Media need to focus on the issues that matter

One week from today, Americans will make a very important decision and vote for the next president of the United States.

In one week and one day, we will finally have the results of the last months and even years of campaigning by Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. Such an important day, Nov. 4, is so close. But the current talk of the major news outlets, the fervent bloggers and the public reflects nothing of the sort.

Attention shifted last week toward the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on clothing, hair and makeup for Republican vice presidential nominee, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. But the focus has moved away from the many topics that really matter as the last week of the election approaches.

The criticism Palin has received for her pricey ensembles and exorbitant daily hair and makeup maintenance costs would be understandable at a different time.

Given society’s different expectations for men’s and women’s appearances ““ and the fact that Palin is the only female candidate ““ comparing her to anyone else on the campaign trail is completely unrealistic and unfair. It is a disservice to voters to emphasize a relatively minor issue. Rather than focusing on these details, the real focus should be the “Troopergate” scandal.

The issues at this crucial point for the most important constituents ““ the undecided voters across the country ““ should not be how much a makeup artist was paid per day or whether Gov. Palin’s high-end outfits were bought or borrowed. It should be how Palin and John McCain plan to handle the current economic recession compared to Obama and running mate Sen. Joe Biden.

At the very least, the mass media should be turning their magnifying glasses to Palin’s first days testifying under oath for “Troopergate,” since it seems the focus has been and will be on Gov. Palin rather than the Arizona senator running for president.

Once broadcast journalism, print journalism and online news combine, they have the power to look past this small infraction and move on to more important issues that undecided voters need to hear about.

Yes, Palin obviously got a head-to-toe makeover costing thousands and thousands of dollars.

Yes, some of the facts are questionable when it comes to which clothes were borrowed for a number of days rather than flat-out purchased. And yes, professional makeup artists charge surprisingly large amounts of money per day.

The bottom line is that there are seven days left and there are dozens of issues more important than these recent financial discoveries reported by The New York Times and other publications. Everyone has a right to know the truth but we also have the right ““ and the responsibility ““ to educate ourselves properly about the candidates and the issues.

When Palin had just been announced as McCain’s running mate and information leaked regarding her unwed daughter Bristol’s pregnancy, the connection between the controversy (a 17-year-old girl engaging in premarital sex) and the issues ““ Palin’s stance on abortion ““ was more logical.

At that particular point in time, there were still months of campaign coverage ahead. There is only a week and however many hours and minutes left of 2008 election coverage before the clock runs out for good.

Hopefully voters won’t be walking into the booths on Tuesday with visions of Valentino suits and Cole Haan boots dancing in their heads.

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