I Said It Before - Due to Big Media This Will Be McCain's Election To Lose Unless...

[Median Democrat]

I have posted before about how the liberal bias myth is not only false, but Big Media actively supports the GOP:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Median%20Democrat

Many of you know this site, but Media Matters does a great job of tracking the pervasive right wing bias in the media:

http://mediamatters.org/index

The most recent example is the consistent refusal of the media to cover the issues or to force the McCain to explain what differences in policy or proposal does it plan to implment as a change from Bush? The Democrats have done their part in staying on message and noting McCain's 90% presidential support record. However, unlike GOP talking points, Big Media simply ignores the facts offered by the Democrats. The Democrats are on message, but Big Media simply chooses to ignore the message. They could press the McCain campaign with McCain's voting record, and ask what he would do differently, but they do not do so.

Indeed, the McCain campaign has been pretty upfront that they are not going to discuss the issues, AND Big Media simply complies with this request. The McCain campaign also refuses to make Palin available for any interviews, and Big Media continues to deify her, rather than pointing out that this is an affront to the American public. Most of the coverage is still focused on "narratives," "personalities" and "biographies," rather than issues. As a result, the McCain campaign has almost gotten cocky in its dealings with the media. She will come out when it helps us, not the media? What about the American people? The arrogance of the McCain campaign is unbelievable, yet the only candidate who is criticized for being arrogant is Obama.

Is this a surprise? Since the primaries, I have said that regardless of the current polls, the Democrats are the underdogs, because Big Media is filled with people who cover politics the way the GOP wants it to be covered, based on issues like patriotism and clever political attacks, with deference to the GOP. For example, when Hillary noted sexism, the media called her a whiner. Yet, when the McCain campaign raises sexism with every other sentence, the media falls in line.

Can the Democrats fight fire with fire? NO! Why? Because negative attacks increase overall cynisim regarding the government, and it depresses voter turnout. The Democrats need voter turnout. The goal of the GOP is to disguest the electorate with shrill attacks on the character of candidates. The goal is to get people to stay home, and the GOP is very successful, because over 40% of people simply do not vote.

Our only hope to preserve our Democracy is to both give AND to volunteer, particularly in efforts to register voters. Big Media is going to continue to deify Palin, and not give any backlash to the GOP, because they have the coverage of the repeated charges of "liberal bias." The question is whether Big Media, and fluctuations in the polls, will depress Democrats such that they give up, and fail to fight. As I noted, corporate control of Big Media is more concentrated than ever before. This may represent our last best chance of winning the election with a broad grassroots movement, rather than simply selling out to the Corporations.

[truedelphi]

1. There was a reason why the Phillipino militants

Seized the Radio and TV stations FIRST - in their attempts to get rid of the Marcos reign in that country.

Our media is really appalling.

When the Republicans say that the moon is made out of green cheese, the media starts to say (no questions asked) "Why didn't the Democrats realize this? Are they too stupid not to know?"

And then the Democrats shuffle around, going, "Gee how do we answer that without seeming like we are beating up on the Republicans' intelligence?? What to do. Oh me oh my, WHAT TO DO!!"

[Median Democrat]

3. The Democrats Are On Message - McCain Is TheSame As Bush, But Big Media Itself Lies

Remember George Stephenapolous during the RNC convention? What did he say? "McCain made a clean-break with Bush." What? How so? Their positions are exactly the same! It is a complete fraud by the media. Also, in terms of heralding Palin as a star, what has Palin did on the campaign besides deliver a speech? Nothing. Yet, suddenly she is a star, and Big Media continues to portray her as such even as she ducks interviews and townhalls.

[the Sundance Kid]

2. and you were wrong when you said it

but today is a day for the naysayers to flail,
so flail away!

[Median Democrat]

4. What? You believe the liberal media charges by the McCain camp? Amazing

This is why we have such a tough road. Because even DUers believe in the myth of a liberal media. There are only five corporations that control the majority of media. Why would these corporations support the Democrats who might actually reign in the growth of Big Media? How is it in the economic interest of Big Media to be liberal?

[the Sundance Kid]

5. this is not McCain's election to lose. that is false.

[stillcool]

16. How so?

If John McCain has the power to interfere in an investigation being done in the state of Alaska, to force MSNBC to change their anchor spots, to lie repeatedly without any consequences, to shield a Vice Presidential candidate from questioning, I'd say this election is his to lose..and the only way he loses is if 'we the people' win.

[CJCRANE]

6. I think you're right

McCain does have the advantage. The MSM occasionally reminds us that Bush has a 30% approval rating BUT if the media were really representative then 70% of their coverage of Bush should be negative and most of that should be very harsh (as Bush's STRONGLY disapprove rating is 50% or more).

