the insider Q for the friends of friends the for for for David Corn A 5 5 Questions + thank you to the host committee and everyone who turned out! the hardest-working host in TV news, and her intelligence, work ethic, and wit showed—it was a rockin’ good time. A big day — only they didn’t tell us that until late in the evening. Were they worried we’d put it to the test? “ “role model”(page 5). have sufficiently scooped their way into prominence. Meanwhile, even the acknowledged for great reporting and high standards has earned us entry. David Corn and the reporters in our DC bureau The club doesn’t have yearbook pictures or a secret handshake (if we did, we’d never be able to keep it secret), but being ing—there’s lots of meaty news as well lightening our enviro footprint, we’ve also been able to snazz up the graphics. But JAY HARRIS… FROM Mother Jones history. We asked him to tell us what David Corn secured the first White White first the secured Corn David That recognition came in the midst of a great We’re drawing notice in other areas as well. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom officially declared March 28, 2009, In an era of huge concern about the future of good reporting, House press pass in the room is really like. Day” in our home city. That honor comes with some nice perks — it your on turns out you can’t arrested get Mother Mother Jones Welcome to the first . .

Mother Jones

digital Correspondents from the cable order. pecking is a There strict What’s the pecking order? Can you give us a lay of the land? basis of the questions asked. will be framing the news on the how mainstream media outlets of Washington. You can easily see ministration and the larger world narrative regarding the Obama ad say) and the ever-changing media the press secretary DOESN’T news (often by watching for what House is approaching issues in the a preview of both how the White The daily press briefings give you White House press briefings? Why did you decide to attend the edition of “The Insider”! With this issue, we’re not only event: an evening with MSNBC star with Rachel Maddow. Rachel evening an is event: Mother Jone New York Times s has been invited into the Journalism Club.

there’s more than just new packag has deemed - a very democratic system. system. a democratic very to pose a question. It’s not were not granted the opportunity disappointed journalists who briefing ends with a number of few others in the room. Each a to only he turns then and Times third row (NPR, on most of the reporters in the calls of briefing—Gibbs the bulk up the takes group—which this with done he’s After questions. to several ask them allows and of on them each calls Gibbs Robert briefing, At every rows. newspapers sit in the front two national the and wires, major the networks, broadcast and , Mother Jones USA Today, Washington Washington a a and others), others), and

