“Working the Refs”…Say what??

By CJP | August 21, 2008

Janes, if you know CJP, you know that sports metaphors in politics really get our goat. Instead of making politics more clear for readers, it makes it confusing for anyone who doesn’t watch enough basketball, baseball or boxing to keep up. But not to worry- that’s what CJP is here for.

Last time we told you what a “wheelhouse” is. Today we turn our attention to campaigns “working the refs,” as in:

“In campaigns, as in basketball, the refs get worked.” L.A. Times, June 12, 2008

“The Obama campaign is trying to work the refs to even out the coverage.” MSNBC, March 23, 2008

“It’s not working the refs. It’s just correcting things when the refs blow a call.” Mark Salter, McCain associate, quoted in “The Washington Post”

Great, “Washington Post,” but what does “working the refs” even mean?? So glad you asked.

After talking to several sports fans, we’ve established that:

• “the refs”= the media;
• “coaches/ players”= campaigns; and
• “the call”= media coverage of the campaigns.

So “working the refs over a call” is a campaign complaining to the media about a story they’ve written, with the goal of giving the media such a hard time that they’ll carefully consider doing it again in the future. Put into practice, it looks like this:

Topics: Don't Speak Sports?

One Response to ““Working the Refs”…Say what??”

1. Katy Says:
   August 22nd, 2008 at 6:45 am

   Cujo attacking the ref…CLASSIC!!

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