So
we get a press release from the Secretary of State’s office saying another
petition has been approved for circulation. We check the SOS web page to see
how many other petitions have been certified for the 2014 ballot already. Four
of them. One is referred to as “version 1, blue paper.” Then there’s “version
1, yellow paper.” Then there’s “version 2, blue paper.” And then there’s
“version 2, yellow paper.”
What
the heck is that? We ask ourselves.
Thinking
erroneously that we could get our question answered in about 30 seconds, we call
the SOS elections division. We make a terrible mistake. “This is Bob Priddy
with the Missourinet. I have a question about the petitions listed on the web
page as approved for circulation,” I say.
“Just
a minute, Bob,” she says.
And
then there is a silence for several seconds.
A
new voice comes on, “Secretary of State’s office,” the young lady
says.
“Hi,
this is Bob Priddy with the Missourinet. I have a quick question about the
petitions listed on your website for circulation in 2014. Some are listed as
‘version one, blue paper’ and ‘version 1, yellow paper.’ Can you tell me what
those mean.”
“Well,
let me check with the elections division…”
“Wait
a minute,” I say, “where are you? Aren’t you in the elections
division?”
“No,
I’m in the information division. We handle all media calls.”
“So
I called the elections division with a simple question and got sent to you and
now you have to contact the elections division to find out what I wanted to ask
them?”
“Yes,
if you’ll give me your contact number I can go get that for you.”
Memo
to fellow reporters: If
you have a question for anybody in Robin Carnahan’s office, do NOT identify
yourself as being with the media. Just say, “Hello, this is Joe Furd. I have a
question about the petitions you have listed on your web page.” Chances are you
will get right through to someone who knows what the hell you’re asking
about.
Bob Priddy
News Director
Missourinet