The subtler approach is gaining favor. Cuban-Americans have grown more politically aware since the Elián González episode, many say, when their fervor to thwart the Clinton administration and the boy's return to his father in Cuba drew national contempt. Americans who had paid little attention to the policy debate over Cuba tended to support sending Elián home, polls showed, and were put off by images of exiles blocking traffic and flying American flags upside down in protest.
This was certainly true, and known at the time, but was nonetheless almost entirely absent from the 24/7 cable coverage of the situation. Another case where the DC media conspired with a fringe group to interfere with what should have been a family court issue. A position that Al Gore took and for which he was much derided.