St. Mary and Franklin Banner-Tribune from Franklin, Louisiana • 10

Page 1 0, The Banner-Tribune, Franklin, Wednesday, June 30, 2004 A Democratic attack dog with 'manners of a Boy Scout' Miner must stay up past midnight or get up by 6 a.m. to troll the Web for the half-dozen or more papers he follows daily. In the modern media market, with Web sites and cable channels joining newspapers and TV networks, political news moves faster but can also get lost easily in the blur of a nonstop news A decade or so ago, research operations tended to be smaller and more insulated from other parts of a campaign or party structure "trolls who come out from under the rock every four years," as Backus puts it. These days, researchers such as Miner are much more integrated into daily political operations, work- By JOHN F. HARRIS The Washington Post WASHINGTON Jason Miner is even-keeled, fresh-faced and soft-spoken.

Here he is talking about President Bush and the Republican White House: "I'm not a big hater. I don't doubt that everything they do is for what they believe are the best of the de facto nominee, Miner has ordered the gang to knock it off. They're like dogs -they'll bite anyone, you just have to point them in the right direction," he said. Meanwhile, Miner and at least some of his staff may soon be working directly for Kerry. There are discussions about moving much of the DNC research operation to the Kerry campaign, according to campaign aides.

like finding information," Miner said, "and making connections with that information that no one else has made." Distributed by The Los Angeles Times-Washington Post selves the "minions," reference to a scolding the president's father, former President George H.W. Bush, gave in a 2000 interview, responding to Democratic critics of Cheney. They've got a little old minion sitting there with their dark glasses, you know, digging up dirt some little nerd sitting there in the Democratic National Committee." But the minions are nearly as irreverent with Democrats, lampooning all the presidential candidates, including Kerry and his portentous speaking style. so I ask, who among us would not enjoy a delicious Subway Now that Kerry is ''( CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY JULY 2ND Come Join Us At Security Finance Gift Certificate to Franklin Supermarket intentions. This guy is supposed to be a Democratic attack dog? Miner has more bite once he gets going: "I also have a very, very passionate belief that the things they stand for are fundamentally flawed and need to be stopped.

There's an arrogance to them that suggests they believe they should not be accountable." Over the past several years, probably no other person has devoted more waking hours to learning about Bush or dreaming of ways to make his life in the presidency more difficult than Miner, 32, research director for the Democratic National Committee. His staff of about 20 people culls public records, pores over transcripts and monitors news from across Refreshment! iB ICTVuJ Hot Doi Ckipi inJ Punili presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry, for voting to cut military spending, a check of the record showed that as secretary of defense a dozen years ago, Cheney had backed cuts to many of the same weapons systems. Miner's operation is subject to considerable second-guessing from their own side. For years, there has been grumbling among Democrats that the party simply isn't as good at harassing the opposition with negative news as Republicans were at tormenting President Bill Clinton.

There are differences between then and now, Miner says. Independent counsel investigations and congressional committees with subpoena power drove a lot of anti-Clinton news, he says. But Democrats have little power as the minority in Congress. Also, the abundance of conservative radio talk shows and Web sites overpower publicists for the liberal side. Miner said he doubts there will ever be parity.

Liberals don't favor the same formats and rambunctious style of argument as conservatives, he said, but he believes effective opposition research from either side gets a fair hearing if the facts are sound. "Things don't stick unless there is a nugget of truth in there," he said. "The best research is that which feeds into and helps build a narrative about a public figure. Otherwise you're just throwing stuff against the wall, and that doesn't work." Early in the administration, the DNC began a "grand old petroleum" project to highlight the administration's ties to the oil industry. More recently, his research shop has put out a daily e-mail trying to publicize alleged inconsistencies or misstatements from the Bush White House.

Co-opting a slogan and logo from Burger King, the e-mails are titled "Bush White House: Home of the Whopper" and promise "delicious dish" on alleged "lies, exaggerations, and distortions." The topics have ranged from serious, such as the Iraq war, to more trivial, including a blast at Bush's record as managing partner of the Texas Rangers baseball team. Miner's workers call them I rim 1 SECURITY tfTT fYT 'fV Manager. Helen DeVafcout irmiilWli Asst. Manager: NatcAe Davis Vou ttwnd When You Need SSJ 517 Main Street Franklin, La 70538 (337) 828-4505 JASON MINER, research director for the Democratic National Committee, scours public records, transcripts and media reports for anything that might reflect badly on the Bush administration. "I don't doubt that everything they do is for what they believe are the best of intentions," Miner says, but "I also have a very, very passionate belief that the things they stand for are fundamentally flawed and need to be stopped." (Washington Post photo by Cathy Kapulka.) Ur HI Www.fiiryiawclncfna.coni vpL rfPfi Grab your pepcent fob I lull the 0 tb! cycle.

