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Does the Prees Love McCain or Just Ratings?
There has been a lot of talk about how the Press loves McCain and as evidence we all often site the latest example of how they simply parrot McCain's talking points about Obama to prove their love for him. I'm not sure that this is actually the root cause and if I'm right the real reason us much uglier for the health of our little democracy here.
As soon as some of the polls starting showing a decent lead for Obama the press in general knew that if this road continues the general election is going to be hard to cover since it is going to be a blowout. So they start doing what they did for a period of time during the Dem Primary race and that's give the candidate that is down a free pass and a huge microphone. They are giving McCain's camp a chance to lead the news of the day nearly every day and then not holding them account for the loose use of facts they are using in their spin.
The media doesn't just like a horser ace, but rather they need one for their own financial gains. The ratings during the Dem Primary season were huge for the political news shows and since then there has been a fall off of engagement that they are desparate to get back. So they will fill the news with "is Barack in trouble" stories knowing full well that there is little to nothing of importance in the story they are spending this time covering.
Comments (9)
There's nothing exciting about a horse race that isn't even close. They're kneecapping Obama, hoping that crippling him will give them a photo finish. It's never about the news. It's always about the ad rates.
July 5, 2008 8:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
On the bright side, it might end up strengthening Obama.
"That which does not kill us, makes us stronger" - Nietzsche
"Unfortunately, not all of us make it into that second category" - Niles Crane
July 5, 2008 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Absolutely. Obama needs to show that he can handle a hostile press. I think he can, but he's got to get his shit together.
July 5, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
The fact is their corporate bosses love McCain because he will continue their tax cuts, etc.
AND all media employers/employees/businesses want a contentious and 'close' race.
Actually, majority of programs isn't 'news', just stirring the pot.
Curious, do the 'pundits' get paid?
July 5, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why does it have to be one or the other?
McCain gives them access, and BBQ. The media return the favor with donuts, and hagiography. It's a mutually beneficial relationship, with the added bonus in that it lets the media defensively respond to the accusations that they don't have a liberal bias. "See, we like the Republican! We say nice things about him! Lookit!"
July 5, 2008 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Great word, and so apt: "hagiography". It's as though the MSM's campaign press not only believes being a former POW is a necessary prerequisite to being president, it is the first step to canonization, with our press watchdogs playing the part of the Congregation for Cause of Saints.
July 5, 2008 4:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ratings = higher ad avail rates + more sales.
July 5, 2008 3:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
The media don't report news, they produce public theater. For the election to maintain a profitable full house (viewers and readers) the producers, editors and journalists have to pretend that there is a real contest. It is as simple as that, no more, no less. Theater is the key. If you remember that it is theater, you understand the crappola. I write fiction. My job is to keep my readers turning pages. Same essential drill.
July 5, 2008 6:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
True. But, the problem is that their audience doesn't realize that it's play-acting. They think it's real. They think that when their watching the news, that it's actually news. Many will allow themselves to be informed by it.
Obama talked about the importance of "controlling the message." We need to see that happening. He needs to put more thought and resources into how he is playing in the press.
July 5, 2008 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
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