Denouncing and Renouncing

While perusing the New York Times, I found an opinion piece related to the role of the media in politics. This article details the game of denouncing and renouncing to which journalists subject public figures, exemplified by Obama being asked to comment on the racist remarks made by his pastor. The point is that the media make a circus out of these comments instead of focusing on more important issues.

Writer Stanley Fish says, “This denouncing and renouncing game is simply not serious. It is a media-staged theater, produced not in response to genuine concerns – no one thinks that Obama is unpatriotic or that Clinton is a racist or that McCain is a right-wing bigot – but in response to the needs of a news cycle…The odd thing is that the press that produces these distractions and the populace that consumes them really believe they are discussing issues and participating in genuine political dialogue.”

Even though candidates aren’t responsible for the remarks others make, sometimes asking for comment brings out elements of their own character and leads to a greater amount of honest discussion, such as in the case of Obama’s response to the issue of race. I heard about his pastor’s comments and was intrigued to listen to Obama’s entire speech. I found it to be an enlightening statement about a critical issue affecting our country.

On the other hand, sometimes media focus on incendiary remarks and their responses can throw more important issues to the wayside. Also, most likely not everyone will be driven to find firsthand information.

“Meanwhile, the things the candidates themselves are saying about really important matters – war, the economy, health care, the environment – are put on the back-burner until the side show is over, though the odds are that a new one will start up immediately,” Fish says.

From keeping up pretty well with the news, I still hardly know McCain’s or Clinton’s stances on most issues. I only know where Obama stands because I make an effort to receive his e-mail updates and go on his Web site. It may take more time than reading a news article, but at least I get the whole picture – what some news outlets aren’t giving me.