It’s no secret that political parties instruct their members on what talking points or themes to hit on when discussing a particular issue in the media. It’s part of why most interviews with politicians are so mind-numbingly boring. But it’s still awkward when you witness the sausage being made, which is what happened in a sort of modified hot-mike moment earlier today, when Chuck Schumer failed to realize that reporters were already on the line for a conference call with Senate Democrats that was set to begin in a few moments. As the Times reports:
When the conference call commenced, the senators dutifully repeated the talking points as they were told. And yet, during their next reelection campaign, they will all claim to be “independent thinkers.”
On a Senate Call, a Glimpse of Marching Orders [Caucus/NYT]
