I totally agree with this Letter to the Editor in the Roanoke Times (bolding added for emphasis):
Senate race has yet to draw media attentionIn case you weren't paying attention, I can summarize the last month's news in one sentence: Vice President Cheney shot an old man, and a Briton named Neil Entwistle probably murdered his family. That's about it.
But while the media became preoccupied with issues that affect far less than 1 percent of the public, a giant quietly emerged in the 2006 Virginia Senate race.
Jim Webb announced on March 7 that he'll seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. George Allen this November.
Webb will have no problem appealing to Democrats (who simply want Allen out), but he'll also attract many Republicans through his expertise in defense policy, his ties to the Reagan administration and his moderate stances on important issues.
Adding fuel to the fire are Allen's recent poll numbers that suggest he's weaker than expected.
Political analysts across the country are clamoring about the battle that is likely to ensue in November, yet the Virginia press has been relatively quiet about Webb's candidacy.
OK, media, I understand that Cheney shot someone in the face, but how does that affect me? I'd rather learn a little more about the man who may very well be the next junior senator from Virginia.
Charles Johnson
Wytheville
Exactly right, Mr. Johnson. The corporate news media has its priorities very wrong; no wonder why it's losing readership and viewership.