WASHINGTON POST VENTS HATE CRIME VERBIAGE

After the Washington Post launched a fusillade of "hate crime" verbiage at Mr. Robert F. McDonnell, Republican candidate for governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, old-time political observers were left to scratch their heads. What's with the Post? Although the Post had clearly indicated that it favored Mr. Creigh Deeds, the Democrat candidate, it had benefited from the advertisements of Republican McDonnell. This was achieved by the fact that the McDonnell campaign had cited The Washington Post for making favorable comments about aspects of the McDonnell "program for Virginia," and thereby acknowledging the Post as an important observer whose analysis demanded respect. Because the McDonnell campaign also cited the Post as commenting critically about aspects of the Deeds "program for Virginia," it had suggested that the Post was somehow "fair and balanced" in its commentary on this election race. In short the McDonnell campaign had exalted the role of the Post in the Virginia contest for governor, even though it clearly had chosen Creigh Deeds as the best man for governor. By citing the Post's observations on "nuts-n-bolts" in some aspect of the campaign, the McDonnell people seemed to think they were neutralizing the Post.

Far from neutralizing the Post, which has always been a "junkyard dog" in pettycoats and perfume, the McDonnell campaign witnessed itself being made the target of one of the most intemperate rants ever launched by The Washington Post. After this tirade, one wonders how this newspaper can ever piously denounce "hate crimes" again.

The problem may rests with the publisher, one Ms. Weymouth, who is said to suffer from some sort of bi-polar disorder. Flights of mood are not a congenial characteristic for measured, rational discourse. The unstable pronouncements of the Post are suggestive of an institution atilt. Washingtonians are hopeful that an elevated vision can be achieved by this news outlet, but in truth, when a person or an institution fall out of grace with its center, where is there to go but down?