So, did CNN and Elon Musk hitch their horse to the wrong wagon?

[Baitball Blogger]

Were these two entities banking on a red wave that would just continue to surge to the 2024 election? And did both of them think they would financially benefit from the Republican's need to find good voice boxes in the media to spread their messages?

Trying to sort out what the next two years are going to be like for them, now that it looks like this country has had enough listening to Republican liars who only have a platform of hate.

And we have just made it through an election, surviving the illegal gerrymandering that the State Supreme Court now has to dismantle.

And for rainbow sprinkles on the cupcake, Putin and his Russian money, are ready to fold. Putin, who doesn't have a lot of time doesn't seem to think that undermining this country's elections one more time is a worthy cause.

I just wonder, without Russian money, would the Republican party even work?

[dalton99a]

1. Liars and traitors

[bucolic_frolic]

2. I never did understand the wisdom of hooking up with a shrinking demographic

Rich Republicans are one thing. Rednecks are another. The only thing they buy is Trump flags.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. You know, that's so true.

It has been a shrinking demographic. So, why didn't they see this coming?

Unless, unless they believed they could rule with a minority, strategically propelled by gerrymandering and a loud megaphone that disguised their numbers?

[brewens]

13. That's one of the reasons for militarized police infested with white supremacists. They think

they can seize power and make everyone else their peasant surf class. They hope to be brutal enough to enforce their rule and keep it. That has never worked before, but they want to try.

[jaxexpat]

34. No need to whistle past the graveyard regarding ....

the American Gestapo. They'll likely take the house and there will be a fight to retain the Senate. I doubt they've lost their will to do their mischief and the bad cops are still on the force. MAGA and Republican are still synonymous.

Abortion and "saving democracy" are the issues. Inflation is their fault as well. Make them eat it!

[KPN]

67. Yeah, which makes it hard not to see MAGAts as anything more

than today’s equivalent to Germany’s brownshirts. A paramilitary for the bazillionaires.

[CousinIT]

4. Anyone hitching their horses to any Republican wagon has made a grave mistake IMO

But that's just me. Hitching their horses to a MAGA trainwreck was especially stupid though.

[machoneman]

42. Just now they realize all that money they gave was wasted. How many now have automatic deductions...

..paid out to losing candidates, TFG included? Bet they have a really hard time cancelling it all out!

[Kaleva]

5. The Doomers and Gloomers here have been pretty quiet

[Baitball Blogger]

6. Russia recalling their bots? LOL!

[Kaleva]

8. Maybe today I'll look at those pre-election threads predicting disaster

[Sympthsical]

7. This world described doesn't exist

Musk will continue to Musk because he's Musk. His ego exists apart from mortal concerns of petty politics. He is Musk unto muskself.

CNN hasn't been doing great for a long time. Hey, I'd be thrilled if they were more like 80s/90s CNN. I was way too young to have been watching it at the time, but a bit ago I went back and watched things like Gulf War reporting, Clinton's elections, OJ, and a few other stories, and it was like, "God. They're just doing news. I would watch this channel if it existed today." I think Licht wants to do that. Now, how to accomplish that in a highly partisan infotainment media landscape is the trick. Will he manage it? I have no idea. It takes time. I don't think anyone will be able to definitively say until maybe 2024.

The Republican Party does not run on Russian money. We need to come back down to earth and away from internet conspiracy on this one. The party subsists on the same old wealthy assholes and corporatism it always has. Russia could collapse tomorrow, and Republicans would chug right along with their usual bullshit and high dollar donors and PACs. What began with Gingrich predates Putin and it will last after him.

If people were actually serious about foreign money and interference instead of focusing on what is partisanly useful, they'd be watching - or even mentioning at all - what China does. Because China is very much going to be our problem for the next twenty years. They're already here.

We've survived the midterms. This is awesome. So let's bring things back into reality now that election fever can subside a bit.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. We disagree on so many things.

I live near a Country Club and I have observed the kind of human behavior that drives people like Trump. Money does influence mission and duty. The Republican party has shown us something I thought I would never see, especially from the Republican party. These same people who herald their ties to the US military, supported Russia, Putin and their policies. That's a fact. And it was all about the campaign money, and possibly other opportunities in the private business world.

