[Clipping: Smothers blasts press for 'irresponsible' poll] Part: 1 of 2
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Smothers blasts pr
for
Times Herald Austin Bureauirresponsible
responsible bitter humo by n ..num a ew inept cUe trhe poll journalism "unfit for Mr.
AUSTIN - An informal press poll reporters." Peepers Bookstore," an adults-only book
ranking "the 10 dumbest legislators" Rep. Dave Allred, D-Wichita Falls, a store in Austin.
has drawn furious attacks by two Dallas .former newspaper reporter, asked that "What bothers me more than any-
County lawmakers, one of whom de- Smother ', speech be recorded in the thing else is that I have a mother, and I
handed the capitol press be banished House Journal, have a wife, and a son and a daughter
from the House floor. "I fully support the rating of mem- who, because of the press corps, will
Reps. Clay Smothers, D-Dallas, a for- bers of the House, the questioning of read in the papers that their daddy is
mer television journalist himself, and T. their votes, and questioning anything 'slime,"' Smothers said.
H. McDonald, D-Mesquite, reacted to else connected with'their political of- "I fear the dignity of the Capitol
H survey in fiery speechesqt on the fice, Smothers told the hushed House. Press is at stake, and should the institu-
the House floor Tuesday. h I believe, however, this evaluation tions they represent honor these stories,
os flobors Tuesdayn should be supported by facts. Some of they are sinking to a low, if not a new
Both members were listed in the poll. us in our campaigns will be called upon low."
uThe ratings stories were reported by the to explain away this stupid bit of humor McDonald said the capitol press corps
pAustind bubheau of ateCrs NCwspa- being published by a few inept report- should reveal the name of the reporter
Cpern Tbihes nprd the ou itimers. who started the poll, "and If they refuse
S asCaller Times. One reported the outcome "We cannot continue to sit idly by to do that, I recommend we move the
of anInformal poll of writers who cover while the leadership of this House is media space to the gallery so they will
the ruse. also called slime." not be contaminated."
Smthers received a standing ovation Smothers said he had no quarrel McDonald also recommended revok-
'after attacking the survey as "stupid, ir- against press rankings of legislators, but ing the press credentials of reporters in-I
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>:-E. Times Herald Aus
AUSTIN
backing up
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Cla)Smothers... that it was !
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volvtd in the ratings. But Rep.
Aired said he disagreed with Mc- Rusk, said
Donald, even though one of the Harte- tempt to den
Hanks stories poked fun at him too. federal order
He said the majority of the Capitol requiring thi
press corps "are responsible journalists" establish co
and declared that "the people's right to houses across
know, which is paramount, is served by "I am dead
giving the press access to the floor." attention on1
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Dallas Times Herald. [Clipping: Smothers blasts press for 'irresponsible' poll], clipping, [1976..1978]; Dallas, TX. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1787796/m1/1/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.