The Great Spin Machine

You have just witnessed a lab experiment in how bad it can be

You wouldn't have thought it possible early this year that spin could play an even larger role in American life than it already did. Straight-talking politicians (John McCain) were all the rage, and trendoids assured us that in the larger culture as well, sincerity was in while irony was out. But 2000 turned out to be a milestone year for the Great American Spin Machine. It was no surprise that spin was more copious than ever during the election campaign; it is more copious than ever in every election campaign. What made 2000 a special year for spin was the postelection...

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