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MSM Getting In the Game
I just read the NYT piece published Saturday evening and noticed afer reading it that Josh has posted about it at TPM. Josh is correct that it is a must read.
I've little doubt the Times checked this out carefully and wouldn't publish such a scathing article without making sure of what they are saying. There is undoubtedly some acrimony being built up in the MSM for things the McCain campaign is doing and this article reflects that. Even taking that into consideration though the Times paints an exceedingly ugly picture of Palin. I suspect things will get really nasty from here.
Assuming the Times has this correct Palin has no place on a presidential ticket of any political party. The mentality this brings into focus is seriously at odds with our democracy, our laws and our perceptions of right and wrong.
Even more than that though, the insight it provides into the judgement of McCain should elevate the doubt of those persons who might be considering to cast their ballot for him. I don't want to call this a hatchet job even though some people might view it as such. I see it more as an awakening of the MSM. Voters desperately need to have these insights. The Times is staking it's reputation on what they are saying here so I would be inclined to trust their reporting. The one thing they should have done is move it off the NY edition and page A1 to the national edition Sunday front page. This is of very pressing national interest and needs to be front and center.
I've little doubt the Times checked this out carefully and wouldn't publish such a scathing article without making sure of what they are saying. There is undoubtedly some acrimony being built up in the MSM for things the McCain campaign is doing and this article reflects that. Even taking that into consideration though the Times paints an exceedingly ugly picture of Palin. I suspect things will get really nasty from here.
Assuming the Times has this correct Palin has no place on a presidential ticket of any political party. The mentality this brings into focus is seriously at odds with our democracy, our laws and our perceptions of right and wrong.
Even more than that though, the insight it provides into the judgement of McCain should elevate the doubt of those persons who might be considering to cast their ballot for him. I don't want to call this a hatchet job even though some people might view it as such. I see it more as an awakening of the MSM. Voters desperately need to have these insights. The Times is staking it's reputation on what they are saying here so I would be inclined to trust their reporting. The one thing they should have done is move it off the NY edition and page A1 to the national edition Sunday front page. This is of very pressing national interest and needs to be front and center.
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Oh, and don't miss a similar piece in the Sunday Washington Post, regarding Palin's tenure as mayor. Very good and juicy -- lots of petty behavior displayed, incompetence, corruption, tyranny, the works. She shows all the hallmarks of the Bush Administration on a small stage:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/13/AR2008091302596.html?hpid=topnews
I believe that Palin has peaked. It only took two weeks, but because she was an unknown prior to skidding onto the national stage on August 29th, it has been an all-out sprint to define her. She's got no back-history with the American people, so every bad mark is quick to stain.
September 14, 2008 3:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
Unfortunately, Fox and CNN are just as far on the side of McBush - so they cancel each other out.
That is an improvement, however - but I don't think Obama needs the help. He'll win this thing in a landslide.
McBush and Palin are TOO STUPID to get elected.
Anyone who isn't a complete moron who thinks any of the debates will come out OK for the Repubs? ANYONE???
September 14, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you that Obama will win in the end, because McCain/Palin has peaked. They can only go down from here.
They are stupid, but unfortunately that's not necessarily a liability in US elections. B*sh was DESTROYED by Kerry in the debates, but millions of morons voted for him anyway. That's because idiots are a significant voting block, and they engage in identity politics, voting for one of their own. They are hostile to any sign of intelligence.
However, the meme is taking hold. McCain/Palin are dishonest. They lie. They'd rather lose their integrity than lose an election. You're going to see a freefall in their poll numbers between now and Nov. 4th.
September 14, 2008 7:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Terry,
I've thought about how Palin is like Bush but I have been slowly but repeatedly finding myself revising my opinion on that score. I've come to the conclusion she is worse than Bush in every way possible. That includes all the typical things we can readily name but it also includes her handlers who seem not to get it. She isn't ready for this and won't be for quite a long time (if ever). Picking her is a monumental screwup that could well cost republicans some additional seats in congress. And McCain keeps pouring gas on the fire as well.
This is really quite amazing. Republicans were under the gun going into this and have only managed to make things worse for themselves. I think we will hear that comment in the weeks ahead. Listen for it. I'm convinced you'll hear it again.