The trick for operatives is to get stories helpful to their side placed in news outlets, then keep the story going for several days. When Bush was about to name a new "manufacturing czar" earlier this year to help restore jobs to that sector, Miner's researchers helped unearth facts about the Nebraska executive's record at his own company, which had laid off workers and opened a factory in China. But their hopes for an ongoing embarrassment faded; the White House scotched the planned appointment within hours of the first reports about the controversy. Sometimes the task of the research operation involves push-back. When Vice President Cheney lambasted Democratic ing closely with communications experts as they try to promote stories in an increasingly frenetic news environment.

Miner came of age as this transition was underway. The Connecticut native worked as an intern for Republican Rep. Nancy Johnson, his local legislator. He had to get references certifying he was a Democrat and not a spy when he later worked at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He did research for Harvey Gantt's unsuccessful 1996 Senate campaign against GOP Sen, Jesse Helms, N.C.

In 1997, he moved to the DNC research wing, taking the top job in 2001. The day starts with a 7:45 conference call, in which DNC aides try to craft a message for the news cycle. To prepare, the country. The idea is to find any little-known fact, impolitic statement or policy contradiction that, with the right push, might lead to damaging news coverage for the White House. Miner is one of those Washington operatives who exist in both parties people who are well-known to reporters and important players in shaping the news, even as most of the time they get little direct publicity.

"He's got a boy-next-door demeanor and the manners of a Boy Scout while he's dishing out the most damaging information," said Democratic consultant Jenny Backus, formerly of the DNC. "But he's effective because he knows what's legitimate news. He spins a story; he doesn't just splatter mud." Starting soon, enjoy a great deal MORE CHANNELS! Abortion foe expected to be reappointed to FDA panel tar 9 9 05 a 7 a 4. Mr Mi 0. On July 1 st with our NEW extended lineup, you'll have a variety of new choices as seen in the channel listing below.

The new channels are shown in Bold Italics. At the same time, several existing channels will move to a new channel number. These are shown in Gray. ActionMAX 362 363 Thriller Max WMax Eledronica Dance Progressive Soft Rock Hit List 915 916 917 918 919 364 365 5 Star Max Outer Max 366 920 Parly Favorites 921 80's 367 AT Max 370 Cinemax 380 NewWave 70's Solid Gold Oldies Sinaers Standards 922 923 924 925 JHl 382 383 showtime Showtime 2 Showtime Showcase Showtime Extreme Showtime Beyond The Movie Channel The Movie Channel 2 over-the-counter sales, but the FDA rejected the application. Hager's opposition to abortion and strong Christian beliefs have been a lightning rod for groups active in national debates over abortion and emergency contraception.

While he has written numerous articles for mainstream medical journals and some textbook chapters on reproductive issues, he has also authored several books that mix his medical and religious views. This background has made abortion rights groups sharply critical, but others see him as a hero. "If I was in David Hager's shoes, I'm not at all sure I'd want to stay on that committee," said David Stevens, executive director of the Christian Medical Association, which petitioned the FDA to take RU486 off the market. "His character has been assassinated by pro-abortion groups and by the media," said Stevens. "I would hope that he is reappointed because he is a man of science and a man of faith, and that's an important combination to have on one of these committees.

Being an atheist or an agnostic shouldn't be a requirement to serve." It was reported that the FDA's scientific staff opposed his first appointment and that political appointees in the agency promoted his candidacy. FDA advisory panels are influential because the agency generally follows their recommendations. The application to make Plan available over the counter was the first major recommendation involving Hager. Despite the overwhelming vote of the advisory panel for the application, the FDA decided in May there was insufficient information to approve it. Abortion rights proponents accused the FDA of allowing political considerations to overrule scientific assessment.

"Dr. Hager's ideological agenda compromises the scientific integrity of the FDA," said Scott Spear, national medical committee chairman of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Americans rely on the FDA as a trusted and objective safeguard. When science comes second, public health suffers. President Bush should appoint an unbiased expert who values science above all." By MARC KAUFMAN The Washington Post WASHINGTONA physician who is an outspoken opponent of abortion will be reappointed to the FDA's advisory panel on reproductive drugs despite loud protests from abortion rights advocates in Congress and the women's health community.

W. David Hager, a Kentucky obstetrician and specialist on infectious diseases of pregnancy and childbirth, has been informed that the FDA wants him to serve at least one more year, said FDA spokesman Brad Stone. "I'm honored to be considered for reappointment, and I do intend to serve," said Hager, director of an obstetrics and gynecology training program at Central Baptist Hospital, which is affiliated with the University of Kentucky. "I believe that I offer the ability to objectively evaluate data and arrive at sound decisions based on that information." Critics say Hager has no place on a science-based panel that advises the Food and Drug Administration because of his opposition to abortion and concerns about emergency contraception. In a letter to President Bush, a bipartisan group of representatives who support abortion rights said Hager should not be reappointed to the FDA's Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs because he "allowed his personal views to overshadow his duty to both the FDA and the American people." Hager, an advocate of some forms of religious healing and a former spokesman for a group that petitioned the FDA to rescind its approval of the abortion pill RU-486, was appointed in 2002 over similar protests.

