I appreciate it when I see reporters take into account the role that media figures play in shaping the discourse. Here's the opening of David Wiessler's article, "Clinton, Obama backers tone down rhetoric":
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Backers of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama toned down their rhetoric on Sunday for fear party infighting might turn voters against Democrats and deliver their votes into the hands of Republican John McCain.
All over the Sunday TV talk show circuit, journalists tried to get campaigners working for Clinton and Obama to attack the other side, but time and time again the supporters would not take the bait and tried to stay on the high road.
Wiessler notices TV talking heads trying to stir up manufactured outrage, and makes it clear that that's what they're doing. Maybe if we saw more reporters calling the TV guys on this kind of nonsense, they'd be more motivated to focus on real issues.
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