Self fullfilling prophecy? Do people take pundits seriously?

[terrya]

In today's Chicago Tribune, there were a couple of articles essentially saying that Bush is a shoo-in for another 4 years. Howard Dean was singled out for particular criticism. Because he's angry and very defensive and doesn't present an optomistic message.

I've been reading quite a few articles like those...the same message. The Democrats have no chance whatsoever. Bush is a lock...because of incumbancy, the unwillingness to change leadership during a war.

Once again, I'm worried...because this "give it up, Dems" message seems to be gaining currency in the media.

Am I being a worry wart in thinking that this argument may sway those undecided voters? How do we counter it?

[Maple]

1. Or you could look at

http://www.drudgereport.com tonite.

Dubya is melba.

[KoKo]

2. Maple, your link led me to "Ancestry.com." Is this what you wanted?

:shrug:

[papau]

3. "Ancestry.com." is the advertiser at the top of the page on Drudge

it also pop-ups

another reason to not visit Drudge.

[salinen]

4. this is only the beginning

of that sort of language. with $200,000,000 to spend this election cycle, the pukes will launch a hate and lie campaign the likes of which will be unpresidented. and it works. inferior minds want to be part of the good guy club. liberals depicted as "bad" is commonplace now. independants will move toward bushco.

[Jacobin]

5. Chicago Trib is Pravda

It's pure RW propaganda from beginning to end.

[Kanary]

6. Yup, self-fulfilling prophecy

Look at all the "He's not electable" here.

Kanary

[Silverhair]

7. Yawn. I have often known pundits to be wrong. n/t

[prolesunited]

8. Classic propaganda technique

Bandwagon and Inevitable Victory.
Bandwagon-and-inevitable-victory appeals attempt to persuade the target audience to take a course of action "everyone else is taking." "Join the crowd." This technique reinforces people's natural desire to be on the winning side. This technique is used to convince the audience that a program is an expression of an irresistible mass movement and that it is in their interest to join. "Inevitable victory" invites those not already on the bandwagon to join those already on the road to certain victory. Those already, or partially, on the bandwagon are reassured that staying aboard is the best course of action.

This is an excellent page that outlines all of the techniques. It really is useful when it comes to dissecting the news or RW pundits.
http://www.mapinc.org/propaganda/propaganda/proptech.htm#bandwagon