Fully 78% of campaign stories from January 1 through May 4, 2008 examined by the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism focused on political tactics, strategy or the state of the horserace, as opposed to policy, background or personal issues. Policy topics made up 7% of the stories, personal matters, 7%, and public record, 2%. Compared with a similar time period in 2007, coverage became about a fifth more political in 2008 (78% vs. 63%). Read More

Russell Heimlich  is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.