Slate struggles for an eye catching headline: "Why Obama Is Like a Serial Killer"

[Bucky]

It's more cute than offensive, once you read it. But it's more cutesy than cute. The grabber reads:

When reporters set out to explore the backgrounds of sensational murderers, the neighbors typically claim surprise. The oft-parodied description of the spree or serial killer next door is: "He was a nice man who lived quietly and kept to himself." The folks nearby never seemed to notice that Jim the Ripper's visitors stayed forever, that he loved running his chainsaw indoors, or that the chili he brought to the potluck tasted a bit "off."

When the same journalists are assigned to unearth the early lives of presidential candidates, they get just the opposite response from childhood friends, teachers, and family. Everyone says: "We all used to joke about how Willie was going to be president someday." Early indications of a proclivity to become leader of the free world include attending school on a regular basis, having friends, and going to the prom.

When I was a compositition teacher, I used to teach my students there were two facets to good writing: architecture and caaprentry. That is, it doesn't matter too much how good you are at the mechanics of writing if you've got a weak idea about what you want to write.

I offer the preceding example.

[MADem]

1. Holy shit, that's just OFFENSIVE.

How many idiots will see the headline and not read on? Plenty.

Ugh, I'm sick of this "media shaping" when it comes to candidates. Hillary is a robot, Obama is a serial killer whose middle name is HUSSEIN, Edwards is plastic...ENOUGH, already.

Fuck these idiots and their opinions. Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one.

I will wait for the DEBATES.

[Bucky]

2. Small correction: that wasn't the headline, it was an advertisement on other Slate pages

It's a hook; not a smear piece. But yes, it's pretty tacky.

[MADem]

3. Would they say it about Biden, ya gotta wonder?

The fact that it is an AD is even WORSE!!! Good grief...

[Jim Sagle]

4. Compositition - like composition, only less skilled.

[Bucky]

5. Grrrr

Don't fuck with me when I'm being erudite and sanctimonious. It's not safe (for my ego).

[Jim Sagle]

7. Normally I don't do spell checks. This one, I couldn't resist.

:-)

[southerncrone]

6. Intentional slam. Easily misread as "Why Obama is a serial killer"

I believe Obama could sue for libel on this one.

Wow, they are really attacking him. Can't help but wonder if the Blue Digital guy wasn't paid off by REDS to produce the Hillary film to make him look bad.

Just shows he is a threat to REDS!