It’s traditional. Reporters write their stories pyramid-like, sharp and pointed at the top and broadening out at bottom. They put the newest and most crucial information first, leaving background for later. Editors know this, so when space is tight, they trim the story from the bottom. That way, they know that the latest developments are not lost
This, I surmise, is what happened to an AP story on Sen. Byrd's defense of filibusters that the Albuquerque Tribune carried Thursday, March 3. Carried, that is, with unfortunate consequences.
The lead told us that Sen. Byrd says he meant his description of Hitler’s rise to power as a warning to heed history; he was not comparing Republicans to Adolph. Also, in the second paragraph, we read that two Jewish groups and a pair of GOP politicians nevertheless chastised the Senator. And that one of those critics – it’s not immediately clear which – referred to Byrd’s membership as a youth in the KKK.
All that information was in the first two paragraphs. The story, as published, ran 11 paragraphs. But guess what? Neither Jewish group was identified. Nor was the source of the KKK reference. And only one Republican Senator is quoted.
I guess the editor cut from the bottom, leaving those references near the top as orphans.
This is not a quibble. As I read the story, I see that GOP Senator Santorum engaged in an old political trick, intentionally misconstruing what a critic says so as to accuse that critic of – in this case – lessening "the decorum of the Senate." Horrors!
(In fairness, Democrats often employ the same gambit.)
Knowing what I know, however, I want to know more - like the name of the other Republican Senator. Like who cast the KKK stone. And, crucially, which Jewish organizations?
It would be useful to know, you see, if they are broad-based or narrow. Orthodox, conservative or reform? Aligned with the GOP or non-partisan?
Heck, in this day and age, when front groups claim center stage – think USA Next - I want to be certain that those Jewish organizations upset with Sen. Byrd ...well, that they exist.