Turning Tail on the Media
One of the hallmarks of the Tea Party candidates who have risen to prominence in the past year is that many of them have shunned, if not downright run from, the traditional media. No one embodies that trend more than Sharron Angle, the Republican candidate for the Senate in Nevada. On July 21, Angle hosted her first public event with reporters since winning her primary. But after delivering a few prepared remarks, she made a beeline for the exit before the press had any opportunity to ask questions. Pursued by a gaggle of inquiring reporters, Angle darted into a waiting car and went on to the next event. A campaign aide simply told reporters, "We're running behind, I'm sorry." That set the tone for the rest of the campaign — she has ducked, dodged and even used a decoy to avoid facing the press since.