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Cash-Strapped Papers Take Scribes Off Trail

Some mourn loss of perspective; others find blogs are OK substitute

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 26, 2008 8:02 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The decline in the number of writers attached to presidential campaigns is “striking,” the New York Times reports—with only five newspapers trying to follow the candidates full-time. With per-person travel costs at $30,000, or more, a month, cash-strapped outlets are choosing not to foot the bill. The cost, some observers say, is that readers have fewer perspectives available.

One professor isn’t that torn up: “I’m not sure too much is lost. What’s the advantage of being the 50th guy on the bus?” Bloggers have rushed to fill the void, relying largely on YouTube footage and on conference calls engineered by the campaigns. Still, "we'd all like to be able to be out there,” said a grounded USA Today scribe.

Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., visits with media aboard her campaign plane.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., visits with media aboard her campaign plane.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Barack Obama boards his plane
Barack Obama boards his plane   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama speaks to press on his plane; the cost of traveling with candidates has forced many news organizations to pull staffers off the campaign trail.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama speaks to press on his plane; the cost of traveling with candidates has forced many news organizations to pull staffers off the campaign trail.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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Barack Obama • Hillary Clinton • John McCain • newspaper • New York Times • Washington Post • Wall Street Journal • blogging • USA Today • Los Angeles Times • election • Dallas Morning News • Chicago Tribune • Timothy Crouse • The Boys on the Bus

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