Harwood Media Memo -- Patriotism Postponed: Worst Fears Realized?

10/24/2002

From: Melinda Patrician of the Harwood Institute, 301-656-3669 Web site: http://www.NewPatriotismProject.org

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Following is a memo to political reporters and editors from Richard C. Harwood of the Harwood Institute regarding recent political conduct:

HARWOOD MEDIA MEMO-- PATRIOTISM POSTPONED: WORST FEARS REALIZED?

It's time to say it. America has squandered its patriotic fervor from 9/11.

As early as January, Americans expected the post-9/11 wave of patriotism to peter out. In a Harwood/Gallup poll taken in January, they predicted that politics would be as bad, or worse, than it ever was:

Thinking about the upcoming 2002 election season, do you think the election campaigns this year will be better, worse, or about the same as they were in past years in terms of...

-- Candidates providing the important kinds of information voters need to make informed decisions: 62 percent--About the same or worse

-- Candidates avoiding negativity and calling each other names: 65 percent--About the same or worse

-- Citizens holding reasonable expectations of what candidates can actually do once in office: 68 percent--About the same or worse

-- News media avoiding sensationalism and hype covering candidates and their campaigns: 80 percent--About the same or worse

Poll conducted January, 2002 among 1,000 Americans. Results available at http://www.NewPatriotismProject.org.

Now, as we enter the dog days of the 2002 elections, we know those predictions were right. Simply look around, and you will see citizens' worst fears being realized. But how can we get the kind of conduct we want in politics?

-- What will it take for politicians to finally stand up and set a tone of forthright and passionate debate on issues? -- What will it take for news media to leave room in their coverage for people to form their own judgments? -- And what will it take for citizens to rise above complaints about the state of politics, take responsibility to inform themselves on the issues, talk with their friends and neighbors, and get involved in their communities?

For more information about our research, findings, and on-the-ground work, contact Melinda Patrician at 301-656-3669 or see www.NewPatriotismProject.org.