs"?

Who in Genesee County says, " Orwellian revisionism"?

replyPosted by Howard Owens on June 18, 2010 - 2:00pm
The transparent candidate risks ridicule or flame-baiting responses....

So, this summer campaign will have two minor players, Prince Ridicule and Prince Flamer. Their continued baiting should make this summer interesting.
I wonder if either will bother to meet Chris B. and talk eye to eye?

In response to Bea...

First, this is hardly a site where much in the way of flaming takes place. By rule, we do our best to ensure no personal attacks.

Second, so?

Nobody ever said transparency is reserved only for the weak and ineffective. Transparency takes courage, a willingness to risk ridicule.

Of course, outside of the fact that we don't allow personal attacks on The Batavian and remove the obvious ones and review any post upon the request of somebody who feels attacked, an intelligent, level-headed candidate, the kind we would want to elect, is smart enough to side step and ignore the flamers and the baiters.

And this statement, "Their continued baiting should make this summer interesting" is illogical on its face. There's been no baiting or flaming going on.

Charlie,
I think its a grandstanding attempt to show us how well he can write. Personally, I don't care that he can write six paragraphs just to say he is avoiding this site. Ducking is still ducking.

John, I couldn't agree more. I just can't believe a blogger would toss away the very people who would support his campaign. CM had a base of people who liked him regardless of his political stands. They liked him because he was open and not afraid to speak his mind.

Now we fast forward in time and CM wants to run for office. He is an independent and free of Albany political entanglements. An overall good guy. Our system only works for D's or R's so, he has little choice but, to join a party. I get it.

The problem started when CM allowed himself to be "handled", muzzled. He buys into the idea that he can't make waves. Then he releases this garbage press release. CM "is news"! CM doesn't have to talk to us little people, we can just wait for a position paper! CM is smarter than us, see how well he can write?

Where is the game changer CM? Tell your handlers you need to be yourself and they made a mistake. It's not too late.

There's an old saying in politics, "Dance with the one who brung ya."

I didn't need a crystal ball to see this coming. Throwing your hat into the political ring almost mandates an attack from supporters of the opposition.
Release the lions and let the games begin.

If you can envision NYS politics as a barren desert wasteland, C.M. appeared to be an oasis in the viewable distance. As we get closer, however, it appears as if it is a mirage. Too bad.

George, I disagree that C.M. is being criticized by supporters of Hawley. Mostly its coming from pretty independent minded people, each one of whom I could see supporting Barons because C.M. had developed an image here of being equally independent minded. They're also people who want change in Albany, and even if they like Steve Hawley personally, no incumbent is safe this year if the right opposition comes along. I don't see the criticisms of C.M. for withdrawing from the conversation as partisan or political at all. The subtext of each and every comment to me is "disappointment."

I think only Charlie has come out and said he supports Steve, and knowing Charlie, I bet that wasn't written in stone.

Howard wrote, "The subtext of each and every comment to me is 'disappointment.'"

Bud was posting at the same time I was, and his comment, I think, proves my point.

I have to agree with Howard and Bud, It's disappointing. I'm a registered voter, but not with any party. I choose to vote for who I choose. Not who a party boss tells me to. or who a union boss might tell me to.
C.M. was looking pretty good cause I liked the stuff he was saying. Now the Democratic party says "you want to dance then you got to dance to our song."
I'm not comfortable with a well meaning person being muzzled.

Before he was just a concerned citizen and I'm sure he still is. Have you ever seen how statements get dissected, word for word? Like what the meaning of is, is? No wonder so many candidates go into hiding, it's a terrible tactical move as far as I'm concerned but saying the wrong thing can be much worse. I wouldn't run for public office if they brought me a silver platter of Cannolis. I would say yes and eat the Cannolis, but I would withdraw the next day. The Democratic Party is not giving him marching orders, he just knows how it is.

Howard said: "I think only Charlie has come out and said he supports Steve, and knowing Charlie, I bet that wasn't written in stone."

Charlie? Howard just called you a "flip flopper" are you going to take that? Go fight him, right now.

"What the world needs now, is love sweet love, that's the only thing that there's just, too little of."

Man that must have made some serious mailbox money, I wish I wrote it first.

My mailbox is pretty full of emails from insiders who believe I represent the Hawley campaign. Let me make this real clear. I do not support Republicans, I do not support Democrats. I support the best person. I have never made a phone call or dropped even one flyer for Steve in my life. I have never spoken to Steve or anyone else about his campaign, ever.

My words come only from me and as Howard picked up on, disappointment. In my eyes Democrats are supposed to be more open. To anyone who has payed attention, I clearly lean left. In this area Democrats were the band of rebels who refused to go along with the crowd. There is no benefit to being a Democrat in Genesee County. Your defeat is pretty much assured.

So, how should I take what I am seeing with CM's campaign. As an independent why would anything written in the statement above influence me to vote for CM? How would he be any different than what is in Albany now?

Charlie Mallow says: "To anyone who has paid attention, I clearly lean left."
That's why I feel like I can rib you Charlie, you are real, and on the right, left side. I'm just pulling your leg and that never works well in type. I think Mr. Barons might know that too. I have no dog in this fight, but I'm glad for the opportunity to throw unsolicited bones. I might have to subscribe to the Batavian, even though I stand to get nothing out of it, except this. I might have to mail Howard cash so my wife doesn't get mad, she'll just think I spent it at a bar somewhere on my friends or kids. That's Ok, she expects that. Thumbs up Charlie, you're cool with me. I wish I was there so I could be your friend.
-George, full time Batavian from 1953 until 1978, part time for another 20 years and then pretty much never. I hate to fly and buses suck beyond belief.

George, your sense of humor comes through loud and clear. Thumbs up to you too!