How Arnold Won the West - USA

I purchased this British DVD regarding the 2003 California Gubernatorial Recall Election, and watched it two days ago.

Predictably, the journalists didn't spend enough time with the Alternative candidates (I wasn't featured, but I knew several who were featured). Instead, along with nearly everyone else in the Universe, they tried to get close to Arnold. And predictably, they utterly failed. The dynamics of a short election cycle, together with the glare of celebrity, allowed Arnold to largely-shield himself from media mediation and interference.

The journalistic frustration was keen. Even though they even had a journalist from Arnold's hometown in their entourage, it was impossible to penetrate the candidate's bubble. The journalists were merely props on a stage set for the large TV networks, the only important media players in the election, and the only ones Arnold catered to.

The media need a bit of humility. In an election, only the candidates on the ballot really matter. The platforms of the alternative candidates could have served as interesting proposed solutions to California's problems. Examining those platforms, and the candidates who advanced them, should have been the media's principal mission.

Alas! An opportunity lost, due to the search for celebrity validation!