The question Ken Bone asked at last Sunday night's debate was really not all that remarkable. A fairly standard inquiry about energy policy - a good question, to be sure, but usually not the sort of thing that turns you into an Internet sensation.
Then again, you know that wasn't it. Nothing so substantive ever is. It was the red sweater and the pre- and post-debate video that got Bone all the attention, along with (let's be honest) his frumpy physical appearance. I guess it was the perfect storm of quirkiness in a season when we'd rather focus on just about anything besides the candidates themselves.
The fact that Bone has been enjoying his 15 minutes of fame doesn't excuse the media for giving it to him. And it really doesn't excuse what they're doing to him now. To set the statge, here's how CNN helped turn him into an instant celebrity the day after: