A couple of observations: this is AP gearing up for election year. The vast majority of people have no idea that AP has been taken over lock, stock and barrel by Left-wing nut jobs, and just assume that AP's reporting is even-handed and straight down the middle. It is not. Because it has no competition, AP has a monopoly on coverage that goes to every paper, radio station and TV station in the country, and uses that platform to further its "progressive" agenda. The sole purpose for this assignment is to get Wendy elected governor.
I bet this has the AP rank-and-file, bread and butter reporters gnawing on the furniture. I am talking about long-time hard-working employees who otherwise might have expected to be considered for promotion to this plum assignment in Austin, but who were overlooked so the AP powers that be could plant this ringer at 1005 Congress Avenue. Chris Tomlinson parachutes in over their heads as a political operative pure and simple. They be screwed. That has to smart.