The Des Moines Register's Practical Joke

[TroyD]

by Michael Tomasky

Oct 28, 2012 7:50 AM EDT

This Romney endorsement editorial, if you actually bother to read it, is little more than a practical joke. First of all, it has all the hallmarks of having been ordered by the publisher over the objections of the editorial board. Normally, a sentence like "the Register’s editorial board, as it should, had a vigorous debate over this endorsement," translated into blunt English means: "Our idiot publisher forced this tripe down our throats, and we're counting on you the more knowledgeable readers to understand this."

The argument, such as it is, is as substanceless as meringue. Mitt Romney could "forge compromises with Congress" to get the economy rolling again? The first part of that might actually be true, but only because the Democrats in Congress aren't nearly as ideologically hidebound and politically obstreperous as their GOP counterparts.

But the second part, fixing the economy, creating jobs, tackling the deficit? Romney has been ridiculously vague on all these things. The editorial doesn't so much as gesture in that direction. And then bam, the editorial ends. Just when you think it might start mounting such "arguments," it ends. I actually hit the refresh button three times, as I couldn't believe the entire editorial had loaded properly. It's as Potemkin Village-ish a piece of journalistic writing as I've seen in a long time.

Sadly, it probably will make a small difference, although I'm sure the politically inside elite out in Iowa is laughing about this morning. Most polls indicate that Obama has a couple of points to spare in the state. We'll see. You can ask Hillary Clinton how much good the DMR did her in January 2008/

More:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/10/28/the-des-moines-register-s-practical-joke.html

[Tutonic]

1. Wow, can't believe that the Daily Beast got it right

Iowa voters will get it right. I'd like ot say that you can't buy elections but after 2000 and 2004 we rightly know that the GOP has done just that.

[chimpymustgo]

2. Thank you for posting this. The endorsement MADE NO SENSE. No sentient, fair journalistic body

could endorse rMoney. But a greedy corporatist publisher looking to smooth the path toward the feudal system we are headed for could lustily do just that.

Like the other fat pigs threatening their workers to vote against their own interests. Yet again, the corporate fist bullies the electorate - from advertising, to polling to so-called journalism.

We are so f*cked.

[DCBob]

3. bribed.

[flamingdem]

9. +1 yup

[Mutiny In Heaven]

4. So...more journalistic cowardice?

What a horrible trade that has become in many quarters. You just know - especially on TV - that a lot of the well-known faces are aware they're peddling shit, but they carry on because it's a cushy job. You look at the entire CNN line-up and there's barely an independent thought expressed between them; I find that degree of cronyism distasteful.

[nolabels]

5. Thanks for telling me what i am not missing

I have watched and or listened to NO corporate bullshit television news for the last 6 or 7 years and haven't missed it either. Yea, if i pass by a Daily Show i might stick but it's mostly only sports, science or good movies i watch (when i have the time). I have found good reading sources much more informative and do share in outrage of about having to pay for someones cronyism

[Mutiny In Heaven]

6. I skim rather than watch, but it's still upsetting

In my opinion, the journalist has a responsibility to inform, question and investigate. But it's so rare that they do nowadays.

[iowalib]

7. Eco-Friendly Use Found for Register Romney Endorsement

Des Moines Register Publisher Hollingsworth and Editor Green have helped thousands of Iowans to econimize during prolonged recovery from Bush economy.
Check out DMR Romney Endorsement on Facebook.

[cyberswede]

8. What do you mean?

Your post isn't very clear. I'm in Iowa, by the way