LTTE New York Times -- pandering

[rogerashton]

To the Editor:

In your front page story on the Presidential campaign on Oct. 5 you made reference to Mr. Kerry "pandering to voters" in the second headline and the first paragraph of the report.

"Pandering to voters?" What do you suppose is the point of electoral democracy? I had supposed that the point was that those who seek leadership should put together a majority coalition, and compete to do it, so that voters could be assured that, on the whole, the operations of government would be in their interest. Certainly, Mr. Kerry has been attempting to do that, by assuring the voters that his government would do its best to listen and respond.

It seems there is a growing bias against this democratic process in America, and even in the New York Times. The verb "to pander" in its literal meaning is "to procure a prostitute" -- so that the term quite rightly carries moral odium. Why has the Times repeated this Republican talking point against democratic process in its news analysis?

[AverageJoe]

1. Great letter!

You've hit right on the heart of American media bias. This problem, as we know around here, is as insidious as it is un-American. Bravo.

[Jo March]

2. The Times panders all of the times

or is it the * administration panders for the Times? Considering what a whore the Times is, I'd have to say yes.