Saw an on-line article titled “Rick Santorum’s Tragic Yearbook Photo.” This is a perfect example of the trivialization of political journalism. The journalist poked fun at the high school photos of the Republican presidential hopefuls and notables.
Joshua Green wrote it for The Atlantic. Not sure I’d consider him a serious political journalist. This isn’t in the league ofDavidBroderorGeorgeWill. Green’s article read like it came from a gang of 8th-grade bullies in the lunchroom giggling and snickering while thumbing through a yearbook.
Green wrote:
“A quick office straw poll here at The Atlantic, conducted amidst uproarious laughter, confirms that this is, in fact, the single worst year book photo that most of us have ever seen. An outright disaster. I suppose it’s Santorum’s misfortune to have been in high school during this era. I’m pretty sure that 1976 wasn’t too kind to anyone. But still. Wow—he looks like McLovin in polyester. I have yet to meet the political consultant talented enough to spin this one. My condolences to Santorum. Brave of him to have struggled through this and made something of this life.”
At some point an editor atAtlanticshould have said, “Um, Green, can’t find a legitimate argument against a candidate?”
Russell P. Petcoff, 1981, Lake Central High School, St. John, Ind.
Green dug deep and included senior photos for Fred Karger and Gary Johnson…who? He included them but no senior photos of Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton? Heck, I would have given Green some credit if he included his senior year photo and mocked himself. He didn’t.
Is the political process so poisoned that none of the candidates—particularly conservative politicians—have a positive quality for journalists to write about? Look hard, there must be some. I refuse to believe a legitimate candidate for president does not have a handful of positive qualities.
My reaction isn’t because Green mocked my candidate. I’m not a supporter of no one right now. I need legitimate information to form an opinion. All Americans need better political journalism to help them form a legitimate impression of the candidates.
What Americans don’t need is sophomoric snickering of a 36-year-old senior class photo.
I agree.