American Government ??

Question

American Government ???
Question Details: Charges are made that television emphasizes personalities and the “horse race” aspect of election issues. Would you defend or refute this criticism?



Can anyone help me with this question. I don't fully understand "horse race" aspect.

Answer 1

The horse race aspect refers to the way the news organizations view the running of the candidates for office. As election day nears and candidates are pared down to a fewer number, every tiny movement in the polls by candidates will be completely analyzed and taken apart in excruciating detail by the dozens of network "experts" and analysts.

Any shifting of the wind in any regard will be viewed as pivotal to the outcome of the election. Media darlings will be emphasized and those not so chosen will be ignored. The media will finally have 2 candidates to watch and "report" on and they think they know what their viewers want to know about the candidates.

The newsrooms will gear up for the climax on election night and we'll all be breathless in anticipation of the outcome. The media thrive on this type of drama; its their reason to exist and they are not going to water it down for any reason.

Ultimately it resembles a horse race, metaphorically speaking. Most people will be sick to death of it before it is over due to the over-the-top syrupy way the media cover the event.

Answer 2

Yes, it's true. TV is interested in interesting images and short simple stories. That's why we get stories on the candidates wardrobes or haircuts instead of substantial issues. As for the "horse race" aspect, the media love to talk about how candidate x appears to be gaining on candidate y, or how candidate z has raised more money than candidate q, but we'll never hear what they want to do about health care, immigration or the economy.

Answer 3

There is nothing resembling a horse race. These candidates have to run a race that is over 500 days long. A horse might run two days before he falls over dead.

Answer 4

Have you ever listened to an announcer at a horse race? "ABC is a length ahead...DEF breaks out of the pack and is gaining...GHI on his tail..." TV coverage tends to follow that pattern in political races, breathlessly announcing each step, stumble, one point lead, as if the candidates were literally on a track. "Five point lead in today's polls" as if it were actually a physical gain in a race.

Answer 5

you bet ye, may the best horse win, I bet obama to win and hillary to place