The Anger Factor-Media Getting Mad at McCain/Palin

[babylonsister]

The Anger Factor

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, September 11, 2008; 10:09 AM


The media are getting mad.

Whether it's the latest back-and-forth over attack ads, the silly lipstick flap or the continuing debate over Sarah and sexism, you can just feel the tension level rising several notches.

Maybe it's a sense that this is crunch time, that the election is on the line, that the press is being manipulated (not that there's anything new about that).

News outlets are increasingly challenging false or questionable claims by the McCain campaign, whether it's the ad accusing Obama of supporting sex-ed for kindergartners (the Illinois legislation clearly describes "age-appropriate" programs) or Palin's repeated boast that she stopped the Bridge to Nowhere (after she had supported it, and after Congress had effectively killed the specific earmark).

The McCain camp has already accused the MSM of trying to "destroy" the governor of Alaska. So any challenge to her record or her veracity can now be cast as the product of an oh-so-unfair press. Which, needless to say, doesn't exactly please reporters, and makes the whole hanging-with-McCain-on-the-Straight-Talk era seem 100 years ago.

As for the sudden insistence that Palin is a delicate flower who must be shielded from harsh rhetoric, take this example. Joe Biden, asked if Palin as VP would be a step forward for women, said: "Look, I think the issue is: What does Sarah Palin think? What does she believe? I assume she thinks and agrees with the same policies that George Bush and John McCain think. And that's obviously a backward step for women."

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/04/11/LI2005041100587.html?hpid=topnews

[1corona4u]

1. I think this is going to blow up in their

many faces. I really do. Lesson; don't piss off the media.

[LSparkle]

3. Agreed. We all know they're useless but they still think they're "vital"

that they're performing some vaunted "Fifth Estate"
function. I thought BombBomb learned that lesson
years ago with his whole "Straight Talk Express"
b.s. ... Hopefully not!

[AlCzervik]

2. good read and thanks for posting. Looks the honeymoon might be almost over.

[damntexdem]

4. They can claim the media is out to get Palin all they want.

The issue is that if the media actually investigate McCain/Palin claims and report on their investigations, their reports will be undermining McCain and Palin.

[FrenchieCat]

5. Sure they are!

She stepped of the plane in Alaska, and they had a group orgasm.....but OK, Mr. Corporate Tool Kurtz!

[babylonsister]

6. I've noticed the m$m seems to be more critical than normal; I don't

know about her Alaskan welcome committee.

[Dr Fate]

13. But will you be able to say that in October?

I hope so, but seriously doubt it.

[babylonsister]

14. I'm foolishly hoping the debates might change the conversation

to issues that matter instead of McBush being allowed to create diversions.

[ErinBerin84]

7. uh, I know that Joe Klein is pissed at McCain now...

but does Howard really consider him to be a "liberal pundit"?


Howard is a tool.

[Dr Fate]

8. I dont count on the media at all- but Biden's quote is perfect.

I think you guys are making a huge mistake if you thnik the media is going to be attacking Mccain in October.

If the media really was in the business of attacking politicians who disrespect them, they would have never given Bush the benefit of the doubt and such favorable coverage (and such poor coverage for DEMS) for 2 elections in a row.

My personal belief is that the media is getting their "attacks" out of the way now so they can claim "objectivity" when they are boosting their GOP masters in October.

"How can you say we are biased for McCain, dont you remember when we asked him some tough questions several weeks back?"

Any one care to place bets?

[Jacobin]

9. This is stage craft

Keep in mind that 55% plus supported the invasion of Iraq. They now know it was a mistake and the 'bearers of the bad news" about their support for this idiocy are newspeople. Who the ignorant love to hate.

The more the media 'gets mad' at her, the more the base and the idiots in the middle who don't pay attention will come out to vote for POW and MooseMomma.

I also think the media moguls are allowing their 'journalists' this leeway knowing what the result will be.

Its all kabuki theatre

[Dr Fate]

11. I've seen better staged rivalries on "Reality" TV programs.

Media in September:

"Look at us we are attacking McCain- look! LOOK!"

Media in October:

McCain is the second coming of Christ! Obama is corrupt! Of course we are not biased- remember when we went after him a few weeks back?

No offense to other DUers, but a Democrat who counts on the media to do the right thing is a fool...

[flamingdem]

10. Their lives will be misery as well with Todd-Sarah/Palin & McBush in power

They will be denied access and upbraided endlessly.

[Dr Fate]

12. Actually, the MSM experienced that during the 1st 4 years of Bush. Yet they still loved him in 2004.

And then they experinced this for 4 more years after that.

Yet the GOP is still given more than equal time and is given the benefit of the doubt on many major issues.

I dont think the media really minds being denied "access"- they forgot what access evenis. For 8 years they have been completey content with just reporting what ever they are handed- I dont see why now is any different...

[ProgressiveEconomist]

15. K&R(#1). Palin's dominance of the media can't last, IMO.

[emulatorloo]

16. K&R eom

[kurth_]

17. Just a temporary lapse of their Palin ass kissing

They'll recover very soon.