"Dr. Hager's blatant opposition to so many safe and legal options makes him unfit to serve on this key Advisory Committee," said the letter, signed by Reps. Louise Slaughter, Diana DeGette, Nancy Johnson, and James Greenwood, R-Pa. The letter also strongly criticized Hager for being one of four panel members who voted to recommend against approving nonprescription sales of the emergency contraceptive Plan B. The 24 other panel members favored 926 Big Band Swing 927 Easy Listening 384 390 391 393 y8m omoomjazz Flix ESPN Now barker Jazz Blues 6UUv yvm 930 931 149 TBN 150 Biography 151 History International 155 National Geographic 160 Fuse 168 Boomerang 169 Toon Disney 170 Soapnet 174 Style 177 Gameshow Network 186 Hallmark 188 BET on Jazz 190 Nick Toons 191 Nick GAS 193 MTV Hits 195d VH-1 Classics 196d VH-1 Mega Hits 197d VH-1 Country 300 Encore 301 Encore Westerns 302 Encore love Stories 303 Encore Mystery 304 EncoreTrue Stories 305 Encore Action 306 Encore WAM! 307 Sundance 308 IFC 310 Turner Classic Movies 31 1 Lifetime Movie Network 320 STARZ! 321 STARZ! Theatre 322 BLACK STARZ! 323 STARZ! Family 932 Soundscarjes 601-605 ESPN Gameplan PPV 649 NBA TV 650 NBATV.com barker 651-661 NBA League Pass PPV 67-679vHltts 732 ESPN HD 734 Discovery HD Theater 736 INHDI 2 WBRZABC-Baton Rouge 3 KATCABC4afayelte 4 KADNFOX-Lafayette 5 WVLANBC-aton Rouge 6 WGMBFOX Baton Rouge 7 QVC 8b CNN 9 WAFBCBS-Baton Rouge 10 KlfYCBS-Lafoyette lib ESPN 12 WLPBPBS-Baton Rouge 13 KWBJ-LPIND-MorganGty 14 WWLCBS-New Orleans 15b PAXTV 16 The Weather Channel 17 Fox Sports Southwest 18b TBS The Superslation 19b EWTN 20 Home Shopping Network 21 Great American Country 22 CNN Headline News 23 TV Guide Channel 24 Lifetime 25 The Discovery Channel 26e BET 27 USA Network 28e TNT 29e FX 30 Spike TV 31 Nickelodeon 32 TLC 33 VH-1 34 35 Disney Channel 36e ESPN 2 37 TBN 38e Wland 39 Fox News 40 ABC Family Channel 41 Animal Planet 42 Speed Channel 43 CNBC 44 Discovery Health 45 Entertainment 46 MSNBC 47 Food Network 48 Outdoor life 49 Cox Sports TV 50 HBO 51 Cinemax 52 BLACK STARZ! 53 Showtime 54 The Movie Channel 55 STARZ! 56 Encore 57 C-SPAN 58v iN DEMAND 1PPV 59v iN DEMAND 2 PPV 60v iN DEMAND 4 PPV 61 WGNIND-Chicago, IL 62 KAJNFarnilyVisiorrlafayette 63e AMC 64 Bravo 65 Sci-Fi Channel 66 The History Channel 67 Cartoon Network 68 Travel Channel 69 Comedy Central 70 Outdoor Channel 71 HGTV 72 MOVIEplex 73 C-SPAN 2 74e MTV 98 Bulletin Board 100 Discovery Kids 101 The Science Channel 102 Discovery Espanol 103 Discovery Home Leisure 104 Discovery Times 106 Discovery Wings I JO Noggin 117 BBC America 120 The Golf Channel 121 ESPNews 122 ESPN Classic 123 NBA TV 124 Fox Sports World 125 Tennis Channel 128 TVG 139 CNNfn 140 Bloomberg 145 G4iechTV 147 Family Net 148 Inspirational life INHD2 HBO HD Showtime HD 933 Classical Masterpieces 934 Opera 935 Light Classical 936 Show Tunes 937 Contemporary Christian 938 Gospel 939 For Kids Only 940 Sounds of the Seasons 941 Musica Latina 942 Salsa Merengue 943 Rod 'En Espanol 944 Latin Love Songs 945 Mexkana otm (b) totic Coblt () Expondad Cobli id) Digital Coblt (ml Digital Millie Choict (p 'raiaiun Cbannil (M High Dfl-v'io" TV v) a Pay-par-viaw 738 740 742 750 751 752 Spice Playboy Not Network iN DEMAND Barker A 800 324 STARZ! Cinema 325 STARZ! Kids HBO HB02 34Up HBO Signature Hdu family 801-830 iN DEMAND PPV 901 Showcase 902 Today's Country 903 Classic Country 904 Americana 905 Bluegrass 906m and Hip Hop 907 Classic 908 Smooth 909 Rap 910 Metal 911m Rock 912 Power Rock 913 Classic Rock 914 Alternative Rock 341 342 343 344 345 346 350 351 354 360 361 HBO Comedy HBO Zone HBO latino HBOW HB02W HBO Latino Cinemax MoreMAXE COMMUNICATIONS 828-2302 395-2900 Offer i available to residential antomen in Cox wired, tericeoble locations only.

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