Fear and Bloating on the Campaign Trail '08

THEY GET IN-FLIGHT MEALS?! Reporter pellets (Photo: nytimes.com) We all know that these are not exactly the best of times for many Americans, what with this massive financial crisis and the hundreds of thousands of Americans risking their lives overseas. But, please, keep in your prayers if you can the scores of brave presidential campaign staffers and reporters who are really, really tired of working. Thanks to the New York Times, America has now been alerted to the ghastly "indignities of life on the road" faced by this new generation of bromide-peddling heroes—including crappy hotels, bad food, and, yes, long days. They can't even hang out with their girlfriends, y'all. In case the story's reference to campaign "casualties" and inclusion of a comment from a staffer about "being held hostage" doesn't hammer the point home for you, the Times includes a grim slideshowthat lets us take in the horror of it all with our own eyes. Be forewarned that graphic pictures of Cheetos and charter jets are included.