Campaigns And The Press
It has long been clear that the mainstream media cannot handle more than two candidates for an office at a time, and sometimes even has trouble with two. Six Democrats (by my count) have announced their intentions to run for President in 2008, yet the press has given its attention to only two: Obama and Clinton. News on the Vilsack, Biden, Kucinich, and Edwards campaigns rarely appear in print, and certainly not on Page One.
What I hadn't realized, however, is that this type of media coverage has an effect on the world press as well. A recent article in Germany's Financial Times marveled at the possibility of either a woman candidate or an African American candidate leading the Democratic ticket. The columnist also reduced the Republican field to two: Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. He affixes the "hero" label to each of those two gentlemen, which is interesting in and of itself, especially with respect to what follows in the column.
Ironically, the German journalist takes a swipe at his American counterparts for their timidity and obsequiousness in dealing with whoever wins the White House:
What makes things even more difficult is the quasi-monarchial respect which is bestowed on the president as head of state. Journalists rise when he enters a room, and homage paid to the nation's highest public office forbids certain forms of aggressive questioning and the expressions of doubt that European heads of state are routinely subject to. The past six years have showed the dangers of such conduct - a realization that has been brought by some outsiders into the U.S.-Debate.
He is correct, of course. The White House Press Corps is notorious for the soft questions and polite follow-ups when dealing directly with the President, and the press isn't all that much more aggressive when dealing with the President's Press Secretary or other White House official sources. What the German journalist seems to be implying, if only by context, is that the press should end that practice and should begin by being tougher on the candidates during the campaign.
Yes, that would be helpful. What would also be helpful is having a press corps reporting on all the candidates, not just those deemed by the press to be the front runners.
What I hadn't realized, however, is that this type of media coverage has an effect on the world press as well. A recent article in Germany's Financial Times marveled at the possibility of either a woman candidate or an African American candidate leading the Democratic ticket. The columnist also reduced the Republican field to two: Rudy Giuliani and John McCain. He affixes the "hero" label to each of those two gentlemen, which is interesting in and of itself, especially with respect to what follows in the column.
Ironically, the German journalist takes a swipe at his American counterparts for their timidity and obsequiousness in dealing with whoever wins the White House:
What makes things even more difficult is the quasi-monarchial respect which is bestowed on the president as head of state. Journalists rise when he enters a room, and homage paid to the nation's highest public office forbids certain forms of aggressive questioning and the expressions of doubt that European heads of state are routinely subject to. The past six years have showed the dangers of such conduct - a realization that has been brought by some outsiders into the U.S.-Debate.
He is correct, of course. The White House Press Corps is notorious for the soft questions and polite follow-ups when dealing directly with the President, and the press isn't all that much more aggressive when dealing with the President's Press Secretary or other White House official sources. What the German journalist seems to be implying, if only by context, is that the press should end that practice and should begin by being tougher on the candidates during the campaign.
Yes, that would be helpful. What would also be helpful is having a press corps reporting on all the candidates, not just those deemed by the press to be the front runners.
Labels: Election 2008, the Press
posted by Diane at 8:50 AM
1 Comments:
As usual, you are correct.
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