Political pros sharpen their knives in press release wars

MINNEAPOLIS -- Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota's Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, is "taking her marching orders from national liberals" as she mounts with "breathtaking hypocrisy" a "relentlessly negative campaign" of "endless photo-ops and false attacks" meant to cover her "growing credibility problem."

Her likely opponent, Republican Mark Kennedy, is "just another rubber stamp" and a "loyal servant" to President Bush, a "weak-kneed politician who is in the back pocket of Big Oil," who "spouts hot air" and is "about as independent as a used car dealer is honest."

None of the above invective comes from actual spoken quotes. Instead, it's the increasingly common attack fare in news releases from political operatives desperate to spin news coverage to their advantage.

"Outrageousness is part of the fun of our political process," said Wayne Fields, a political rhetoric expert who directs the American Culture Studies program at Washington University in St. Louis.

But, Fields said, as outrageousness becomes the default tone of politics, it threatens to drain the substance out of political debate. "It lets you say certain things without an argument or without proof, because it's wrapped up in this snappy, clever approach. As long as people see that as the case, it's just going to get more outrageous." ...

•	Political pros sharpen their knives in press release wars Associated Press State & Local Wire, Tuesday, July 25, 2006 Byline: Patrick Condon, Associated Press Writer

	Story also ran in 5 others:  Duluth News Tribune (MN), Minnesota Public Radio (MN), Pioneer Press (MN), Grand Forks Herald (ND) and WCCO (MN)