Local Example of Media Fixation With Palin

Former Massachusetts governor and one time presidential candidate Mitt Romney was in Norwood (Cincinnati suburb) yesterday doing a book signing. What is the headline and focus of the first paragraph of the story about his visit to town? Would you guess Sarah Palin? You betcha!

Romney crowd pales with Palin's

NORWOOD - Former and probably future GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney didn't draw even half as many people for his book-signing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers here Thursday as potential rival Sarah Palin did last fall.

I'm not a Romney backer, but was it necessary to make the comparisons between the crowds the leading focus of the story?

I don't know if either politician is planning to run for president in 2012. Currently, I'm much more likely to support Palin than Romney. However, that is due to their individual policy positions. The size crowd they draw to a book signing event will have no bearing on my preference between the two.