The Larry Kane Report

Like all of you. I’ve watched with fascination as the Larry Mendte saga played out. I have offered no opinion, nor will I on exactly what transpired , except to say that I was astounded by it all. I was astounded because of the level of the problem, and how it seemed to careen out of control, like a car speeding toward a ravine with no driver at the wheel.

I was astounded, but not surprised, because I have been watching the seeds of insecurity and anxiety planted in many newsrooms. What I’m talking about here is the impact of celebrity, the distorted image someone gets by being famous, and the insecurity of it all. I have watched normal people sucked into believing their own press notices, some of them fearing the next young anchor or reporter. Way before this traumatic case, I watched people plant negative news stories, try to harm others in newsrooms, and play a scary and sickening game of “he-said, she said.” Some of the antics I’ve witnessed were ugly – others just juvenile. But even to an experienced newsroom “lifer” like me, this story of the past six months was astonishing.

I suppose it happens outside of TV, but TV newsrooms are a breeding ground for this kind of behavior because of the egos and sometimes the feeding of those egos. Sometimes it is fed by executives who enjoy watching the “show’, or who fail to provide the support system to reinforce good work. Other times it is simply a case of ambition gone wild. In most cases, it involves on-air personalities forgetting that it’s really all about the news – and not themselves.

It is interesting to me that the most successful station of the last 38 years has been the station where the cult of personality is overwhelmed by the search for a quality product. There is no one at Channel Six who counts the amount of stories they read, or who seems to put their own personality above the importance of the “team.”

I won’t judge Larry Mendte.The justice system has. The truth is that he worked very hard to get where he got to. He’s done a lot of good, but apparently behind that hard work was a troubled soul. I will only say that if there is a heroine to his story, it is his devoted wife who has managed to keep this all together. Dawn Stensland has gone through hell and back on this one. Those of us who have worked with her have a deep respect for her loyalty.

As far as Alycia Lane: I wish her well. By the formal plea of her former co-anchor, she is a victim. You have to wonder what this has been like for her and her family. She is not alone.

This kind of insecurity-bred behavior that was exposed by the investigation is even more prevalent the higher you go. Network newsrooms are famous for these games. But in local news operations, I’ve always found that there is a special place for trouble, especially when the anchors have too much power. Was that the problem here? No one can answer that, but this story, it’s truth and its consequences, is really a living lesson on several fronts: celebrity can be distorting; unbridled insecurity can cause uncontrollable behavior, and managers and editors must have control over their newsrooms.

The management at Channel 3 acted quickly to change the casts once it realized that there was no going back. The new team seems pleasant and energetic. One would hope that all relationships in TV, in your workplace, and in all team endeavors would be based on mutual reliance, and not on fear and loathing.

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You wonder what happened to common sense in big business?

Think of it? You are the CEO’s of a struggling industry. You have a potential bankruptcy facing you because of decades of poor management colliding head on with a battered economy. So you come to Washington to beg for a bailout. You arrive in corporate jets that cost $20,000 an hour to operate. Instead of opting for a round trip ticket flying commercial, the auto chiefs, crying poverty and seeking a bailout, undermine their plight by flying in lavish style

Can you get any dumber? Are you so arrogant that you don’t understand how bad it looks? Do you care?

I am atunned by the arrogance of power. These are the same people who fail to understand why people won’t buy cars that are not energy efficient.

There are lots of events that can you angry, but few that require a lack of common sense like the big travel mistake of the auto giants. Their industry is in trouble, on the edge of insolvency, and they are heading to Washington in luxury jets. What a great reward for an average job of keeping American auto-building competitive anf vibrant.

These guys should get on public transit like the rest of us.

They should admit shame for their public display of grotesque spending in a time of layoffs and economic uncertainty.

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The bailout story can make you sick. There is no oversight. The Treasury Boss wants to change the focus to credit companies. The Treasury keeps bailing out AIG and all the other companies run by incompetents, and has NO interest in saving the heart of our economy – the auto industry.

