ABC and USA Today will join forces to cover an unprecedented "50 States in 50 Days" tour, leading up to the election on Nov. 4th. Considering this is the 3rd collaboration from the television and newspaper companies, whose previous works include Iraq: Where Things Stand, and Katrina: Where Things Stand, you can probably take a shot at the title of this media blitzkrieg. The majority of ABC.com and USATODAY.com will "share news content and produce complementary interactive features" (read: cross-posting!), while the television and print versions, respectively, will feature the cast of Good Morning America and Nightline visiting your state, and USA chronicling….whatever it is they chronicle: each state every day (two on Mondays and Fridays!).

Smell gimmicky to you too? Indeed, it sounds just like CNN embedding "all-platform reporters" around the country as another way of saying "downsizing."

"Teaming up" with an adjunct news source is just another way of saying "we're going to be rehashing the same minutiae with the least possible manpower." Though please keep America updated on what Rhode Island thinks of the election for 24 hours. That's sure to be fascinating.