blake johnson

Paul Krugman’s column in the New York Times this weekend raises a point on an issue that has been driving me bonkers for the last few months— what are the democratic candidates’ positions on things other than the war in Iraq. Yes, the war is important, but sooner or later the war will be over (for real this time) and we will still have a president. So, why doesn’t the media devote any time/space to the candidates other views? What are their stances on trade, stem-cell research, digital copyrights, human rights in China, etc., etc.? The list could go on and on. Krugman’s column delivers a much needed plea to journalists to report on specific policy proposals, not on the candidates’ fashion taste.

I actually tried to ask a non-war question when I appeared for the taping of Chris Matthews’ Hardball with John Kerry, but the producers didn’t seem at all interested. In fact, there wasn’t a singled question asked which was not about the war.