Barack Obama will try to save what’s left of the U.S. car industry, but 67 days may be too long to wait.

And what about a bailout for cities in financial trouble? In Philadelphia, the library closings will hit hard, especially in an economy where it is very difficult for chiidren and their parents to buy books. The library system in America levels the educational playing field. We need to find a way to keep those libraries open.

On a much different note, we need to bring back Stan Hochman, Bill Campbell and Bill Lyons, and other great sportswriters. I really don’t like critiquing my fellow journalists but we might have a bully at the keyboard.

Andy Reid is a man of steel. He knows this is a tough town, but the word hatchet thrown by Inky reporter Ashley Fox was a kick in the groin that deserves a penalty flag. The columnist’s attack on the good coach was as close to assassination in print as I’ve ever seen in this town, and I’ve seen a lot of gonzo journalism here. Fox’s Tuesday rant on the coach wasn’t even close to objective – it was an angry rant.

I don’t know Fox, but I can say with clarity that her attempt to nuke Reid in print was a pure act of pandering to the fans. If she wants to be a fan, so be it. If she wants to be reporter, or even a columnist, she can do a classier job of taking on the coach. I don’t know about you, but 5 and 4 is a decent record the last time I looked.

Besides, by Sunday the Eagles will be 6 and 4.

Sometimes, even a Philly sportswriter can accentuate the positive.

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The political tip sheet.

First, Sarah Palin. Love her or leave her, the attacks against Palin by insiders in the McCain campaign are cheaper than cheap. True. She was not a good candidate, but the blame game as being played out right now is shameful.

Watch for Palin, we understand, to soon grant a network interview to tell her side of the story.

Tom Kean? Remember him. Standup former NJ Governor and co-chair of the extensive 9/11 commission report which was dissed by Bush White House. We understand the Republican icon is being considered for the Obama adminstration, either at Homeland Security or the National Security Council. He would be a good choice and help fulfill the Obama promise of recruiting Republicans in his administration.

Other local faces to watch: Josh Shapiro, Pa. State Representative. Shapiro is one of the first public officials to endorse Obama. Congressman Patrick Murphy , another early bird for Obama, will stay in his job. Murphy has eyes on the U.S. Senate, Arlen Specter’s seat. That won’t happen. Perhaps the most interesting person to watch will be Pa. Senator Bob Casey, who endorsed Obama at a critical point of the Spring primaries. Casey will be the closest U.S, Senator to the Obama White House. That fact will have an immeasurable impact on Pennsylvania.

Moving to New Jersey: US Attorney Chris Christie will decide soon whether to challenge Governor Jon Corzine next year. Corzine is hoping for a cabinet bid from Obama. Corzine hates elective politics.

Ed Rendell? With the Lt. Governor battling cancer, and two years left in his term, the Governor has limited options. But the Obama team would be wise to cozy up with Rendell who has sway over many of his fellow Democatic Governors in the country.

Final note, for now.

All is peaceful now. America has elected a new President. But should we forget the slanders and innuendos and hate mongering of the campaign? Or should we just sit back and wait for them to happen next time?

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Some of the vote returns from here and there are astounding. It wasn’t just the states –it was the margins. The Obama margins in Indiana, Florida, Iowa, New Mexico, Colorado and Virginia speak volumes to the change that people wanted. Virginia was especially impressive, and Indiana , to most of us who have followed these campaigns for decades, was amazing.

Also fantastic –the touch of class from John McCain. It was typical McCain, who spoke with a sense of history and with so much grace.

Obama’s speech was VERY Presidential, another indication that he knows how to sieze the moment.

Other highlights – the dramatic change in the Philadelphia suburbs, now one of the nation’s most important voting blocs, The plurality from Philadelphia also made the day for Obama.

The biggest winners, whatever side you were on, were all of you.

The electiom brought a surge of interest and excitement about the political system.

It’s about time.

Running out of time here. I’ll have more shortly.

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