The Washington Post has a front page story about all the political anger and the “anger about the anger.” Yes, there are the big 3 Ws that are getting attention – Wilson, Williams & West. While it is a legitimate follow-up story to the Congressman’s outburst, what coverage is it crowding out at newspapers around the country. In the story, Joel Achenbach shares what we missed hearing about.
Throughout the day, the "House triangle" — the spot where lawmakers speak to the cameras, the Capitol angling away in the background — was a scene of heavy traffic. First there was a health-care news conference at 10 a.m. with parents of disabled children. Then, at 11, the issue was same-sex marriage. At noon, the prayer vigil took place. As the vigil was breaking up, a gaggle of college kids poured into the triangle, some members of Congress and staff gathered, and a black Suburban pulled up and disgorged Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
"This is a big, big deal," Duncan said into the microphones. Everyone on hand knew he was referring to the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 — "the largest investment in college education since the G.I. Bill."
But his media turnout was relatively feeble.
…Somewhere along the way, five senators tried to drum up publicity with a news conference on the "national dairy crisis." Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified about flu pandemics. House lawmakers held a hearing on whether humanity has a destiny in space. Toss in hearings on ambassadorial nominations, a transportation bill, a measure on funding health-care benefits for Postal Service retirees, and so on.
One can argue that at least some of these stories are not that important. But student loans, transportation, the flu? Aren’t some of these more important than Joe Wilson?