Can Newcomer Candidates Overcome Greensboro's Good Ol' Network ?

Donna Riechmann, one of 13 at-large candidates for the Greensboro City Council, asked Allen Johnson about something I too had noticed about the News & Record's initial campaign coverage:

"I am wondering why you mention only three names in the at-large race. (Similarly, the July 22 front page article only mentioned 7 of the 13 contenders.) This gives the impression that "newcomers" are not newsworthy. How about equal press for all?" (fifth comment from the top)

Without using such terminology, Reichmann's calling the News & Record out for providing greater coverage to Greensboro's "Good Ol' Boy Network" than it's providing to candidates outside that circle.

Joel Landau, another at-large candidate, makes the same point.

Allen's response: "That was purely a space issue. We plan plenty of coverage of all of the candidates in the weeks to come, in the printed paper and on our Web site."

I believe Allen, and his point about space makes sense.

But intentionally or not, what's already happening is that presumed favorites are receiving preferential treatment.

Historically, the Good Ol' Boy Network is associated with white Southern men or WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants).

But times are changing.

Look at the three candidates that Allen mentioned:

Sandra Anderson-Groat (incumbent at-large council member), Robbie Perkins (former District 3 council member), and Mary Rakestraw (former Guilford County Commissioner).

Women are almost as likely (and sometimes more likely) to be a part of the new Good Ol' Network as men.

Though black elected officials in Greensboro/Guilford County are still more likely to be elected from districts, Yvonne Johnson has demonstrated that blacks can secure (and maintain) broader community support, earning herself a place in the Good Ol' Network.

Even officials elected by only a geographical segment of our community enjoy Good Ol' Network benefits.

While some of them might not be able to earn enough votes to be elected city- or county-wide, these officials tend to maintain an advantage as long as they run for re-election within their districts.

This much hasn't changed: it's easier to remain a member of the Good Ol' Network than to become a new member.

And while you might complain about the Network as an outsider, once you're in, you're probably not going to continue complaining about it.

I don't expect Anderson-Groat, Perkins, or Rakestraw to complain that other at-large candidates aren't receiving as much attention or coverage.

I am hoping that the News & Record and other local media bend over backwards to provide as much coverage as possible for all serious candidates among the 33 who filed.

Waiting for such coverage might not be in candidates' best interests, however, if they sincerely hope to be elected.

Automatically working against the odds, candidates who don't already belong to the Good Ol' Network ought to be investigating and pursuing all possible means of leveling the playing field.

Having lots of money to spend on publicity is one way to improve one's chances of being elected.

Short of spending lots of money, candidates really ought to consider setting up and using their own blogs to get their names, images, personalities, and messages out.

I'm still waiting and wondering if it's possible for someone outside the Network to use a blog to generate enough attention and interest to win an election.

Unless some of the "newcomer" candidates find and use special campaign tools, it won't be too hard to predict which individuals will find themselves sitting on the city council for the next two years.