Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I know it’s officially election season…

when accusations fly of biased coverage and incompetent reporting.
I always get a kick out of the extreme paranoia/hyper-sensitivity of the campaign season, especially in the days leading up to an election. Supporters are on edge. The media is often given a look of disdain.
Candidates - but more often the supporters - analyze every word of a seemingly straightforward, mundane article. Column inches are counted. Even the structure of an article, such as who is quoted last, supposedly is a clue to the reporter’s soul and political leanings.
Occassionally, there is the token accusation of being part of the liberal media or catering to the local Republican majority. Maybe those reactions should be expected when people devote many hours to a cause. They often become emotionally attached.
Of course, all the name-calling pales in comparison to the candidate who referred to me several years ago as “a carpet-baggin’ Yankee (expletive),” following a failed campaign.
I suppose I am from the north - Caldwell County. I could be the first Caldwell County native ever to be accused of such.
Yep, it’s election season. This should be a fun two weeks.