Stories About Campaign Coverage

Reporting From the Campaign Trail

Spring 2004: Reporting from the Campaign Trail Introduction

By Melissa Ludtke• Politics• March 15, 2004

In his essay “Only a Lunatic Would Do This Kind of Work,” David M. Shribman, executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, captures the essence of what motivates political journalists. “They have an ethos,” Shribman writes. “They believe in inquiry. They believe in the value of the pointed question. They believe in catching their prey in an unscripted moment or in a lie. They believe in asking impertinent questions of their social betters. They believe small deviations from a candidate’s basic stump speech have grave implications.” – Melissa Ludtke, Editor Read more

‘Only a Lunatic Would Do This Kind of Work’

By David M. Shribman• Politics• March 15, 2004

A journalist offers his perspective on the perspective of political journalists. Read more

The Political Journalists’ Canon

By David M. Shribman• Politics• March 15, 2004

Political scientists and political journalists share one thing in common—a respect for a body of literature that can be described as a “canon.” These are different canons, to be sure. The one revered by journalists is, not surprisingly, produced mainly … Read more

With Deadlines Past, a Journalist Observes the Coverage

By Walter R. Mears• Books• March 15, 2004

‘There are far too many campaign media people quoted in the copy for my taste.’ Read more

Tracking Generational Change in Political Reporting

By John Harwood• Politics• March 15, 2004

Displacing news reporting with analysis provides ‘the possibility of a far different sort of bias than coziness with a candidate.’ Read more

Shoe Leather Beats BlackBerries

By David Yepsen• Politics• March 15, 2004

Too much time is spent with candidates, not enough learning from voters. Read more

Why Political Journalism Fails at Handicapping the Race

By Terry Michael• Politics• March 15, 2004

There is too much focus on campaign tactics, not enough on voters’ concerns. Read more

For Whom Is Political Coverage Written?

By John Wagner• Politics• March 15, 2004

In this new Web era, reporting on a hometown candidate means serving different audiences in print and on the Internet. Read more

Media Access to the Political Process Expands

By Steven Scully• Politics• March 15, 2004

From bloggers to videojournalists, the digital revolution is transforming how campaigns are covered. Read more

Political Reporting Happens Faster. But Is It Better?

By Michael Tackett• Politics• March 15, 2004

‘… too many of us are forced to react now and reflect later.’ Read more

Making Reporting About Voting Part of the Political Beat

By Mark Seibel• Politics• March 15, 2004

From punch cards to touchscreens, journalists are tracking potential problems with how people vote. Read more

The Allure of the Web

By Adam Reilly• Politics• March 15, 2004

A rookie political reporter retreats from his early reliance on political Web sites and blogs. Read more

Network Web Sites Influence Political Reporting

By Elizabeth Wilner• Politics• March 15, 2004

By compiling coverage and adding original news and analysis, the networks acquire a new niche audience—including political journalists. Read more

When Old Media Confronted Howard Dean

By Chris Lydon• Politics• March 15, 2004

‘Dean scares the institutional media out of their wits … because of what he and Internet democracy say about them.’ Read more

Going Online, Going Downtown

By Wayne Woodlief• Politics• March 15, 2004

In two interview situations, a political writer observes differences in reporting. Read more

The Internet Beat on the Campaign Trail

By James W. Pindell• Politics• March 15, 2004

‘Political journalists are using Web sites to tell stories they didn’t have room to tell in their newspapers.’ Read more

‘Primarily New Hampshire’

By Meryl Levin and Will Kanteres• Books• March 15, 2004

An upcoming book looks behind the scenes of a presidential primary. Read more

Photographers Try to Avoid Staged Moments

By Luis Rios• Politics• March 15, 2004

‘Political operatives use increasingly sophisticated techniques to give candidates the most favorable media exposure possible.’ Read more

When Seeing Is No Longer Believing

By Kenny Irby• Politics• March 15, 2004

Photographers and photo editors have the obligation of accuracy. Read more

Flapjacks and Photo Ops

By Dan Habib• Politics• March 15, 2004

Concord Monitor photographers worked hard to bring readers behind the scenes of New Hampshire’s primary campaign. Read more

A Political Reporter’s Toolbox

By The Committee of Concerned Journalists• Journalist’s Trade• March 15, 2004

The Committee of Concerned Journalists suggests campaign coverage strategies based on the advice of veteran political journalists. Read more