But I do agree that there are times when the news should just come across like a documentary. Unfortunately, because everything in this country was turned partisan by the Republicans, the Democrats had to step it up in order to counter their offensive. And if the news just relied on the Republican pov as they did for too long, they would have lost viewers.

[Sympthsical]

15. I think the internet has skewed perspective

I live next to a rural area. Walk out my front door, walk about 100 feet to the left, and the farms and vineyards begin. There are plenty of Trump voters about who I've spoken to.

People are just people. They're not cartoon characters. They're not Bond villains (though Musk sometimes feels like he's getting close). Pull the partisan scales from one's eyes and actually look at how people behave, and things become a lot simpler and less conspiratorial.

Humans aren't great planners. 90% of the time, you are watching people behave out of short to near medium term self-interest. That's it. That's why every election, we worry about gas prices more than climate change - because we know what humans are like.

Republicans latch on to what they think will beat Democrats. Whatever is handy in the moment. If Putin were doing the exact same things he's doing now, but Biden admired him instead of Trump, Republicans would've sent half the military to Kyiv by now. We have a two party system, and a lot of (very, very dumb) contrarianism sets in as a result. We have a system that runs on contrarianism and spite. Sometimes people will support something just to fuck with the other side. (i.e. those Russia t-shirts).

Because that is just how people work. They're not smart in groups, and herds of them are perfect idiots. Social media has created herds the size we've never seen before, where one viral story or tweet can get a lot of very uncritical people to move in a direction.

You're kind of illustrating my initial reply. You mention Russian business dealings - which absolutely exist and are problematic. Have you seen China? Do we pay nearly the same amount of attention to China's business dealings and who's owing what favors to that authoritarian power?

No, because it's not partisanly useful. So we just don't talk about it. China has dumped way more money and done a lot more political and financial favors to power in this country in the last ten years than Russia could ever dream of.

But hey *clap clap* Look over here at Russia. Don't look over there.

And it works, because they know we'll get so fixated on the idea that Republicans are practically Russians, that we won't care what China does.

[Baitball Blogger]

16. Russia put itself in the spotlight because they helped Trump in the 2016 election.

It was the bots and the money.

Of course China is also a problem. But their attempt to break in wasn't as overt and immediate as what Russia did.

[jaxexpat]

41. Hey guys. Just a reminder that it was.....

the 24/7 publicity of things like Clinton's sex life, OJay's homicide life, crap like "Crossfire" and the gulf war that taught cable news what's profitable.

Nobody's safe so long as serial fabricators like Gingrich are welcome on any stage.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

18. I agree entirely.

Chis Licht's aim is to improve the level of journalism on CNN (which has been sorely needed).

In my estimation nothing is better for the future of liberal Democracy (and the Democratic Party) than a well-informed citizenry, and that's (in turn) dependent on great journalism.

The "CNN is going right-wing" conspiracy theory is preposterous. It was started by the ultra-right Free Beacon (a fact which has been reported repeatedly on DU) and yet it won't die. DUers should not advance right-wing talking points. *Sigh*

Liberals should be cheered that CNN's aims are to move past hyping "breaking news-style" sensationalism, opinion-based "infotainment," and trying to re-focus on providing factual and high-quality hard-hitting news.

Nothing would be more helpful to the republic or the party if they are successful in this mission.

[Sympthsical]

25. I never watch cable news, ever

Not even during breaking news. I have the internet just fine.

However, after seeing a lot of clips of what CNN was like back in its Turner days, I would seriously leave that on in the background at home while doing things. I would watch that channel.

I'm not sure if what Licht is attempting is possible within our culture. We'll see. I just think we've already gone down the rabbit hole when it comes to media consumption. We're a culture of choice and curation. "I like this news. This news agrees with me and makes me feel valid in my opinions. I'll keep watching this news."

Isn't that just kind of baked into the cake now? Do people really want just straight news? I do, but I think I'm unusual in that. I feel super fish out of water here on DU because I'm on the much lower end of the scale of partisanship in information consumption. But it's everywhere. Reddit. Facebook. YouTube. People consume what fits their biases.

When people hear or see something in news media they don't like or that goes against how they think the world works, they react so viscerally and emotionally violent. It's like you literally splashed acid in their faces.

To someone like me, that looks full on pathological at this point. But I think too much of our culture - particularly political culture - is like that now.

