Oh where, oh where has the Daschle v. Thune review gone? Oh where, oh where can it be?
Remember how the Argus Leader finally conceded that they should probably review Daschle V. Thune. What, with the dozens of other South Dakota related books they provide comments for on a regular basis. And that they finally found someone who they thought would provide a relatively unbiased review.
According to sources, the unbiased review (allegedly done by Brent Lerseth, a political science professor at Augustana) was submitted to the Argus Leader over ten days ago.
And we still haven’t seen it.
I mean, it’s bad enough that they claim they can’t do one, because they’re in it. After they concede that point, and have someone independent do a review, now it seems as if they’re sitting on it.
What are they afraid of – That’s it’s positive? That Lerseth might have liked the book?
Hmmmmm…… And so we continue to wait.First it was for the book they wouldn’t review. Now, it’s for the review they wouldn’t print.
While you wait for the review, which might never come, go buy a copy and decide for yourself.
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Comments
I’m guessing that the best way to make sure that the Argus never does a review is to keep insisting that they do one.
Publishers take their 1st Amendment pretty seriously, and whenever anyone insists that they have to print something (especially those who are continually critical of their paper, calling for a boycott, etc.) the predictable response would be the old one finger salute.
I’m not sayin’ that’s right, I’m just sayin’.
Bill,
You’re obviously a part of the conspiracy. When a Thune staffer writes a book about how great Thune and his staff are, the Argus is compelled to write about it. And write about it favorably.
No tin foil hat for you.
Who is Lerseth?
I just saw a story about Lauck’s book on KELO-Land over the weekend. It was very positive.
Hey, the Argus is only 3 months late.
They’ve been busy getting sued I guess.
I bought and read a copy of the book. I felt it was much more fair than I would have expected it to be. I thought he would have been much harder on Daschle but he even made the point of how hard it was for Daschle to be the leader of the Dems. while serving a a red state like South Dakota which we all have to agree was Mission Impossible.The book also pointed out the flaws as the author saw it in Daschle’s mistakes and Thune’s victory’s. The part about the Agurs was based on fact while the afore was based on opnion.
I guess my biggest concern is that the Argus Leader didn’t like what the reviewer wrote and that they made him re-write it or they are trying to find a more negative reviewer to attack the book. Sitting on copy this long is a strange thing to do in the newspaper biz. Something is afoot, I’m guessing.
Sid, I don’t understand your math. You saw a review on KELO less than five days ago, yet the Argus is “three months late?” At best, it seems like they’re five days later than KELO at this point. Or is KELO also a part of the conspiracy to delay the review of the book by three months? Please explain.
You get a tin-foil hat. Enjoy!
The review in the Washington newspaper The Hill was pretty good on Lauck’s book–”Lauck pulls off his audacious task by producing a book that is generally even-handed, meticulously researched and historically illuminating.”
http://thehill.com/bookshelf/the-south-dakota-showdown-of-2004–from-the-inside-2007-11-16.html
I’ll be curious to see what the Argus reviewer writes.
I had same reaction as “oldguy.” It was a fun read and very detailed. The Argus should just run with the story or review and quit being such party poopers and worrying so much about them being discussed in the book.
I don’t know what the Argus is thinking….they should have reported on and reviewed this book months ago. They really look small, it seems to me.
For those obsessed with the “tin-foil” story, do they know why Argus hasn’t acted on this deal? I’m starting to get suspicious too that they didn’t like what they got from the reviewer so they are “revising” things.
Lerseth was my advisor in college…as close to unbiased as it gets. I suspect he is a liberal BUT he does everything he can to be fair.
Just had our about sixth or more call from the Argus today with a deal for us to renew our subscription. Always tell them the same thing, too expensive, too biased, don’t like the new format, etc. But they evidently don’t listen and will assuredly call back. Makes me think they are hurting for subscribers. And their ignoring a book getting national attention just reinforces my opinion of them.
Argus sales are dropping and they are panicking. They have launched a major effort to bring back old subscribers. You will be hearing a lot more from them as they try to stave off more economic losses.
Yes, the whole Argus fiasco over this book is another reason people don’t trust the Argus.
I think Lerseth is close to Herseth. And not just in terms of rhyming. Not saying he can’t be fair, but from his classes he says he is close to her
Well, the ARgus said they were going to review the book…and they haven’t. I wonder why?
Conspiracy! Conspiracy! Conspiracy!
Quick – put your tinfoil hats on!