Jonathan August Martin is a former American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft and has also played for the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at Stanford.
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I am a long-time political reporter covering my third presidential cycle, now for The New York Times. Today we're talking about the upcoming Republican and Democratic conventions, and explaining their role in a presidential race and why they matter. AMA about this year's presidential campaign, what it's like to cover this or any campaign, and the upcoming conventions.
PROOF: https://twitter.com/jmartNYT/status/753603505307414528
can you do me a solid and throw a cake to both Hilary Clinton and Donald trump face?
Well. Quite the first Reddit Q!
Have you ever seen a candidate who is so hostile to the media as Trump? Thoughts about how he wanted to ban the Washington Post from covering him?
The threat against the Post was troubling. But he doesn't seem to carry such things out. He just gave them an interview a few days ago. He seems to enjoy press coverage.
How do you cover a political candidate who is so openly hostile to the press?
He seems to enjoy press coverage a great deal, does lots of interviews. But also has a tendency to lash out at times. Quite the duality.
Do you find that some conservatives are unwilling to talk to you because you're with the Times? How do you maintain working relationships with people that the Times has criticized?
No, not really. Most folks are very friendly. Some will gently rib ya, but that's about it.
What do you think about echo chambers?
I have a lot of respect for the "mainstream media" as some people call it here. But many people read news from only questionable sites, which only support one agenda even with misleading or false informations.
I wrote about this after the 2012 race, the trend of people seeking out news/info sources that only affirm their views. No question it's one of the reasons why polarization has hardened and the parties have purified.
I've been a Times subscriber for years, and I am not a Trump supporter. However, the coverage of this election season seems to have been strongly biased, to the point where I feel like I'm reading opinion pieces when I scroll through the articles on the front page. Why is the Times doing this instead of adhering to more neutral journalistic standards?
He is deviating from longtime pol norms and we're covering that for what it is, not reporting on a curve. I think we're being true to the nature of his campaign.
European guy here (just to clarify that I'm not into the details as much as someone who actually lives in the US)
I got my impression like one or two months ago that the GOP was in shambles and didn't know what to do now that Trump was their candidates, since the republican establishment didn't like him.
But I haven't read much more later.
Where are we now?
There are still major divisions in the party over Trump and his policies.
Jonathan what is the toughest part of covering the campaigns and what type of security protocol well be in place for reporters at the convention?
It's a lot of fun! No big downside. But security can be a hassle.
Do you watch House of Cards and get really excited when they have the press conferences and other journalist scenes?
I did watch some of them. No, didn't get terribly excited!
I read yesterday that Clinton and Trump are tied statistically in many states. What will it take for Trump to seal the deal? What about for Hillary-how can she regain her lead?
She is still narrowly ahead in many key states, but OH, PA appear close.
Do you like piƱa coladas in the rain?
Also, hillary or trump?
I did like pina coladas - in any weather!
Why do you think people feel the same way about Clinton the way they do about Trump?
can you expound on that?
What are your personal views about Donald Trump? Are you going to vote for him? How does that affect your ability to write a neutral story?
I don't vote! Haven't cast a ballot in years.
Why do you think Hillary won Ohio comfortably but lost Michigan? Does that have any reflection on GE.
Good question. I think she did not drive her econ message as effectively in MI and did not do as good a job w black turnout. Bernie also put a LOT of effort into MI.
But, no, I don't think it has implications for the general. MI is an easier lift for Ds than OH. And may be even easier this year because of Trump's difficulties with college-educated voters in places like suburban Detroit that Rs need to win.
Going back over these past three cycles, what has been your favorite moment? And has the process changed at all? Do you see a pattern or have things changed the way the Media handles their coverage?
Also, any recommendations on articles for both sides?
Well, I really liked seeing Tebow and Harvin at The Swamp in 2007. Was there w the late Fred Thompson, who did a bus tour of Florida. We wound up at the Tenn-Florida game. Good times. As for something more meaningful, being in Selma w Obama, Hillary, WJC in March of '07 was quite a moment.
Why do we keep seeing polls where the minority representation is a lot lower than RV % or 2012 exit polls. E.g. Florida polls recently where Hispanics were < 10% of the responses?
Which polls do you have in mind?
Are you still mad at Richie Incognito?
I wrote a story about this issue! Got a TON of tweets after it went down. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/13/sports/football/the-new-york-timess-jonathan-martin-gets-tweets-for-the-miami-dolphins-jonathan-martin.html?_r=0
Since we haven't had a candidate who blatantly lied/lies as often as Trump (or says untruths), do you find it hard calling balls and strikes when you report on the general? Side note: I like reading your work, you avoid the lazy conventual wisdom.
See my earlier answer to the NYT subscriber about how we cover Trump. I think our coverage does reflect the extraordinary nature of his campaign.