Jeffrey A. Zucker, CNN’s president stated, “Going forward into the Trump era, the key for us” will be “to make sure that we hold the administration’s feet to the fire … not be intimidated and not be afraid to call things out.”
How right he is. With our president-elect using half-truths and exaggerations, it is most important that we know where government leadership stands, not only our presidential leaders but congressional leaders as well.
Jaime Herrera Beutler has stayed in the background most of her political career. With such a climate soon to be in the Oval Office it is imperative that she informs her constituents where she stands on issues such as gun control, abortion, military spending, Obamacare, immigration, Social Security. The list goes on.
Asking directly gets pre-thought-out automatic responses from her staff, usually circumventing the question.
And so it is to the press we turn. Journalists must be the inquisitors of the public. They must open doors we find closed, ask questions we cannot, and persist on complete answers. It is their obligation to do so.
People believe strongly in a fair and open press. It is a cornerstone in the workings of our government. It must stand tall, not stoop to the political whims of the powerful and must be the eyes, ears, and conscious to all.
