New York Times forgets the U.S. is a democracy

The Times reports today that Carolyn Maloney has decided not to challenge Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary for Hillary Clinton's former Senate seat, and goes on to declare:

Mrs. Maloney’s decision potentially clears the path for Ms. Gillibrand, who Gov. David A. Paterson picked to fill Hillary Clinton’s vacant seat in January, for the Democratic party’s nomination in the race for United States Senate next year.

"Potentially" is right, because my old friend and colleague Jonathan Tasini has already declared that his hat is also in the ring. This is not the first time that the Times has failed to mention Tasini's candidacy, and I am sure it will not be the last. Jonathan Tasini is not some sort of fringe candidate, but a Democrat with the same right to run in this primary as any other. He just happens to be a very progressive Democrat, which obviously means that his name is not fit to print.

Photo: The forgotten man, Jonathan Tasini.

Who's behind the attacks on health care reform? A roundup of the major players by the excellent McClatchy Newspapers.