New York Times goes soft on Bradlee Dean

Categories: Media

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New York Times on Bradlee Dean
The New York Times has finally picked up the Bradlee Dean trail.

This weekend, the Times published a story on Dean's relationship to presidential candidate Michele Bachmann. They even sprung to send reporter Serge F. Kolvaleski all the way out to Annandale to get an in-person interview.

Unfortunately, the story was buried on the Style & Fashion page and doesn't offer much new information for those who have been following the Dean coverage for years. It's a light overview of what's already known about Dean, amounting to only a broad introduction of the controversial minister.


It's a shame. When we heard the Times was doing a piece on Dean, we were looking forward to seeing what they turned up. Here's an email we received from the Times earlier this month:

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New York Times on Bradlee Dean's style
Hope your day's going well! This is Celina Fang at the National photo desk at the New York Times. We were wondering if you guys happen to have any photos of the conservative minister Bradlee Dean? We're working on a story about his relationship with Michele Bachmann.

Like the email suggests, the focus of the article is Dean's ties to Bachmann.

Though Dean says they don't have much of a personal relationship, he's a big supporter of Bachmann's presidential candidacy. Bachmann has also appeared at Dean's events in the past.

Kolvaleski asserts that both parties benefit from being linked together:

Mr. Dean raises his profile with an association with a brand-name politician, and Mrs. Bachmann gets grass-roots followers who have been charged up on issues by Mr. Dean.

Bachmann wouldn't comment for the story, so we don't know whether she actually agrees that it's a good thing.

To his credit, Kolvaleski did manage to land an interview with one of Dean's former street team members, a group that has spurred some controversy itself. From the story:

The tandem has won over people like Nate Kowalik, 35, of Plymouth, Minn., who is a big supporter of them both.

"When Bradlee says something on his show, it reinforces the message that she is trying to get out to the American voting public," he said. "I just love it when one says something, and the other reiterates it."

And he is such a fan of Mr. Dean's ministry and radio show that he worked as a volunteer in summer 2009 on You Can Run's street teams. "I like the fact that Bradlee and the others are so pro-family and that they reinforce purity and a healthy lifestyle," Mr. Kowalik said.

The Times story doesn't mention it, but people like Kowalik have been essential to the financial success of Dean's ministry, You Can Run But you Cannot Hide International.

In 2009, street team members raked in more than $444,000 in donations, according to tax records filed with the IRS.

For the whole Times story, click here.

Previous Coverage:

  • Bradlee Dean's lawyer: "Rachel Maddow's career is over"
  • Bradlee Dean's Benediction
  • Bradlee Dean Interview, Part 1: The Early Days, Finding God, and the Public School Circuit
  • Bradlee Dean Interview, Part 2: Taxes, Michele Bachmann, and the Capitol Prayer Debacle

  • My Voice Nation Help
    9 comments
    louis revilla
    louis revilla

    This guy is a fool and a con man. First of all, Metallica hairdos went out a long time ago. He reminds of that guy on "Rock of Love," second, what are HIS "credentials?"Uneducated, "Biblical scholar?"

    Come on, we have ENOUGH of these in the public arena. Shut him down.

    Johnny
    Johnny

    As loathsome as Dean is, does he rate any ink at all?

    Jay
    Jay

    They put him in the STYLE section!?

    jww
    jww

    So you're saying track suits and ponytails aren't stylish?   

    Kirk the Conservative Jerk
    Kirk the Conservative Jerk

    Damn you New York Times, express your hate! You need to be more militant like us here at CP.  Besides, isn't "tolerance" way too overrated.  Gandhi was idiot...

    louis revilla
    louis revilla

    Once again ,"el trollship," speaks, and his lackeys listen.Otherwise your drivel is rather primitive, don't you think?

    If "tolerance" is "over-rated," perhaps you SHOULD thank CP for allowing your flatulence to continue unabated.

    Michelle Bachmann
    Michelle Bachmann

    I don't think City Pages needs a lecture in tolerance from a bigot liar like you who makes fun of dead children just because they are gay.  

    Kirk the Conservative Jerk
    Kirk the Conservative Jerk

    You think?  We all know your hateful elitist attitude entitles you to say things like, "I know CP doesn't need a lecture"...

    Michelle Bachmann
    Michelle Bachmann

    I don't think you know what hateful means kirk.   Hateful people are those that think its ok to mock dead children.    Republicans are hateful people, that's why the booed an active duty US solider at their last debate.   To Republicans its more important to hate gay people than to respect the troops.   I'm sure that made you and Bradlee proud to be Republicans when you guys booed a war hero for daring to be gay.    Keep booing soldiers Republicans.  Everyone that is paying attention can see what the Republican Party stands for these days, cheering death and booing soldiers.     I can't think of a more apt word to describe Republicans than hateful.

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