The+Art+of+Political+Distraction

Read this article, published in March 2009 by the New York Times.

Political Distraction

Using the Discussion tab for this page, post a response that address each of the questions below. Make your responses specific (give examples) and address points raised by your colleagues.

1. Why do you think the article writer characterizes anger over A.I.G. executives’ bonuses as “a side issue, run amok”? Do you agree or disagree that it is a “red herring”?  2. According to the article, why do such “small change” issues often dominate news coverage and discussion? 3. List at least two examples of “proxy issues” that past presidents have had to deal with, according to the article. How did they affect the president’s relationship with the public? How do these issues seem to you now, looking back?  4. What was the underlying issue for each of the examples you selected?  5. According to Obama adviser David Axelrod, how does the furor over the A.I.G. bonuses make the president’s job more difficult?