San Diego newspaper hosting 'one-stop shop' for state GOP candidates

In an apparent continuation of its stance of "taking positions," U-T San Diego, the largest newspaper in San Diego, will be hosting a media training 'one-stop shop' for California conservative political candidates this coming Tuesday.

According to San Diego Citybeat, the paper offered to avail itself to the San Diego County branches of both the Republican and Democratic parties for workshops.

However, only the local GOP has taken the conservative-leaning newspaper up on the offer; The Los Angeles Times reported that it sent out an invitation to the event, which will include a welcome by the newspaper's Vice Chairman and CEO, John Lynch, as well as training in how to put together a press release and getting "noticed" by the media. Attendees will also take part in a networking mixer in the newspaper's new auto museum, which had attracted scrutiny from city officials.

Jess Durfee, chairperson of the San Diego County Democratic Party, told CityBeat his office did receive an overture from U-T San Diego, but declined to take part, citing the newspaper's increasingly strident defense of Republican politics since being bought by developer Doug Manchester last year, such as an editorial naming President Barack Obama the "worst president of all time"

"We know that at the end of the day, in any competitive race, they will endorse a Republican," Durfee said. "It's not an open and fair process."

Earlier this year, Lynch offered no apologies for its stance to the New York Times.

"We are doing what a newspaper ought to do, which is to take positions," Lynch said. "We are very consistent — pro-conservative, pro-business, pro-military — and we are trying to make a newspaper that gets people excited about this city and its future."

["Closeup of stack of newspapers" by STILLFX on Shuttlestock]