How TMZ is finding its footing on the political scene, even after some misfires

TMZ has only been in Washington DC for a matter of weeks, but the salacious gossip website is already having an impact: hounding politicians, tracking vacationing members of Congress and reporting on a senator taking a trip to Disney World. It’s been quite the start as the website and TV channel attempts to break into the political scene, with its first focus on members of Congress taking a two-week recess – typically meaning the politicians return to their home districts and states to meet constituents – during a record partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As that recess approached, TMZ put out a typically tabloid-y appeal . “As TSA officers are selling their blood to keep a roof over their heads, members of Congress are packing their bags for a 2-week vacation, and WE WANT THE PICS!” an article read. “Since compromise isn’t working, maybe some shame will, and that’s why we’re asking everyone to be on the lookout over the next 2 weeks for the folks who ‘work’ on Capitol Hill, enjoying their leisure time.” TMZ mischaracterized what was actually happening – it wasn’t a vacation – but the move paid off. The outlet soon had photos of Lindsey Graham, the senator from South Carolina, spending time at Disney World in Florida: preparing to ride Space Mountain and holding what seemed to be a bubble wand. It was the kind of scoop any DC news organization would be proud of, and it was followed up by CNN, the Hill, The Daily Show and more. …