A behind-the-scenes look at how the post-debate “spin patrols” will try to manipulate coverage of the debates
The Men Behind the Curtain: Debate ‘Spin Patrols’
The spin patrols will work this way, based on past history: As the debate proceeds, aides for each candidate will circulate through the media center where the press corps will congregate to watch the debate on huge TV screens. The aides will distribute news releases praising their man’s performance and criticizing his rival, even while the debate is still going on. At the same time, a stream of comments from each campaign will deluge the reporters on email, Twitter, Facebook, and other forms of “new media.” Each side will be hoping to have a theme, even just a quote, show up in as many media stories as possible that night.
