In defense of the accused: the Star Tribune and Alan Fine
Monday, October 9th, 2006The Star Tribune has published an article detailing a 1995 charge for domestic violence against 5th CD candidate Alan Fine. My primary concern regarding the recent Strib article on Fine’s record is that partisans are rendering judgment on Fine based not on the strength of the available factual evidence (which is scant to nonexistent) but based on their own political affiliations.
In general, some Democrats seem to have already tried Fine in the court of public opinion and found him to be guilty. Further, this vehemence against Fine is magnified by the Republican attempts to unfairly tar Rep. Keith Ellison by using the tea leaves of 911 and court records to “prove” him to be an unsuitable candidate.
Meanwhile Republicans have not only refused to denounce Fine but leading conservative blog Powerline has gone so far as to attack the Strib for even reporting the story.
Blanked-Out takes no position either way regarding any of the claims in the Star Tribune article. Still, partisan passion has distorted the perspective of others. Below are recommendations to all sides.
Democrats
Democrats need to recognize that if they objected to the smear campaign of “insinuation” against Ellison on principle, as this blog does, they must also object to the current accusations leveled against Fine. As noted above the truth of the matter is unclear - Fine tells one story while Wexler and her father Thomas Wexler tell an entirely story. There is currently no available evidence to support either side. Criticism of either the Wexlers or Fine should be withheld.
Ellison has wisely stayed out of the story and has shown an incredible ability to keep his side of the campaign focused on the issues that are important to voters in the 5th district.
Republicans
Republicans have to recognize that while Fine was running a unique if quixotic campaign before the primary, it was his injection of “character” into the campaign and his attacks on Ellison that opened him up to the Star Tribune’s line of inquiry, if not their method of inquiry. Fine is a political newcomer, but should have understood the heavy burden of inquiry that would fall upon his family.
Republican blogs who added their voices to the anti-Ellison echo chamber should now look to the responsible and thorough reporting of Abdi Aynte at the Minnesota Monitor for an example of A-class reporting. Blanked-Out took note of Aynte’s skills back in August - Aynte has not disappointed.
Star Tribune
No one knows the facts regarding Fine’s family except Fine and Wexler, his ex-wife. By releasing the 911 and court records, especially the expunged records, the Star Tribune brings a private family quarrel into the public light and unfairly tarnishes the character of both Fine and Wexler.
The Star Tribune does not need to account for the timing of the article. Research and editorial concerns alone could account for the publication date. By casting aspirations on a journalist or blogger for “sitting on a story” you make a criticism that can never be answered to the satisfaction of the accuser.
However, the writers of the article do need to explain why the timeline and circumstances outlined in the article are contradicted by Fine’s campaign. According to the article, the journalists claim they obtained the expunged record sometime around August 25th of this year. Fine’s campaign disputed these facts in a campaign press release and via an interview with the Minnesota Monitor:
Mr. Fine presented these documents voluntarily to the Star Tribune upon their request on July 10, 2006 in an extensive interview with Erik Black (sic) at the request of the editorial staff of the Star Tribune regarding this issue,” he said.
Fine contradicts the method, date and reporter of the story. Eric Black is not credited as a contributor to the story. The Star Tribune should address this apparent contradiction.
UPDATE: The Star Tribune stands by their timeline and defends the timing of the article.
DISCLAIMER: Pre-primary I volunteered with Keith Ellison’s campaign.