I'm not super optimistic Licht will succeed. Buy hey, I do admire the attempt.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

31. I think that we are in an age of irrational populism that threatens our future.

Polarized infotainment isn't helpful to the maintenance of a liberal democracy in my opinion.

I am partisan Democrat, and it it my conviction that the values of our party rely on being a reality-based party whose members are well-informed and who action in accordance with reason rather than irrational rage.

I also admire Licht's attempt to resuscitate CNN. I hope he's successful.

[brooklynite]

9. CNN wasn't counting on anything...

Still not seeing this "right wing" shift in their NEWS reporting. At most, they're allowing some more pro-Republican OPINIONS on their shows.

[Baitball Blogger]

11. They have been removing many of their left-leaning pundits,

which is a sure sign of a drastic change.

They can have pro-Republican opinions without drastic measures. Though, they would lose viewers.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

19. Who?

[Baitball Blogger]

22. .

https://nypost.com/2022/08/18/brian-stelter-to-leave-cnn-reliable-sources-program-canceled/

And John Harwood left on his own, but his departure may have been influenced by Licht.

CNN Boss Chris Licht Warns Anxious Staffers Over “More Changes” After Axing Of ‘Reliable Sources’ And Exit Of Brian Stelter
https://deadline.com/2022/08/cnn-firings-brian-stelter-chris-licht-john-malone-warner-bros-discovery-1235096292/

CNN staffers are 'terrified' that new boss Chris Licht is launching a purge of the woke after Brian Stelter and John Harwood were unceremoniously fired - as network tries to win back 'most trusted name in news' title
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11176729/CNN-staffers-terrified-Brian-Stelter-John-Harwood-fired.html

[grantcart]

37. Stelter was given a daily show on their platform which wasn't viable

Ratings on his Sunday show just cratered and we're at their lowest level ever, by a lot.

It was one of those very high quality shoes people would share clips of and compliment but not actually watch.

[Baitball Blogger]

39. If someone is producing good information, you work with them.

It doesn't sound like that option was even attempted.

[grantcart]

40. If someone has a show on a cable it has to produce income his didn't

There solution to give him a platform without the constraints of raising advertising was the online option which didn't work out.

Since no other cable outlet has offered him squat it seems pretty clear that a show that only focuses on media bias is too narrow for a wide viewership no matter how well done it is.

[Baitball Blogger]

48. And that is the problem, isn't it?

How do you counter false information, if you shoot down the fact checkers.

[48656c6c6f20]

38. What does left leaning pundits have to do with

News being reported as, well news without the commentary?
When did punditry become news?

[EYESORE 9001]

12. That's bad too...right?

Right?

[cachukis]

14. I heard one pundit in the last few days who described

the methodology of the Republicans as doubling down. The believed that if they could have gotten more of their voters out they could have won. It never occurs to them that their message fails.
We have to remember the electoral college favors them.
Their weakspot, as I see it, is the youth vote.
We recognize the issues that are mounting for the next generation despite the failures of ours to stop consuming. Their frustration at the adults to not adequately respond to climate change is the issue.
The repubs vote R. That's it.
There are more Gen Zers than boomers.
That's the game. They communicate differently and rely on repititious video messaging, repetitious video messaging.
These youngster do not consult with us. Their shared knowledge is not the experts we sought out, it is the quick response from their peers through their wayback machines.
They need coaches. Good coaches to refine their understanding. Young people don't know how to act, but they want to.
The Hawaiins lack many phonemes. Their language is simple. Their teaching method is by showing, basically expecting their kids to watch the video of life.
We need politicians to capture this generation by showing them, specifically how to act.
The same holds true for the ESL's among us.
The second language learners need to be focused on because they are an increasing share of the population livng in the the social media learning world.
I'm old, but I taught high school kids when the smart phone took over the youth in 2007.
We lost that battle. It is time to acknowledge it.

[UTUSN]

17. 3, 2, 1 - waiting for the poster one-note that we believe in CNN conspiracy theory

to the effect that COLBERT's ex-producer LICHT is taking CNN to the wingnut side.

At the 8:00 mark, COLBERT saying that LICHT has "the best of intentions."

[Baitball Blogger]

20. Great interview.

Almost forgot why I was watching it, until Colbert mentions something at the end.