- Ana Marie Cox (an ex-MoJo reporter to do nothing but reporting for journalists under the age of 35. Bruce editor) wrote an op-ed piece in enterprise stories about what is update from the dc bureau truly has a knack for getting the dirt. While he was the Washington Post a while not on the front burner. Many researching a Mother Jones piece on how difficult back that described the White outlets do try to do this. But it If you watch cable news, you may have noticed that it is to actually gain access to CIA documents House briefing room as the does take resources. MoJo reporters are showing up on the news shows that are fully declassified and considered “public,” place where “news goes to die.” a lot these days. It’s true: With the opening of our he came across a 1978 internal CIA memo that What’s your take on the White How does Mother Jones address Washington, DC, bureau, our reporters are getting described Mother Jones as “a locally-produced House press corps? the problem of covering both asked to weigh in on the issue of the day just about scandal sheet published by a dissident group.” There is not much news gener- the front-burner news and the every week. (David Corn’s been on MSNBC’s Hardball Guess we showed them. ated by the briefings. It is Gibbs’ stories that require a lot of dig- six times in the past two months.) Meanwhile, we’re sorry to report that reporter job to spend an hour or so talk- ging and legwork? You can imagine how important this is. While our Jonathan Stein is leaving the MoJo DC bureau for ing about the hot-button topics Steroids. Seriously, it means be- the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC-Berkeley of the day—and NOT make ing both nimble and selective—as “[Mother Jones] is a locally- to, in his words, “learn real, concrete solutions to news. And most White House you scout for the right stories produced scandal sheet the problems we write about on the Web and in reporters are chained to cover- to cover and the right way to published by a dissident group.” the magazine.” Jonathan promises to come across ing the events of the day—and cover them. The goal is to always — 1978 internal CIA memo the Bay Bridge and visit with us once he’s settled. these days, there is a lot going publish or post information that Fortunately, joining the bureau is Rachel Morris, on at the White House—so they tells a reader something he or magazine and website regularly reach about 1.5 former editor of the Washington Monthly and Legal are not able to spend time dig- she doesn’t know about a story million people, television lets us not only reach a lot Affairs. Rachel is a seasoned Washington journalist ging for substantial scoops. already in the news or that breaks more people, but lots of different people, too. When with superb editing news itself. In the Washington David, or James Ridgeway, or Daniel Schulman talk and reporting chops, bureau, we work long and hard to about an issue on one of the news shows, people so we are thrilled “It is Gibbs’ job to do both. learn about Mother Jones, and might also think she’s joined the spend an hour or so harder about where they get their news from. team. With Rachel talking about the asked & answered If you’re following David Corn on Twitter, you may on board, associate hot-button topics of have read his real-time coverage of the press briefings editor Daniel the day—and NOT The White House press briefings at the White House. David’s a fully accredited White Schulman will have make news.” may be an ironically undemocratic House correspondent, and he’s been attending these more time for in- system, but David Corn has press briefings with White House press secretary depth reporting, so managed to subvert the pecking Robert Gibbs, along with President Obama’s news be on the lookout for How would you improve re- order. In April, David asked not conferences, since the new administration took DC bureau editor Rachel Morris more of his byline. porting from the White House? one, but two questions about office. We asked David to tell us a Reporters need to ask prob- the Spanish investigation of little bit about this part of his work; ing questions and also need to Guantanamo. Of course, that his answers are over on the left. Raise Hell in Your Next Life resist the herd mentality that was after he stumped Gibbs with Meanwhile, for a story he By including Mother Jones in your will or estate plan, you can causes them to become part of questions about AIG and TARP published in The American Scholar, sustain the good fight and make sure that progressive values groupthink narratives. But the funds in March. DC reporter Bruce Falconer is a stay alive in the national press. It may not bring immortality, best thing for large convention- The next time David is at a finalist for the 2008 Livingston but it’s a sure way to extend a life of hellraising. al media outlets to do would be “presser,” he might just ask for Awards for Young Journalists, Visit our website at motherjones.planyourlegacy.org, or to assign one reporter to cover some suggestions. the nation’s largest all-media, contact Steve Katz, vice president, strategy and development, at the official news of the day and general reporting prize for local, [email protected] or 415.321.1700 to learn more. assign another White House Follow his Tweets: @DavidCornDC national, and international

2 the mother jones insider › spring/summer 2009 › www.motherjones.com Click to see how much San Fran- “We should all be Rachel Maddow’s Got MoJo the top 10 cisco loves Rachel. concerned with how many clips of Rachel On behalf of Mayor Maddow and editors good reporting jobs there Clara Jeffery and Gavin Newsom, Monika Bauerlein in Supervisor Bevan are in the United States… conversation. Dufty thanked Rachel Somebody’s got to be for her work supporting the gay and paying people to go find lesbian community and delivered a facts in the world.” proclamation recognizing Mother Jones’ —Rachel Maddow contributions to independent journalism and naming the day Mother Jones Day. Thank you again to our event chairs, State Senator Mark Leno also presented Susan and Nick Pritzker, and to our Rachel with a proclamation from the host committee: Anne Bartley and Larry state of California, thanking her for her McNeil, Chris Desser and Kirk Marckwald, “commitment to challenging newsmakers Sara Frankel and Alyxandra Marine, to be candid with viewers on matters of Dave Glassco, Laurie Gottlieb, Anna importance to all of us.” Hawken McKay and Rob McKay, Rick After the cocktail reception, we walked Hess, Nicole Hollander, Adam and Arlie across the street to the Yerba Buena Center Hochschild, Markos Kounalakis, Christina for a larger public event. The event had Platt, Paula Rantz, Andy and Deborah sold out in a week—you know you have a Rappaport, Paul and Paulette Ryan, Nancy hot ticket when there are Craigslist posts Stephens and Rick Rosenthal, Steven and Mother Jones has been a fan of Rachel with Clara and Monika about the journal- hoping to score tickets. Mother Jones and Mary Swig, and Jack Theimer. Maddow since we first heard her on Air ism business and what it’s like to work in Rachel Maddow fans above: Former MoJo America Radio—she’s a perfect fit with our the MSM (a.k.a. mainstream media). In turned out in droves to board member notion of smart journalism served with a the process, she helped build support for support smart, investi- Marlene Saritzky side of sass. And when Jay and Clara dis- the Mother Jones Investigative Fund. gative journalism and and director of major gifts Laurin covered they shared Rachel’s passion for The evening started with cocktails at got treated to a great Asdal (a.k.a. classic cocktails, we became true buddies. the W Hotel, as Mother Jones supporters discussion. Rachel and Event Organizing So it was doubly fun when Rachel came mingled with the guest of honor and MoJo MoJo editors Clara Extraordinaires) with Rachel Maddow and to San Francisco in March to chat onstage fans from San Francisco progressive circles, Jeffery and Monika editor Clara Jeffery including event chairs Susan and Nick Pritz- Bauerlein engaged in a below: Pals Jay ker and actor Peter Coyote, San Francisco lively, frequently seri- Harris and Rachel Maddow ham it up The Maddow Supervisor Bevan Dufty, Hon. Leslie R. ous, and often hilarious 2 oz Tanqueray 10 gin Katz, state Senator Mark Leno, and legend- conversation. Topics ranged from what .25 oz grenadine by Small Hands Foods ary investigative journalist Ben Bagdikian drink Rachel would make for Lincoln and (San Francisco) and his wife Marlene. Noted San Francisco her nightmare about interviewing General .5 oz Dolin Blanc vermouth 2 dashes orange bitters mixologist Thad Vogler served a signature Petraeus, to the state of journalism and how creation called “The Maddow” (the recipe is hour-long shows on Afghanistan are neces- Stir well and strain into 5 oz cocktail glass. Garnish with broad lemon zest. to the left). Rachel was joined by her partner sary, even if they kill the ratings. You can Compliments of mixologist Thad Vogler Susan Mikula and her parents (all wonderful see the top 10 clips of the conversation at people), and we did our best to show them motherjones.com/maddowclips.

