TO: Jamison Foser, Media Matters
FROM: Me
RE: Your recent column
Jamison,
You write today:
There’s nothing inherently “effective” about an attack like this [Republicans ridiculing Obama for saying we’d save a lot of gas if everyone kept their cars’ tires properly inflated]. Reporters have a choice: They can simply repeat the GOP claims, in which case the shot is effective. Or they can do their jobs and give their readers and viewers an accurate understanding of the situation, in which case the attack will be ineffective — and, in fact, counterproductive, since it will make the attackers look ignorant or dishonest.
Reporters don’t have a choice. Repeating stupid right-wing claims is their job.