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After arguing this for so many years with so many proponents of going after independent voters...
Attracting independent voters requires fair media coverage
To attract up-for-grabs voters, you have to successfully get your message to them. But to attract your own likely voters, it doesn't matter how the message arrives. I can watch Fox "News" and still be proud of Obama, no matter what they say. But an inattentive, middle ground voter is different. Many of them can be swayed by a negative news story or a negative comment from their favorite TV host or celebrity. A candidate really is stuck relying on the media to pass the message on as-sent.
Asking for fair media coverage is just like rolling the dice
Good luck with that. Sometimes the media firestorm is in our favor. Sometimes it ain't. But if the strategy puts the messaging at the mercy of the media, we are bound to be disappointed at some point in each election cycle. Ask John Kerry. The media didn't go after swift boat guys till after the election. They didn't go after the guys who lied about McCain in SC (2000) till after the election. This is how it goes!
Focus on your likely voters and the independents will come
That's why I advocate that a candidate focus on her/his likely voters, and allow those voters to spread the message to their open-minded friends. That's how you attract independent voters. Its much more sensible than steering policy towards people who have their heads up their own arses and don't pay attention till the last minute.
Complaints about the media
Complaining about the media is just a blame shift to be hauled out when the indep. voter strategy doesn't work. The real blame belongs to those who advocate for bad, short-term politics at the expense of the long-term health of our party.
Support the voters who support you. Then you don't have to whine about the media being unfair.
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