3 the mother jones insider › spring/summer 2009 › www.motherjones.com Keeping Up With the Joneses They like us, they really like us… Mother Jones has been covering the environment We usually highlight stories in this sec- Times media biz reporter Tim Monika spent most of a day with beat since the very first issue back in 1976. We’re still tion that appeared in Mother Jones long Arango spent the day with editors San Francisco Chronicle reporter Joe at it, which is why the UTNE Reader Independent before making it into the New York Clara Jeffery and Monika Bauerlein Garofoli, who came away pretty Press Awards recognized MoJo for delivering the Times or other commercial outlets. Re- back in February. His conclusion: impressed with our model and our Best Environmental Coverage for 2009. cently, however, the big story has been “In its beginning Mother Jones… mission. And since it is our home- They gave us kudos for “cutting through the Mother Jones itself: According to both viewed itself as a defender of inde- town paper, we were pretty flattered: enviro-chatter” with our cover packages “How the New York Times and the San Fran- pendent journalism free from cor- “[Mother Jones] is poised to weather to Rescue the Economy and Save the Planet” cisco Chronicle, Mother Jones is the “non- porate meddling. Today it sees itself the current recession better than (November/December 2008) and “The Future of profit model” that commercial media as a defender of journalism itself.” many other publications - and its Energy” (May/June 2008). And they also told us enterprises ought to be looking at. Shortly after that, Clara and journalism is thriving.” not to rest on our laurels: “We bestow this award on MoJo to reward it for work well done and to encourage it to continue calling out the clear- cutters, sewage dumpers, mountaintop removers, and greenwashers.” Okay, UTNE, we can do that—and more. Meanwhile, although we didn’t win a National Magazine Award this year (like we did in 2008—or General Excellence), we did “If it’s in the get the most nominations New York —three—in Mother Jones history, including nods in Times today, it the Public Interest category was probably and for General Excellence in Mother for both Mother Jones and Jones six MotherJones.com. Nice to be months ago.” recognized by our magazine peers as finalists, especially —Fairness and since Mother Jones has been Accuracy in Reporting nominated in the General founder Jeff Cohen Excellence category three years running. Also, not one but two articles are finalists for the 2009 MOLLY National Journalism Prize: Jack Hitt’s “Pursuit of Habeas” (September/October 2008) and JoAnn Wypijewski’s “The Final Act of Abu Ghraib” (March/April 2008). The prize is presented by the Texas Observer and the Texas Democracy Foundation in honor of Molly Ivins.