The problem is that Licht fired people on CNN. That's usually a sign of a toxic leader who has an agenda.

[UTUSN]

23. Keith laid it all out, how LICHT was producer for Joe SCABS back before COLBERT

That LICHT would threaten the wimpy boss Phil GRIFFIN to the effect that Lib guests on Keith's and other hosts' shows had to be dropped or else Joe SCABS would not be at work the next day. And GRIFFIN would cave.

And LICHT was hired by the new corporate owners (wingnut donors) with the mission of making CNN more "balanced."

[Just A Box Of Rain]

24. Hardly. I spent my career working in television, so I know

that EVERY incoming president at networks makes changes. It is an essential part of the job. They get zero credit for shows that they did not green-light and need to develop their own legacy.

So underperforming shows get trimmed. That is standard operating procedure in the business.

Not evidence of a "conspiracy theory." Not toxic.

Light does have an agenda. It is to improve the quality of journalism on CNN.

[Baitball Blogger]

27. Not sure he is even convinced in his methods if he's texting Colbert

all the time, asking to come back.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

28. You didn't understand that Colbert was joking?

[Baitball Blogger]

29. Behind every joke...

[Just A Box Of Rain]

21. Colbert (hardly a right wingers) says "Everybody got all these suspicions about what he's doing,

I happen to know the he [Licht] is doing everything with the best of intentions and he's just got a really long plan and nobody believes him."

Colbert is acknowledging that that there has been a viral conspiracy theory (that crossed over from the ultra-right to the credulous left) but he's telling you it is bunk.

People would be smart to listen to Colbert, as opposed to swallowing right-wing originated swill.

[UTUSN]

26. And here he (one-note) is.

[Scrivener7]

30. No, there are two notes. Defending Saudi Arabia is the other.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

32. There you go again.

[Scrivener7]

33. Oh. It's you. Do you really want to engage? Think that through.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

35. I'd prefer to be on your ignore list, frankly.

But you seem to be on a campaign of attempted character assassination based on untruths and falsehoods, and I'm not a bit intimidated.

Your "troll-hunting" instincts seem worse than your sense of direction.

What is your purpose in harassing a lifelong Democratic loyalist in contravention of the TOS?

It is getting old.

[Scrivener7]

44. Oh, dear. OK, as long as you insist, have you made any progress in finding

all those posts that support the DAMN LIE you told about me? And you STILL haven't answered the question I asked you about that DAMN LIE: what is your game in telling that DAMN LIE?

[Just A Box Of Rain]

46. Not lies. You think "plausible deniability," which is evident in your posts just above,

gives you cover to smear a Democratic loyalist with false charges.

It isn't cool and it is against this board's TOS.

What is your purpose here?

[Scrivener7]

47. The DAMN LIE isn't going away. You told it. You know it.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

49. LOL. Not remotely a lie. You've acted as you did just above since I arrived.

The evidence is right here.

Your constant harassment is off-base, and based on falsehoods.

You should stop.

[Scrivener7]

50. You have YET to produce a SINGLE post to back up your DAMN LIE.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

51. Are you going to deny that you just accused me of "defending Saudi Arabia" or will you attempt to

dodge that lie?

You should stop this mendacious nonsense.

[Scrivener7]

52. I accused YOU of nothing. You, on the other hand told this DAMN LIE about me:

[Just A Box Of Rain]

53. Thank you. You proved my point perfectly.

Adios!

[Scrivener7]

54. Bye! Here. Let me post your DAMN LIE one more time.

Give you one more chance to show any links to back it up.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

55. The truth is clear for all to see.

You denied your latest false accusations just upthread.

What is your purpose here? Smearing a fellow democrat with falsehoods isn't cool.

[Scrivener7]

56. Yes, the truth IS here for all to see:

[Just A Box Of Rain]

57. Just like you deny saying (falsely) that I "defend" Saudi Arabia.

Are you for real?

Own up to your own words, man!

[Scrivener7]

58. Your assumption that that exchange was about you is telling. This, however, leaves no question:

Pony up those links where I called you a Republican. According to you, there are SO many!

[Just A Box Of Rain]

59. LOL. You just dig yourself in deeper.

Deny...deny...deny.

You remind me of that other guy.

