Why can't the media report anymore? Everything is spun!

[sjdnb]

The single quote gimmick ....

It's getting to when I see single quotes or a quote out of context in a new article or post, I just assume it's spin attempting to generate some buzz/contention between parties/people/etc.

For example, ABC's "John Edwards: Obama 'Living in Never-Never Land'?"

From the article:

Friday morning at a forum for undecided voters in Independence, Iowa, Edwards repeated his implicit (NOT EXACTLY) criticism of Obama, saying any candidate who thinks he or she can invite corporate America to the table and achieve real results for Americans "is living in never-never land."

So he believes Barack Obama lives in never-never land? (Implied by the journalist)

"If he believes that, yes," Edwards said. "It's a little hard for me to tell sometimes based on the way he talks about this. I've heard him say he would give stakeholders a seat at the table. I assume he's talking about oil companies, drug companies and insurance companies."

Further, the article states:

Asked during the interview if he thought Obama or Clinton would be better at bringing about change were he not in the race, Edwards indicated his preference was Obama.

"One of them believes change is necessary and the system doesn't work, and the other defends the system," he said.

So, a general comment was directed at another candidate by the journalist, not the candidate - and, in response, Edwards responded that IF the other candidate believed the premise, that, yes, that candidate would fall under the statement and that he thought he MIGHT.

Why can't the media just leave the original message intact and assume we are intelligent enough to interpret its meaning instead of trying to get everyone into a 'fist fight'?