4 the mother jones insider › spring/summer 2009 › www.motherjones.com The New MotherJones.com The fact that you’re reading “The Insider” told the story of how states from your computer monitor isn’t the only and public school districts pay sign that Mother Jones is making big digital for treatment of their most strides. MotherJones.com received a pretty dra- difficult children at the Center, matic overhaul earlier this year, and it wasn’t which uses the threat of electric just a face-lift. shock as behavioral “therapy.” We definitely wanted to make our arti- This special report generated cles, multimedia packages, and blogs easier hundreds of comments; more to read and search through on MotherJones important, the comments .com. But the real driver was that the website section became an organizing redesign is a huge step forward in shaping tool for parents, former the future of Mother Jones as a multiplatform students, and community news source. Thanks to your support, we’ve activists, which led state and Donate Online been able to do just that. With staff report- local officials to condemn, You know that Mother Jones is ers in San Francisco and Washington, DC, and work to close, the Judge truly reader-supported journal- we not only have the talent to create in- Rotenberg Center. ism, but we’ve made it easier depth investigative pieces for the magazine This is why we redesigned (we hope!) for you to manage in-house, we also have the ability to break MotherJones.com to do more your subscription and donation news on the website as we uncover it. than convey information. activity. At motherjones.com/ But Mother Jones is about more than Besides a much-improved support+subscribe, you can renew breaking news. The stories we report can commenting system, in your subscription, give have a real impact on our communities. Comments Central, you can see the gift of MoJo, and Nothing proved this more than the response which articles are most active or make a donation. to Jennifer Gonnerman’s cover story “School are recommended by the editors and your uncover. Our hope is that these tools will We’ve also added a Tip of Shock” (September/October 2007) about fellow readers. And as a registered user, you engage you in the search for solutions, and Jar to every story, which the Judge Rotenberg Center, located in a can flag comments as proposed solutions to lead to real change. means readers can now let us know Boston, Massachusetts, suburb. Jennifer or documented results for the problems we That’s not all! The site itself is an exercise which articles they find especially in community activism. We built it using the enlightening with a quick donation open-source software Drupal. That means through PayPal. the basic code that runs MotherJones.com is For the inside scoop on how MoJo According to Rachel Maddow, Tweeting isn’t a available to the public, for free. We’ve also got started, the office baby boom, our We Tweet! narcissistic sign of the end of civilization, but a great put some of the custom work we did back connection to Rolling Stone, and how way to update folks on the go. MoJo has jumped on the Twitter bandwagon, too. into the public domain so others can use it. we use your donations, click around at For all things MoJo, follow us on Twitter: @MotherJones. Pretty neat. motherjones.com/about. You can also show your love for MoJo by becoming a fan on Facebook. It’s So, if you haven’t already, make sure to Just like the rest of MotherJones a great way to learn about events in your area. And if you’re a coding whiz register yourself at MotherJones.com and join .com, we are constantly working to interested in helping us spruce up our Facebook pages with an app or two, email the conversation. And be sure to give your improve these pages. If you have new media editor Laura McClure at [email protected]. profile some flair by letting folks know feedback, we’d love to hear it. Email you’re a donor. [email protected].

5 the mother jones insider › spring/summer 2009 › www.motherjones.com Our donors run in pretty interesting circles, and they’re folks who do great things. Not Everyone That’s definitely true for the team of advertising pros who are helping us these days. keep in touch! Understands Us We met Larry Kopald, Peter Stranger, Rick Rabuck, and the folks at the advertising firm of Rabuck|Stranger atMother Jones events in the Los Angeles area. They love Join the MoJo online community. Like You Do what we do as journalists, but thought they could help us tell our story a bit better Register: motherjones.com/register (okay, a lot better). We took them up on the offer to help, and they’ve come up Got story tips? with ads like this one to make sure that Mother Jones readers know that we are a non- Email us: [email protected] profit and depend on them to continue our work. This is the first in a series, so be on the lookout for more in the pages of Mother Jones and online at MotherJones.com. How’s the new MotherJones.com? Tell us what you think: [email protected] Ready to renew your support? Do it online: motherjones.com/renew Want to make a monthly gift instead? Become a sustainer: motherjones.com/give_monthly Want to honor a hellraiser in your life? Make a tribute gift: motherjones.com/tribute Help us spread the word. Give a gift subscription: motherjones.com/support+subscribe Got ideas on how we can improve this newsletter? Email Stephanie Green: [email protected] Or drop us a line the old-fashioned way: Mother Jones magazine 222 Sutter Street, 6th Floor San Francisco, CA 94108 Phone: 415.321.1700 Fax: 415.321.1701

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6 the mother jones insider › spring/summer 2009 › www.motherjones.com