Gotcha!!

Try to imagine this. You're a politician in the national spotlight. You've had three days of non-stop activities---speaking to people you've never seen, answering a myriad of questions that range from the ridiculous to the sublime. You've had countless microphones thrust in your face, you've eaten quick meals while hundreds of camera flashbulbs illuminate the room, you have not had a decent night's sleep in a little more than a week. At the end of the day, you mutter an inane answer to a question. The next day---GOTCHA!

It seems the only function of media today is to pester newsmakers, be they political or other in nature, until they FINALLY say something you can run with---something that makes headlines---something that makes for a great segue tease out of the commercial break.

One of my Virginia Tech Political Professors, Dr. Bob Denton, told us that everyone will say something stupid, if they talk enough. With the innumerable TV Cameras, Microphones, and Cell Phones waiting to record every politician's utterance; its a wonder it doesn't happen far more often.

As I read and hear the national media's breathless reporting today of Sarah Palin's gaffe on the history of Paul Revere, I am saddened. We are facing a 14 Trillion dollar debt, we have armies serving in hostile zones overseas, we are faced with critical decisions on entitlement spending and Palin makes the "A-Block" of every newscast?? And she's not even a Presidential Candidate!!

Lest ye think I am showing my conservative colors, I felt the exact same way when President Obama caught flak about signing the wrong date in the Palace Book in London last week---or when he misspoke about "57 states."

It would be wonderful if the same collective energy the national media devotes to making mountains out of molehills could be applied to raising the level of debate in this country about the stuff that actually matters. But that wouldn't sell nearly as well. Those of us offended by every hack who makes a lead story out of minor misstep should be more vocal. If not, this "Entertainment Tonight" brand of Gotcha Journalism will continue.