Political Horse Race Framing

A horse race is a competition between horses that are ridden by jockeys or pulled in sulkies by drivers. It is a sport that dates back to ancient times and continues to capture the imagination of millions around the world. Despite the controversies surrounding the industry, such as the not-so-infrequent injuries suffered by the equine athletes, there is still much to love about horse racing, from its ceremonial pageantry to the thrill of watching a long shot win a big race.

Nevertheless, the term horse race has also come to refer to political contests and may be used to denote an election that is tight or a competition where mudslinging and attack ads are commonplace. Amid all of the squabbling, it is easy to lose sight of the actual issues at stake.

When journalists cover elections by focusing on the who’s winning and who’s losing — what is known as horse race coverage — voters, candidates and the news industry itself suffer, according to research. Specifically, the focus on who’s ahead and behind can obscure substantive policy issues that might inform the public’s vote. Moreover, the style of journalism often encourages a distorted perception of the electoral process and may even lead to bias that has real-life consequences.

A study by Johanna Dunaway, an associate professor at Texas A&M University and Regina G. Lawrence, an associate dean at the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication, analyzed print newspapers in 2004 through 2008. The authors found that the horse race framing was most prevalent in close races and during the weeks leading up to election day. In addition, the practice was more common in corporate-owned and large-chain newspapers.

In a horse race, horses are pushed to the limit physically and mentally. As a result, many end up with serious injuries, such as pulmonary hemorrhage. To avoid this, horses are given cocktails of legal and illegal drugs that mask the pain and artificially enhance performance. Some horses are so weakened by the medications that they become ineligible to compete, and they are withdrawn from the race.

Some of these equine athletes suffer from mental and emotional distress, which can manifest as repetitive, compulsive behavior. For example, the popular HBO series Luck starring Dustin Hoffman was canceled after a horse was severely injured during filming and euthanized. Animal rights activists have argued that the isolation and confinement of racehorses inhibits their natural instincts, leading to a variety of behavioral problems including cribbing, biting on their gates and self-mutilation.

The suffering of the horses has also made horse racing a controversial topic among some groups, and the sport is facing a number of reforms to improve track conditions and animal welfare. However, it remains a popular sport that draws millions of fans to the tracks every year and inspires the imaginations of filmmakers, writers and artists. The enduring popularity of the sport also speaks to its storied traditions, from the ceremonial pageantry at major races to the fervor of fans who root for a particular horse by name.