Political he-said, she-said

There are more than two sides to every story, and presidential campaign stops are no exception.

When presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama come to Colorado to tout a new economic package or offer a renewed call for service to one’s country, reporters and gathered media always look to get comment from the other side to include in their fair and balanced coverage.

Democrat supporters of Barack Obama hold signs during a press conference outside of the John McCain campaign stop in Denver on Monday. (Photo/Bob Spencer)

Political parties long ago figured out the best way to ensure placement in a news article about their opponent is to ensure a "response" team is camped outside the campaign event to offer quick talking points.

Or in other words, they set up shop to explain why everything that was said by their opponent inside at that day’s event is wrong and not good for Americans.

Reporters, who love getting an easy "other side" comment without having to lift a finger, are quick to flock to the canned reaction displays.

Sometimes, the approach even works between candidates in the same party.

After Obama spoke to more than 15,000 people on the University of Denver campus in February, former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb held a "response" outside for reporters on behalf of Obama’s primary candidate Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Webb, who like Clinton is now supporting Obama, said at the time that Obama’s plan for America was not in the best interest of the country and Clinton, who was leading in most polls at the time, was ready to be the next president.

The events aren’t always just attended by media, though.

Following McCain’s Denver campaign rally on Monday, a passerby stopped to listen to Rep. Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver, giving reporters the other side to McCain’s speech on improving the economy.

A John McCain supporter holds a sign up outside of Barack Obama's campaign event in Colorado Springs. (Photo/Jason Kosena)

After Ferrandino said some Americans are working third shifts to stay afloat in today’s difficult economic times, the passerby yelled, "Who works three jobs? Are you kidding me?"

When Ferrandino didn’t respond, the passerby huffed away down 13th Street in Denver.

Ah, politics.

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