The purpose of this blog post is to analyze all of one day's headlines on the Politico.com, one of the most popular political news sites on the web, to see if there is a conservative bent to the content. The Politico, I believe, is much more dangerous than avowedly partisan sites because it has a neutral reputation and is widely respected as a legitimate nonpartisan political news site. 

Since many people read only headlines, and they're clearly the most memorable part of the article for the vast majority of readers, I'm limiting my analysis to them.  I somewhat subjectively divided the headlines into conservative-friendly, progressive-friendly, and neutral.  Basically what I'm trying to get at here is the cognitive impact of these headlines--how they are likely to affect feelings or opinions toward a party's agenda or members.  This doesn't have to be purely through spin and unfair wording, but often it is.   

Just remember, folks, this is just one day's headlines.  Just imagine the impact on people who read the site several times a week.  This is a very tricky task to undertake in a rational way.  Everything has to stand up to scrutiny for this to be a valid method of critiquing the news.  If you can think of a better way to do it, I'd be happy to hear from you.


TODAY'S POLITICO HEADLINES

Conservative Friendly

"Wilson's Rallying Cry" (main headline) While the President giving a speech on the country's greatest challenge, in the most important legislative chamber on earth, Rep. Wilson screams out and calls him a liar.  Some, including Rahm Emmanuel, say it has never happened before.  He's condemned by his own party leaders, forced to apologize, and his opponent raises $100,000 overnight.  All in all, it was a terrible day for Rep. Wilson.  Politico could have called it an "outburst", or portrayed it as it was--an unprecedented act of boorishness-- but instead the headline implies the President's agenda drove him to scream and energizing his party. 

Of course, the most damaging aspect of this, however, might be that it completely diverts attention from the policy message of Obama's speech.

"GOP Leaders fire up crowd on Hill"  The takeaway is that a large majority of Americans are opposed to the health care bill, and Republicans are getting people excited.  The subheading mentions that there were only about 800 people in attendance.  This sort of news might be acceptable if comparable democratic events are covered to the same extent and are also described as lively and passionate.  From a brief perusal of old articles, they're not.

"What Obama Said, What He Meant"   Obviously this implies that there is a significant difference between what Obama says and what he means.  A neutral headline might purport to explain where he was right and where he was wrong. The subheading says "Obama portrays reform as nonthreatening."  Instead of describing this generally fair and factually accurate speech as  'assuring' or 'explaining', Politico implies that he might be hiding reform's threatening nature.

"Boehner Defends Wilson on Substance"   Perpetuates the myth that illegal immigrants will benefit from health care reform, despite a progressive-friendly sidebar headline stating "PolitiFact: Wilson Immigration Claim 'false'"

"Dems Heckled Bush, Too", "Reid called Bush liar, stood by comment," These headlines seem to offer talking points for those who want to defend Wilson, though they aren't exactly fair comparisons.  The point was not that he called Obama a liar, but that he shouted it during a Presidential address, something that probably has never happened before.  Also, Dems did collectively boo on two occasions, as have Republicans, but none have made individual exclamations.

"Line in the Sand, Squiggle in the Mud" subheading: "Obama offers few new ideas, but radiates confidence-- he knows how to give a speech, give him that."  Need I say more?  This completely ignores the policy content of his speech and reinforces the notion that he is a good public speaker and little else.  Besides, why does he need new ideas?  It seems like the problem is people don't understand the old ones.

"Boustany Rebukes Public Option" Subheading: "GOP response pounds back against public option."  The trend here seems to be playing up the successfulness of GOP arguments and tactics.  They don't just 'oppose' or 'speak out against', they 'rebuke' and 'pound back' against the public option.  

"Can Pelosi, Hoyer Keep Lid on Tension?" All this headline does is cast doubt on health care reform, despite the lack of any new development.

"Echoes of Clinton in Obama Speech" Suprisingly, Clinton's infamous failed attempt at health reform and Obama's current effort share the frequent use of words such as 'insurance' and 'health care'.  Ergo, Obama's effort will fail.

"Wilson gives Obama a taste of town hall" This is a bit weak, but I get the sense it implies Obama is isolated from reality, which is that ordinary

"Cook Calls Reid Race a Toss-Up"

 
Progressive Friendly

"PolitiFact: Wilson Immigration Claim 'false" A rare fact check on Politico.

"Health Reform is Worth Uphill Battle" An Op-Ed from Tom Daschle,

"VIDEO: Cantor Atwitter, not attentive" A video of Eric Cantor on his Blackberry during the Obama speech.  Should be the tiniest of dents  in Cantor's reputation.

"Obama Jabs FOX dance show" It could have been "FOX refuses to air Obama speech", but at least its acknowledging the fact.

"Dem Governors Laud Obama Speech" The subheading explains how they think 'overhauling' they system will help their states budget woes.  This barely qualifies, though, considering they refer to reform as an 'overhaul', and it should impress no conservative that Dem governors support a Dem president.

"Obama: Now is the Season for Action"

"Teddy's Letter to Obama"


Neutral

"Dems renew push for Wilson Censure"
"Pelosi Considered Gavelling Wilson"
"Wilson Opponent Fills Coffers"
"Specter Wants Wilson Censured"
"Limbaugh Wishes Wilson Hadn't Apologized"
"VIDEO: Pundits react "you lie"
"NEA Director in Politics Flap"
"Reid: Public option in eye of beholder"
"Power for Harkin, Boost for Lincoln"
"Dodd Keeps a Hand in Health Care"
"Frank Says Dodd Will Get Reform Done"
"Is Iran Serious on Nuke Talk Offers?"
"Baucus Moves Bill Forward"
"Long Live the Culture Wars"
"D.C.'s Power Siblings"
"Health Fight Arouses Immigration Battle"
"Deeds Hits McDonnell on Thesis"
"Rep Ortiz: Quit Bashing Libya"
"VIDEO: Obama Speech Highlights"
"Obama Hits Critics"
"Endorses Public Option Idea"
"Pundits react: Obama's Speech"
"Remembers Kennedy"
"Obama Unlikely to Make Olympic Pitch"
"VIDEO: Obama's Gibbs and Takes"


Final Analysis:

There were 43 headlines today, 58% of them I consider neutral.  About 26% of them were conservative-friendly, and about 16% progressive-friendly.  But as you can see, the cognitive effect in favor of conservatives is high.  Republicans are "pounding back," "fired up", and "rallying", Whereas Democrats are besieged with tension and Obama is probably just a good public speaker without any leadership skills.  As for the progressive-friendly articles, they barely even qualify as progressive-friendly.  I can't imagine how any of them could slightest impact on the opinions of its readers.  A former Democratic Senator wants health care reform?  Obama wants to move on health care this season?  Eric Cantor wasn't paying attention to the speech?  I just don't see any of rhetorical punch you see for conservative views.  Even without my analysis, just reading the headlines should be enough to see the conservative tilt.

Bonus fun fact: 28% of Politico's headlines were about the Wilson Scream, which is even larger if you just count the articles published today.