Critics of an ideological, partisan American politics especially those who would alter that politics by adding a third major party to the mix — generally complain as much about the tone of public discourse as about its substance. Washington has become a mean, soul-destroying place, they say. So mean, in fact, that good folks interested in commonsense solutions to basic problems no longer want to work there. And the media — delighting in their game of”gotcha,” eager to “twist” meaning in the service of a “food fight” — are greatly to blame for this sorry state of affairs. That’s what Ross Perot tells us, anyway. From his regular perch on Larry King Live.
It’s undeniable that political journalism is easily distracted by conflict, the nastier the better. And daily reporting can be inaccurate, malicious, or distorted through “spin,” a process that sometimes leaves appalling incompetence unpunished and worthy careers destroyed. Why, then, do politicians submit to the harsh rigors of publicity? Because it is “part of the job.” But also, truth be told, because media attention offers a tremendous psychological reward. It feels good. And for a certain kind of public figure, it may feel too good.
