WKRN in Nashville covers the Associated Press story of Fred Thompson’s campaign visit to Nashville with the headline, “Thompson campaign bus rumbles through rural Iowa”. When John Edwards visited Missoula, Montana, however, we were told by the headline chosen by the local press that “John Edwards Sweeps Into Missoula”.
Fred Thompson rumbles. John Edwards sweeps.
Of course, really, Fred Thompson and John Edwards did the exact same thing. They both traveled to particular places to make campaign appearances.
Yet, the headlines tell different stories about the candidates. Fred Thompson is a rumbler, suggesting weighty power. John Edwards is a sweeping visitor, on the other hand, suggesting pizazz.
I know that the editors are trying to sell newspapers with exciting headlines, but I would trust their publications more if they refrained from editorializing in their headlines. It’s not the place of a journalistic story to tell me that one candidate is a rumbler, while another is sweeping.
Just tell me that John Edwards has visited Missoula, or that Fred Thompson has come to campaign in Iowa. I’ll look at the substance of the candidates and determine their character, thanks.