September 14, 2008 7:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am so in agreement with you!
September 14, 2008 3:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
And with this increasingly negative tone towards Palin in the press, imagine how they will have to rationalize a McCain/Palin win if it happens.
They will either have to turn on Obama and tear him to shreds for losing or they will have to turn on the stupid low-informaton voters for not voting for Obama.
September 14, 2008 11:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
How about we turn on you, you pathetic coward?
September 14, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good one, old grouch! LOL
September 15, 2008 12:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
I doubt people would have time to worry about Obama should the unlikely event you refer to actually happen.
McCain and Palin and republicans would be full speed ahead figuring out how to destroy the country in their newfound fantasy. The idea of McCain winning would provide an affirmation of the Bush presidency from which the nation could never recover. I can envision it would hasten the nation to a future time when there would be blood in the streets. People have to recognize that there is a limit to how starkly this nation can be divided before all hell breaks loose.
September 14, 2008 1:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hello? The press always does about faces, Lalo. It's what they do. I mean -- are you forgetting that just a few days ago Sarah Palin (in the main) was a gutsy choice, a feisty tasty little tidbit for the right wing faithful, etc., etc.
So turn on Obama and blame him for losing an election? No problem. The press can do that as easily as water rolling off a rock. And nobody will even notice.
Beyond that, I have to say I find this sudden red flag waving in Sarah Palin's regard very interesting indeed. You're correct that it seems like a concerted effort to counter her momentum, but why?
Even the Wall Street Journal has gotten in the act. And that makes me think this woman is toxic to way more than just me and my liberal friends.
Also makes me think that there are a lot of us who think she will wind up president as well. And/or that there's way too big a chance for that.
So the truth is Sarah Palin is lightweight choice for a very heavyweight position. And everybody but the Christian right and some women's magazines who need to sell copies at grocery store cash registers knows it.
September 14, 2008 1:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
The $66M and 500K new donors in August dovetail nicely with the MSM articles. With about 2.5M campaign donors at $50 each means $125M to go; this means about $200M+ between now and Nov. 4.
In short money is not an issue, the press need to keep on doing what it is now doing.
September 14, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
I celebrated that 66 million number with hundred bucks to them this afternoon.
September 14, 2008 3:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know how many regional papers reprint articles from the NYT but The Seattle Times reprinted that article in today's Sunday paper. It reprinted another NYT article about Palin in the last few days and has had some of it's own probing articles relating to controversial aspect of her governing. It's hard for me to tell how she is being received in other parts of the nation because Seattle is a pretty progressive city, but she's not popular here.
September 14, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that she is toxic to a wider audience... what did not get a lot of play was the 300 point tumble on Wall Street the night of McCain's speech, and a similar tumble since, the takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the impending takeover of Lehman Bros, the former Fed chairman condemning the McCain economic plan. etc. etc. McCain is NOT GOOD for Wall Street or the economy.
September 14, 2008 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
As I recall it, the tumble came the day after her speech... the day of his. My take on that:
Sarah spoke.
The bear awoke.
September 14, 2008 3:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Make Palin-McCain go away please. I can't stand their mugs anymore, please
September 14, 2008 4:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, I'm all for the "librul" press calling a turd a turd but when people read it in Birmingham, Macon, or Shreveport, thats all they will see in the by-line: Yankee libruls.
It doesn't mean crap to them because they don't listen to what the so-called "intelligencia" say.
Now, when the SAME talking points are taken up by the editors of the local paper and folks around the water cooler, then we may be getting somewhere.
At the very least, perhaps the undecideds and more moderate folks will come around.
September 14, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nobody here cares what "Birmingham, Macon, or Shreveport" voters make of the New York Times Sarah Palin article.
What we do care about is what Harrisburg, Canton, Albuquerque, and Green Bay voters make of it.
September 14, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
True that. But, my point was that the facts will get glossed over when certain folks consider the source. In the conservative parts of the country, the facts will sink in *if* they are taken up by local media.
September 15, 2008 12:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
jasperjava:
I agree with you -- but I remember feeling that Kerry would certainly win in '04. How could he not? Anyway, I hope you are right.
McCain Lies
September 14, 2008 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink