News Media - Refuses To Call GOP On Its "Just A Business Cycle, Do Nothing" Platform

[Median Democrat]

If there is any doubt that big media merely lets the GOP spout off Karl Rove/Rush Limbaugh talking points, notice this exchange from Senator Bob Corker on CNN, then the remarks by Karl Rove. Of course, no one asks the GOP the obvious questions: (1) are you advocating that the government do nothing and (2) if the economy is going to recover anyways, why push for tax cuts that will also further expand the deficit?

I am afraid that liberals and the American public are once again going to be taken for GOP dominated cable news spin that mindlessly lets the GOP push its talking points:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0902/06/sitroom.03.html

/SNIP

CORKER: OK. BLITZER: Go ahead, Candy.

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Senator, it is probably pretty to say that this bill is going to look more like what President Obama wants than like what you would like to see and what most Republicans would like to see.

Let us assume that it goes out there and, in fact, does begin to turn the economy around.

Aren't you then on the wrong side of this politically?

Do you not then sort of doom this party to minority ship, if you will, for the next election and beyond?

CORKER: Well, I think that's a great question. And, Candy, I came here to major in substance, OK, not to major in sort of the politics of the issues. And on substance, I just think this is the wrong thing.

I hope the economy turns around. And, by the way, with or without a stimulus, at some point, the economy is going to turn around because we have cycles, OK.

But I truly -- this is not a political vote to me. I cannot possibly imagine how this type of spending within government is going to create jobs.

And so I hope the economy turns around. I hope it happens by the time the next election occurs. I do not see this at all as a political risk. I see this as something I'm voting my conscience. I've been in business all of my life. I was a commission of finance for a state. I know how this money gets expended in state government and here at the federal government. And I just do not believe this is a stimulus bill.

But I hope, Candy, I hope that huge jobs are created, because there are so many people in my state, so many people all across our country that need jobs...

BLITZER: All right...

CORKER: ...but they will not be created because of this stimulus package, I can assure you of that.

/SNIP


http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/02/12/1791612.aspx

/snip

"Rove’s two cents:

In his Wall Street Journal column today, Karl Rove applauds the way congressional Republicans played their hand during the stimulus, saying that they were smart to point out politically unpopular spending provisions; that they were “gracious” in talking with the Obama White House (really?); and that they were wise to propose alternative solutions (tax cuts). But, echoing our comment above, he also issues this warning to his party: “f Republicans predict economic doom, they will overplay their hand. The Democratic stimulus will slow recovery, but not stop it. Recessions don't last forever and, if history is a guide, sometime late this year or early next the economy will rebound on its own. When that happens, Democrats will argue that their untargeted, permanent spending actually revived the economy.”

/snip

[Lasher]

1. Republicans are trying to inoculate themselves against consequences of their obstruction

Three, count 'em three, Republicans in all of Congress voted for the stimulus. They're saying the economy will recover all by itself, and that the stimulus is just wasted spending that will have no impact. This is what they are already trying to sell in order to escape retribution after the Obama recovery.

[Median Democrat]

2. Where Were These Republicans When They Voted For Bush $1.2 Trillion Tax Cut In 2001?

The 2001 recession was mild compared to current financial crisis, yet that did not stop the Republicans from passing Bush's $1.2 trillion tax cut, which primarily benefitted the richest 1 percent. In comparison, only a year into the current recession, and we have already loss over 3 million jobs. Yet, the Republicans say that we should do nothing, because the economy will recover anyways. Does anyone ever bother to ask them about why Bush is one of the few Presidents to have two separate recessions under his belt? Could the GOP's policies have something to do with it?

<>

[Lasher]

3. Wow, that's a powerful graphic.

I found a link to the source at Pelosi's website: http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?p=1683

Thanks for sharing.

[Median Democrat]

4. The MSM Continues To Present RW Talking Points As Legitimate

Yet, there is no effort whatsoever to challenge these talking points. The cable news shows simply allow GOP types to spout off their non-sense such as the "economy will recover anyways" without asking why then didn't the Republican congress show some restraint before passing a $1.2 trillion deficit exploding tax cut that benefits the rich in 2001? Also, to cover up their RW bias, the cable news shows always have episodes regarding "liberal bias" without one single episode questing the corporate bias of media.

Afterall, you would think with all the corporate sponsors, there would be some bias, but I guess it is taboo to acknowledge this corporate RW bias.