Getting a Good Look
The television press interview is conductive to close scrutiny of a candidate.
His public speeches may contain many cant phrases, but a sharp question by an
astute reporter can destroy a cliche filled statement. The politician now will
procrastinate his answer; a new facet of his personality may be revealed by his
demeanor. Perhaps he will take umbrage at a suggestion that he favors the 
affluent. His record is searched for evidence that he has been magnanimous
equally to the indigent. He accuses the reporter of attempting to vilify him.
Is he being accused of turpitude in office? It is time to discreetly to on to
another topic. The candidate wished to extol the virtues of his program and
record. The press wants to allude to things that keep him in a midst of
controversy. they insist that he elucidate positions that the politician would
rather leave in a nebulous state.


the sum and substance--the heart or substantial part.
The sum and substance of our pyrrhic victory was that our hopes for a stable
future had gone up in smoke.