Dear ABC News,
I am writing to express my disbelief and disapproval of your upcoming Primetime special on VP candidate Sarah Palin. To give one candidate this kind of airtime over another in the weeks leading up to the election is irresponsible and a clear violation of journalistic ethics. I should know - I myself am a journalist. I am sure it is tempting to want to capitalize on the media frenzy surrounding Ms. Palin. To be sure, it will bring you excellent ratings for the evening. It is also sure to further obscure the real issues of this campaign and to distract viewers from the differences between the two candidates - who, in fact, are Barack Obama and John McCain, NOT Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. If Ms. Palin is elected vice-president, she will not be expected to deliver new ideas for helping America secure a place in the global economy. She will not be expected to improve U.S. relations around the world and ease tension in the middle East. She will not be expected to spur initiatives on alternative energies and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. In fact, she will not be expected to be much more than an ambassador for the U.S. - much like Dan Qualyle was when he served under George H.W. Bush. So why are we so focused on her? Is it because we need a break from the reality of having to delve into these issues for ourselves, that we need this kind of tabloid journalism to take our mind off the serious nature of this election? Possibly. But the fact that this network is pandering to our baser instincts, to the lowest-common-demoninator, is both shocking and disappointing.
I urge you to do what you know to be right: Cancel this special altogether, or give equal time to candidate Joe Biden.