I read that the New York Times managed to top its Judith Miller moment last night
Jeff Zeleny embarrassed himself and his paper when he asked Obama what was the most “enchanted” moment of his first 100 days. I was unable to see whether the question was read out of a My Little Unicorn notepad.
The link to the transcript from the NYT is here
And then I read a mind-numbing editorial by GOP rep Lamar Smith about the media’s double standards in covering Obama. The reading gave me whiplash as it contained one true statement and one whopper in repeated succession. here’s the weird premise:
the national media have shown they have a clear double standard in how they cover Obama, compared with Republican presidents.
And here are some examples:
The article is correct in pointing out the skewed polls
Thirty-nine percent of respondents were Democrats, compared with just 23 percent who were Republicans — a 16-point gap.
or the lack of coverage of their protests by the media.
The author seems to forget that this was exactly what was happening a few years ago: anti-war protests were being ignored and GOP-ers were oversampled in polls. It’s statements like this that make it all a joke
Whether it’s because of bias or prejudice, Republican presidents face much tougher media scrutiny.
Imagine if a Republican president had already broken six significant promises in his first 100 days, as Obama has done,
Oh, I don’t need to imagine – I was here during the Bush coverage – and I mean not just in the past 2 years when media turned to Obama. I remember the glossing over the “16 words” and the ever evolving definition of the reasons for war and articles about “what Bush reads”
I am also old enough to remember the coverage of Clinton – who remained popular IN SPITE of the incessant attacks.
Bush’s Pet Goat moment has been smothered in silence. Obama’s raiding Ground Zero for souvenir photos – already burried in “enchantments.
But everyone still knows of “Whitewater” – with a selected few knowing that it was media fabrication. Compare that to the pains media took to keep Obama untainted by the very real Chicago corruptions scandals making page one every day.
So, Lamar dear – if it’s double standard you are after, you need to dig a bit further.
Obama is getting Jr.jr treatment from the media – your party just happens to be on the other side now.
The standards are as “enchanted” as always when it comes to the elite.
5 comments
April 30, 2009 at 6:56 am
kenoshamarge
Exactly.
The funny old thing is that most people have such nice little double-standards. If something negative is said about their party/people then it’s obvious “media” bias. When something negative is said about your party/people then it’s about damn time the media did it’s job.
Unfortunately for the citizens of this country the media isn’t doing it’s job. Period. And unfortunately for those of us that wish that were not true many/most of our fellow citizens are all in favor or bashing the other guy while giving our guy a free pass.
It’s more than sad, it’s dangerous. Because we will never get the truth so long as so many of us don’t care or can’t tell the difference when the media bias is so apparent. So long as it leans, hell it damn near falls over, their way then all is well. No wonder our leaders lack honesty and integrity when so many of our citizens don’t either.
April 30, 2009 at 7:10 am
Lina
Suggested questions for Obama from the media:
Boxer or briefs?
What is your favorite color?
If you could be a tree what kind of tree would you be?
April 30, 2009 at 8:49 am
Mrs. Bucket
Add to that:
Do you sleep on the left or the right side of bed.?
Do you like your waffles with or without syrup?
April 30, 2009 at 8:42 am
Mrs. Bucket
RE: “The author seems to forget that this was exactly what was happening a few years ago: anti-war protests were being ignored and GOP-ers were oversampled in polls. It’s statements like this that make it all a joke.”
AMEN! PREACH IT SISTER!
April 30, 2009 at 9:19 pm
lanikai
Problem is the media is doing its job, unfortunately informing the populace is no longer its job. Carrying water for the oligarchy is its job, and its well paid for doing it. Sad, democracy can’t exist, as we are seeing, without a free unhindered, interested and ethical press, what to do?