New AP Multimedia Project Focuses On Presidential Politics In U.S. Society

By: Joe Strupp Calling it "an ambitious, multimedia project on presidential politics," The Associated Press Monday announced the launching of "Measure of a Nation," a reporting effort that focuses on the role of a presidency and its election in most people's lives.

"What happens on the 2008 campaign trail is only a mirror of the huge cultural story unfolding in America," A.P. Senior Managing Editor Mike Silverman said in a release. "The themes of 'The Measure of a Nation' are designed to offer insight Americans need to pick, and live with, a president best suited to these unusual times."

Written by veteran AP staffers Ron Fournier and Ted Anthony, "The Measure of a Nation" will begin with a magazine-style piece on Friday that looks at "the cult of the presidency in U.S. society and examines how the myths that grew up around various chief executives inform how Americans will select a president in 2008."

The project also will include a five-part video mini-documentary by online producer Jaime Holguin investigating how presidential mythology -- and the expectations of the presidency -- play out in Abraham Lincoln's longtime hometown of Springfield, Ill.; an audio slideshow depicting how images of Abraham Lincoln have evolved in America, from solemn statuary to more outlandish depictions; and "bloggy, shorter pieces that illustrate the presence of the presidency in the popular culture."

"By Election Day in November, followers of the series should understand their country better and be able to make more informed decisions about their choices at the polls," Silverman said.

"Our goal with this project is to systematically build a sociological snapshot of the state of life -- and of political life -- in America during one of its most profound periods of change," said Managing Editor Kristin Gazlay.

"We plan a series of smart, themed pieces that take readers to unexpected places and find innovative, surprising ways to reflect their culture, desires and problems, along with the political process," she added.