Cross-Posted at Placer CRA Blog

Does the Auburn Journal promote a Liberal or a Conservative Agenda?

Dear Placer County Republican Central Committee Members,

I thought you'd like to see how your local newspaper, the Auburn Journal and its Senior Editor/General Manager Deric Rothe, allows the paper to pimp for the opposition. The article that prompted these e-mails can be seen at the end of this correspondence.

Bruce Kranz

We blogged on this article in a Red County Placer Exclusive - called Rampage Watch 2008. I am cross-posting this on all three blogs I write for to give Bruce's response maximum exposure.

Deric Rothe is on a rampage against anything Republican - his paper seems to have performed a partial birth abortion of objectivity. It started with Doolittle and is now translating to anyone that Doolittle assisted to get into office.

Kranz lit into Deric Rothe for his obvious bias...

Deric,

Your response is remarkable in what it doesn't say:

1) You didn't defend your actions or respond to my comment that you have become a part of the Montgomery campaign;

2) You apparently refuse to accept any responsibility for your complete lack of vetting an article by a paid Montgomery surrogate;

3) You didn't even offer to correct your gross lack of journalistic fairness by placing an apology in the newspaper for allowing a paid political consultant of the Montgomery campaign to attack her opponent.

Of course you're willing to allow me to respond (this sells papers), which I will do once I get the chronology of events in order. Unfortunately, you've allowed the damage to be done.

Deric - I struggled long and hard before confronting you on these issues, recognizing that you guys buy ink by the barrel. But, in light the way you constantly undermine me, I thought I had to respond.

I guess your comments to me the first time we talked several years ago remain. I can remember them like they were yesterday. They go something like this: "The reason I dislike you is because you are a friend of John Doolittle's and you support the Auburn Dam." It's a shame there can't be honest disagreement about issues.

Charlie Brown believes we need to move past Partisan Politics - Will Charlie Brown publicly call on the Auburn Journal to apologize and post a retraction?

Will Republicans like Ted Gaines whose Assembly district includes Auburn do it? Will Ken Campbell - former Placer GOP Chairman stand up and call Rothe and call the AJ out? I am sure Kirk Uhler and Tom McClintock are supporting Bruce - but if there was ever a call for unity behind a beseiged Republican, this is the time.

The Democrat Party has poured their limited Placer Resources into Jennifer Montgomery - now is the time for all Republicans to come together and tell the Auburn Journal and their friends from MoveOn.Org, the Sierra Club and the BANANA coalition no.

Kranz initial e-mail to Rothe is posted below:

Deric,

Do you think this is fair? If so, there is not much I can say. Obviously, you know that Rob Haswell is Montgomery's paid consultant on the campaign, in addition to being the Region 1 Director of the Democratic Party. Of course, you didn't mention that! I really question the wisdom of a Senior Editor/General Manager for allowing the good name of the Auburn Journal to be used by one campaign to smear their opponent without even checking the facts.

The Journal should have at least been paid for the excellent campaign piece. The honest thing for you to do is admit you have now become a part of the Montgomery campaign!!

Frankly, I expect more from the Auburn Journal, but I guess that's too much to expect.

I assume you will allow me to at least respond to these allegations?

Kranz' response to the AJ hatchet job will be posted as soon as I receive a copy of it.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you now know the inspiration for Rampage watch 2008. I think the Auburn Journal is going to make a great voter guide for 2008...

Blogger's Note - BANANA = Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anything.