politics

Putting Us There

April 1, 2004

Of this, voters in Ohio can be certain: Before November, they’ll see plenty of the candidates and their surrogates. As a designated battleground state, Ohio is currently considered a toss-up between President Bush and Sen. Kerry.

Voters also can count on members of the campaign press parachuting into the Buckeye state to gain insight into how they may vote.

Two stories today attempted to do just that. One worked, providing a crisp snapshot. The other devolved into a rehash of tired quotes.

Kate Zernike of The New York Times produced the traditional man-on-the-street (or mall, gym, or, in this case, coffee bar) story, soliciting views from three dozen Ohioans on the candidates. We’re all for shoe-leather reporters talking to everyday folks because sometimes they have surprising insights and fascinating perspective — and even some great quotes. But this was not one of those times. Zernike should have asked for more time on the road, in hopes of finding somebody with something original to say.

USA Today’s Judy Keen also hit the byways of Ohio and delivers a more interesting look at the race in the Buckeye state. She finds voters with specific gripes — an economy so weak that even Valentine’s Day didn’t produce a rush for the local florist — and paints a vivid picture of life in a state hit hard by job loss.

Keen also pops into the field offices of the Bush and Kerry campaigns, reporting a lone volunteer in the Kerry headquarters, and a well-organized operation for Bush.

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We’re Keen on USA Today’s reporting style; at the end of her story, we have learned something.

–Susan Q. Stranahan

Susan Q. Stranahan wrote for CJR.