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The McMedia Narrative is Now Official; The PUMAs Are Revolting
There are two things to keep in mind if you are going to watch this convention on Yee Ole TeeVee.
- It doesn’t matter what actually happens or what Hilary and Bill actually say, the story has already been written. The PUMAs are revolting and everything is bad news for Obama and great news for McCain. It may be difficult to maintain that narrative on Thursday when Obama speaks but the McMedia will find a way to git er done. That doesn’t mean that teh blogs shouldn’t push back hard, fast and loud against the prevailing memes.
- The number of folks who will swallow that story whole and actually change their vote accordingly is tiny compared to the potential turnout of voters who are disgusted with the status quo. After the last seven years, people who still believe everything they hear on the TeeVee are either incarcerated, over-medicated or lost in the wingnut-o-sphere.
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Comments (18)
Quote: "It doesn’t matter what actually happens or what Hilary and Bill actually say, the story has already been written."
That may be. But, if you've seen Paul Begala and James Carville on CNN flogging the "Obama dissed Hillary" story, you know there is at least some truth to the notion that Hillary and Bill ARE INTENTIONALLY ENCOURAGING THIS STORY TO BE TOLD AND SPREAD.
Every time I come around to feeling grudgingly agreeable toward those two traitors, they go and do something like this.
August 25, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Carville and Begala are just locking down jobs in the McMedia for the next four years, I would be surprised if they weren't flogging this McDog.
August 25, 2008 9:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
If you doubt my premise then check out Politico this morning.
August 25, 2008 9:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
- The Politico is the RNC Newsletter as far as I'm concerned.
- The media setting this up makes it easy to tear it down. A realyl powerful speech for Obama, change and agaisnt McCain by both or either of the Clintons will be that much more effective.
August 25, 2008 10:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, the Clintons are traitors.
You're paranoid, Lynn Dee. Totally paranoid.
August 25, 2008 9:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
And you're a moron.
August 25, 2008 10:19 AM | Reply | Permalink
Aye, they're 'revolting' alright: they make me sick every time i see one, hear one, catch a rumor about one..
August 25, 2008 10:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
That was my first thought! :)
August 25, 2008 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
And speaking of morons, Bill Clinton is apparently complaining about the topic of his speech. Is there any grievance too trivial for these two to air?
Anyhow, I've put into place my approach to convention watching. (Didn't realize I needed one, but apparently I do.)
Ignore the media narrative. Watch the convention, but ignore the narrative.
August 25, 2008 10:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
RIP...Clintons!
I hope their legacy will be that they were the best democrats to destroy an election in 2008! Bill and Hill...a political marriage from hell that felt they were entitled to be the most egoist couple that desreve a political hell!
August 25, 2008 10:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
The stupid thing about the fake GOP-cooked PUMA thing is that if Hillary's backers really decided to help McCain win, surely, without a doubt, Obama's backers woudl repay the favor in 2012 for Hillary. Thus the Democrats lose twice.
Any true Hillary supporter would know that people would seek revenge on the Clintons if they don't help Obama. She would be finished.
The greatest irony, however, would be a feminist woman like Hillary actually helping to overturn Roe v. Wade once and for all. Think about it: Back alley abortions, maimed and dead women, all thanks to the massive ego of a single candidate???
The dire consequences show that only the GOP would entertain this notion, since it would help them twice.
August 25, 2008 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
The MSM is milking this PUMA drama for all they can for ratings. I expect that Hillary's speech, the roll call, the final nomination, should put this crap to rest for the most part. In reality, it's a lot of smoke and no fire.
August 25, 2008 11:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep, more media bias:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/08/study-press-tougher-on-obama-t.php
August 25, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hillary has been too cute about supporting Obama. Yes, she has campaigned for Obama. No, she has not tried to tamp down the - if we can't have our way then we'll just burn this mutha' down -mentality of the PUMA's and NObama's, NO dealers, and whomever else.
Hillary is walking a tightrope in trying to appear supportive of Obama, yet leaving room for the undermining of his candidacy by her most ardent (rabid?) supporters. How? By not showing clear leadership in tamping down the bad attitude of her dead-end supporters.
Cinton dead-enders are only dead-ending HER political career. If Obama should lose, and either Hillary or, more likely, her supporters are perceived as having played a role, her presidential aspirations will be OVER. Obama's supporters WILL SEE TO THAT.
August 25, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Obama loses, both Obama and Hillary are screwed for 2012. Hillary's supporters will not easily forgive Obama's bypassing a chance to unite the party and put us in the best position to win this year. We'll all be looking at Mark Warner then (or some other new star) and a new beginning.
August 25, 2008 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
If Obama loses I don't see him getting the nomination in 2012, even if Hillary supporters held no grudge. I don't recall the party ever re-nominating a candidate who lost the last election.
If Obama loses then she can make a clean run in 2012. If Obama wins then she can make a clean run in 2016. I doubt that Biden would run since he would be older than McCain is now.
Any such clean run for her depends on neither her, nor her supporters earning the undying ire of Obama supporters. Die-hard Hillary supporters such as the PUMA's, etc. have made up their minds and will not be dissuaded.
There's nothing practical Obama can do, IMHO, to win over those 11% of Clinton die-hards. Because of that the most significant risk I see is actually for Hillary and her supporters.
Look, we need each other's support as Democrats to ensure election of the party's nominee. Its Obama today, and Clinton tomorrow if she becomes the future nominee. The consequences of not playing and talking nice doesn't just apply to Obama and his supporters.
August 25, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don’t doubt for a second that there are real differences between the Clintons and Obama and that they are “negotiating” to some extent through the media. But there is much more going on than that.
Almost everybody involved, Obama, Clinton, the media, McCain and Republicans benefit from controversy and possible uncertainty about what is going to happen in what is usually a very scripted and mostly boring event. The Revolt of The PUMAs will mean more eyeballs, ad revenue and press attention. Of course they all want to write the script to their own benefit.
Bill may be having hissy fits behind the scenes but he is also a professional performer with mucho speaking fees yet to be banked. He is not going to damage his own stock or his wife’s, or for that matter, his party’s . He will milk the tension for his own benefit and make sure that his legacy is written to his satisfaction. But he will also benefit from an Obama Administration especially if he is seen to be a factor in making it possible. Obama has already shown that he is big enough to reward him for that.
Of course the media will turn on Clinton if he does not follow their script and give Obama a snarky, smirky half-hearted endorsement. Same for Hilary. It is the McMedia after all.
I think Obama insisted on the bigger arena so that no matter what happens he will quite literally upstage them all.
August 25, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think your observation about each party writing (or trying to write) their own story line is completely accurate & all for different reasons. Obama's not pushing back too hard yet because as you observed he has an interest in seeing a close race as well (more money as he is perceived to be in trouble). I am pulling for the Dems this year for one reason. Our Country under 8 years of Republican rule seems to be in big trouble & I am hoping the Dems once given the reigns will be able to turn it around 180 degrees.
I must say I was way more energized & enthusiastic about Obama during the primaries & am a bit dis-heartened to see him turn to the middle (although looking back on his primary run he's been very careful to leave himself the wiggle room to re-position). Obama is extremely intelligent & that's where he most makes me comfortable. Most of the hub-ub I believe is created to keep an appearance of a close race in order to generate revenue (on everyone's part). Peace.
August 25, 2008 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
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