[Scrivener7]

60. SO many links you must have! Because, according to you I called you a Republican

SO many times.

And yet in all this time, in all these exchanges, you have produced NONE.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

61. Just look at Post #30.

It is transparent harassment using "plausible deniability" to give cover false charges.

Same old. Same old.

[Scrivener7]

62. That's the best you can do. Nothing to back up your DAMN LIE, just continued projection.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

63. It is very sad.

Slurring a fellow Democrat (constantly) and trying to play "the innocent" looks bad.

Please stop this mendacious nonsense.

[Scrivener7]

65. Oh, sweetheart, it really, really is sad. Any links to prove your DAMN LIE yet?

when you

[Just A Box Of Rain]

68. See Post #30, then multiply x30.

You seem to think slurs lobbed "by inuendo" aren't slurs.

Your behavior is counter to the TOS of this forum.

You really ought to stop harassing a Democratic loyalist with such falsehoods.

[Scrivener7]

69. OK, then post links to your perceived "innuendos." If it's "times 30" that should be NO problem.

But you can't. Because it's a DAMN LIE.

But I'll be waiting eagerly for your 30 links to "innuendos." Or, make it three. I'll make it easy on you. Link to three.

I'll wait.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

70. Why waste my time? You will only deny it, just like with Post #30, which you deny.

Your tactics have been consistent and they are transparent.

Attempting to stalk, harass, and smear a Democratic loyalist isn't cool and it is a contravention of the board rules.

You really should stop.

[Scrivener7]

71. LOL! Can't come up with 3 "innuendos" though you insist there are 30 of them.

Still nothing to back up your DAMN LIE.

Yes, smearing a Democratic loyalist is against board rules. So you shouldn't have done it.

And the only times I have engaged with you since your DAMN LIE was when I came across you accusing another poster of the same thing you accused me of. And otherwise since your DAMN LIE, I have only engaged with you when you have initiated contact. I even gave you the option not to engage in this exchange. So no. No one is stalking or harassing you, and you were the one who smeared me with your DAMN LIE. If anyone needs to stop, it's you.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

72. Read Post #30.

It makes everything very clear.

Smearing DU members "by innuendo" is still a smear.

But keep denying it.

[Scrivener7]

73. So post links to the innuendos. You say there are 30. Where are they? And you say

I accused you of being a Republican repeatedly. Where are the links?

[Just A Box Of Rain]

74. How about you provide the name of the DUer you are charging with "defending" Saudi Arabia?

I'll wait.

[Scrivener7]

75. No links. None at all. Supposedly there are 30 "innuendos" and repeated accusations of

being a Republican. And yet, in all this time, no links. So sad.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

76. Which DUer are you accusing of "defending Saudi Arabia."

Speak plainly!

[Scrivener7]

77. Is that your three links out of 30? And your links to my supposedly repeatedly calling you a

Republican?

As far as who that referred to, you appear to assume it is you. Why is that?

[Just A Box Of Rain]

78. Why do you refuse to say who you are accusing of a defense of Saudi Arabia?

You made a charge. Why don't you own it?

[Scrivener7]

79. Look, I'm sure you'll come back with some lame NON-LINK to anything to prove your DAMN LIE

but I'm bored of this. Have a lovely day! Until next time you start this up!
(But lest you think you can AGAIN smear me while you think I am not looking, I wouldn't recommend it.)

[Just A Box Of Rain]

80. Bored? You charge people with things, but then hide behind "plausible deniability."

Be explicit. Which DU member are you accusing of defending Saudi Arabia?

Own up to your own words.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

36. KR NT

[Tarc]

43. This is the first election *ever* that I did not put CNN on. Not even for a second.

Pure CNN til 2016, then started to share time on election night at MSNBC. More and more they bend over backwards to bring the Trump Conservative opinion to the table, ad I was just done with it.

Flipped for a few minutes at most in 2020, the vast majority of the might was with Joy Reid, Rachel, and Nicolle Wallace, who were amazing.

2022, MSNBC all the way.

[DownriverDem]

45. Except

The next 2 years are going to be pure hell if the MAGA repubs win the House. 2 years wasted.

[housecat]

64. I just hope that this isn't just another false start. And just like J6 we came close to losing it

[Mme. Defarge]

66. Good question!