DC Journalists Love GOP Obstructionists, But Americans Don't

[Wetzelbill]

DC Journalists Love GOP Obstructionists, But Americans Don't

There appears to be a pretty big gap between what DC journalists think Americans think, and what Americans actually think. No better example of this can be found than the "winners" and "losers" that DC media are proclaiming in the wake of the passage of the stimulus bill, and what DailyKos/Research 2000 polling on the subject indicates.

DC opinion: It's good for the Republicans!

MSNBC's First Read lists among its winners "the Republican Party (which demonstrated unity after its big losses in November), and No.2 House Republican Eric Cantor (who raised his profile during the debate)." Reid gets a win, Pelosi gets a loss.

Chris Cillizza also declares Eric Cantor a victor for maintaining party discipline (although he tags him a loser too for the AFSME ad). Reid gets a "win" here too, and House Democrats are deemed losers, because "it appeared as though this was a Senate-run production."

Fox News unsurprisingly says "Republican lawmakers may turn out to be winners. Most of them voted against the package, and in their largely unified opposition, they found an issue to galvanize the party after two consecutive dispiriting electoral defeats." Reid and Pelosi don't exist.

Liz Sidoti also says the Republicans win: "Adrift after back-to-back electoral losses, they found their voice against a Democratic speaker and an expanded majority. They held to the GOP's cornerstone of fiscal conservatism as they led the effort to define the package as too costly and too quick." Likewise, Jon Boehner: "He strengthened his hold on his job, keeping his rank-and-file united against the House version." Again, Reid gets a win. She gives Pelosi and Mitch McConnell losses.

The Rest of America: "Thanks For the Help"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-hamsher/dc-journalists-love-gop-o_b_167277.html

[BlooInBloo]

1. I'm partial to TPM's name for it: "The Big Disconnect"...

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/02/the_big_disconnect.php

Of course Atrios and others have been harping on the Villagers for years. But this is one of the more striking contrasts between them and *actual* Americans.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Interesting comments on Tom Cooper's piece as well....

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/obamas-winning-week-really.php

[BlooInBloo]

5. Good find. Thanks.

[ShockediSay]

7. Sounds to me like the Fundie Funded Media Propaganda

machine at work.

[FrenchieCat]

2. These washington DC corporate pundit heads are the reason

we are in such fucked up shape.

And they all think it's funny. That's the maddening part.

[babylonsister]

3. Every time President Obama goes on the road, DC talking heads

lose a bit more credibility. So do the rethugs.

I'm not that worried!

Here's a thought:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x425651

[enigmatic]

6. They are living in their own narrative reality

But everybody else is actually living in Reality.

[Wetzelbill]

8. and I love how they condescend to those outside of their "reality"

And ohhh how the DC media takes them sooo seriously. Psh. :)

[devilgrrl]

9. The Grand Obstructionist Party

eom