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'No Comment' Politics

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Modern-day politics is a strange paradox. New technology has enabled politicians to reach constituents faster and more frequently than ever before. Yet at the same time, politicians and their advisers are increasingly loath to go on the record.

Sen. Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren (AP)
Sen. Scott Brown and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren (AP)

For example, take a look at the front page of today's Boston Globe Metro section. In a story about whether President Obama's new deferred action policy could allow young undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers licenses and in-state college tuition, readers find this from an Obama administration official:

“Those are state questions,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity in a news conference about the application process.

Anonymous? At a news conference?

It seems that policy — what was once the bread and butter of election campaigns — has become increasingly taboo in this election year.

That's also been the case in the Massachusetts race for U.S. Senate. WBUR reporters Fred Thys and David Boeri tell Radio Boston about their experiences covering the candidates.

Guests:

This segment aired on August 15, 2012.

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