THREAD. I've been thinking about the media's role in the 2016 election. And how nothing has really changed in 2020. And I'm concerned. The story behind this photo keeps popping in my head. This is my dad's most famous photo that he took as a White House press photographer. 1/

By the time my dad landed at the White House, he was a seasoned photographer - he'd covered the Detroit unrest (pics featured), the Munich Massacre, Wounded Knee - and countless other historical events. 2/

All this to say, my dad knew what he was doing on the day Reagan and Thatcher took Lucky for a stroll. It's one thing to get the kind of photo that everyone gets during a photo op - it's another to get that candid moment. Both featured here for side by side comparison. 3/

As the story goes, all press were in their area. All shooting the Prez and the PM on this cute little outing. My dad noticed that everyone was getting the same shot. So, he got down on the ground to get a different angle. Lucky, the dog, saw him and made a beeline to my dad. 4/

In 2016, as DJT was running, so many things came out about him: rape allegations, "grab 'em by the pussy" audio, racism, etc. It was a 24/7 news cycle dedicated to him. People like myself sure folks would see how dangerous he was if news got out. Everyone taking the same shot. 5/

We were all wrong.

6/

It's 2020, I've been glued to the news during the events of the past few weeks: @CNN @MSNBC all taking the same shots. I went to Fox News on Friday night to listen to his phone call in real time. I hate them. Completely. But they're really smart. I know, but hear me out. 7/

They speak to their viewers' fear, they speak to how DJT will keep them safe, so that when their viewers or undecideds pop over to more liberal networks, they see their fears confirmed. They don't see anything that could change their minds. 8/

Fox has answers for everything - and it's believable for those who don't do further research (and it's elitist to denigrate these folks, frankly, so I'm not gonna put them down - they're trusting their news source, I get that - and I want that, too). 9/

I sincerely don't think it's possible for @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to win if the liberal outlets don't get down on the ground to get that different angle. We're currently in a 24/7 advertisement for POTUS with every single network contributing. 10/

I'd really love to challenge @CNN @cnnbrk @MSNBC to taking the focus away from getting DJT's name spelled right, and focusing on what @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris' plans are. To advertise FOR them. I know, there's way more money in the gotcha/outraged journalism. 11/

Instead, I would love to see @CNN and @MSNBC talking about this brilliant ad - and interviewing the mayors who participated in it. Bring Biden/Kamala campaign staff in to talk about what it's like working with them. Interview Obama! 12/ https://twitter.com/flywithkamala/status/1314943140462198791

I guess this is all to say, it feels like the media is complicit in the 2016 election. And I'd like to ask @ChrisCuomo @ErinAndrews etc to be like my dad, to get down on the ground and find another angle - like he did here in 1967 amid the Detroit unrest. 13/12

Bonus: Here's a pic of me and my dad at the White House.

Note: All photos in this thread were taken by Jim Hubbard (my dad), with the exception of the one above, obvs. Photographer unknown ; educated guess: dad's colleague from another outlet. And, if you're interested, here's more of my pop's work: http://www.jimhubbardphoto.com/