Connelly: "How politicians avoid exposing themselves"

Joel Connelly:

Why the palpable nervousness and purging of all things spontaneous?

Just look what happened to ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich after the infamous "Meet the Press" appearance where he dissed House Republicans' plan to privatize Medicare as "right-wing social engineering." An Iowa Republican grasped the candidate's hand, held on, telling Gingrich he was a disgrace and should leave the race. It aired on MSNBC's "Daily Rundown" the next morning.

Another gambit is bait and switch. No cameras or computer-stained wretches at the McDonnell fund raiser, but the McKenna adviser quickly added that "we'd like to get you and Rob together" ASAP. McKenna had already worked an interview to cop a flavorless, favorable Seattle Times editorial page column.

With an increasingly partisan press and blogosphere, a new tactic has emerged: allow access or confide in only to those who agree with you. Palin and ex-Govs. Tim Pawlenty and Mike Huckabee use Fox News as a Republican house organ to disclose their intentions. Or make your announcement by video; nobody will interrupt with a critical question. MORE...