The MSM does not represent reality.

[Median Democrat]

7. That Is Why Its Ignorant To Blame Democrats For Not Running A Rove-Type Campaign

We are not Republicans. We cannot win by encouraging the American people to be cynical and fearful. We cannot count on Big Media backing off whenever we accuse them of bias, as the GOP habitually does. Whenever the polls tighten, there is always someone who uses it as an opportunity to extoll the virtues of negative campaigning, and suggest that the Obama campaign should simply adopt a Republican playbook.

Well, the Republican playbook only works for Republicans. If Democrats validate a character attack war, it will depress voter turnout as voters become disgusted with the process. That is the goal. Republican can gleefully lie, because THEY ARE TRYING TO DEPRESS PEOPLE. THEY ARE TRYING TO SCARE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC. If people do not vote, the Republicans win.

Yet, we have all these wannable Roves on DU who say we should stop focusing on the issues, and just attack Palin and McCain's character. Well, here's a big news flash, but Republicans are immune to charges of hypocrisy, because they are happy to turn people off of politics. That is why they encourage these highly partisan attacks. If we stray from the issues, and start engaging in this partisam battle, then we justify the cynicism that the GOP is trying to encourage.

The GOP's mantra is that government does not work, and they do their best to prove it. On the other hand, the Democrats are trying to show that government can be a positive agent of change, and this means showing that we have solutions. The GOP, on the other hand, can use their lack of solutions to prove their point that government is part of the problem.

[okieinpain]

8. I believe it's obama's to lose, but he's got to run a great

campaign. he can afford a few gaffes here and there, but he's got to be on point the majority of the time. picking hillary would have been a great start, but oh well.

[Median Democrat]

9. Sorry, Big Media Did Not LIke Hillary Either

Hillary herself complained about Big Media during a debate, and I recall that Big Media then went after her for whining. In contrast, do you see Big Media calling the GOP for what they are, whiners? Big Media treats Republicans different from Democrats, and I doubt that Hillary supporters would agree with your assumption that Hillary was a darling of the media. Even Obama noted that McCain is portrayed as a maverick when he votes against the GOP while Hillary is generally portrayed as calculating. Hillary is as big a victim of media bias as any Democrat.

[okieinpain]

10. that's true, but I think she would have helped with some of these

blue dog dems. but biden is a great choice, I just think hil would have been a easier choice.

[Frumious B]

11. My honest assesment is that they want Obama to win, but want to keep it as close as possible.

Normally I would tend to agree with the original poster because, broadly speaking, big corporations prefer to operate with as little government "interference" as possible which would lead them to subtly favor the Republicans. However, If the US tanks and there is a global recession, depression or, heaven forbid, a global war then that hurts them in the wallet. Their profits fall and inflation eats away at their coffers. A rising tide might "lift all boats", but a falling tide beaches them all. I also think that the corporate conservative types are much more socially liberal and are increasingly frustrated with the snake handler types who have been dominating the discourse on the Republican side. How are you supposed to sell Harry Potter books and merchandise, for example, if there's a President Palin who wants to ban Harry Potter? It's one thing to use that stuff as a wedge just to gin up votes. It's quite another thing to have someone in power who is crazy enough to follow through with it. I also think that they want to be free of the expense of funding employee health benefits and wouldn't mind the government taking a role at this point. I really think that they are willing to make the trade off of a little "big government liberalism" now to forestall the looming crisis and to give them a chance to clean up and realign the Republican Party along more libertarian lines. I would expect coverage that seeks to prevent either candidate from gaining a decisive edge to keep the ratings strong until near the end and then, maybe, if he needs it they might try to nudge Obama over the finish line.

[Median Democrat]

12. Disagree - Big Media's Economic Incentives Favor The GOP

Specifically, you note that a high tide lifts all boats. However, Big Media is controlled by just five large corporations. While they generally benefit from a good economy, they directly benefit from a GOP administration that does not oppose their efforts to expand and acquire media properties such as News Corp's recent acquisition of the Wall Street Journal. Obama is on record as opposing the further growth of big media.

Also, as the ABC memo noted in my journal establishes, Big Media's sponsors also have a direct impact on media bias. The memo in questions shows how advertisers directed ABC not to run ads on the Air America radio show, which caused Air America to have serious funding problems at its inception.

The GOP uses the Evangelical Right. David Kuo wrote a devestating book on how the GOP essentially manipulates the Christian Right for political purposes, and is willing to vote with them on moral issues, however, it will also disregard the Christian Right on issues involving economic policy. Thus, in answer to your Harry Potter hypo, the GOP might pay lip service to moral issues raised by the Christian Right, but it will ultimately follow its true master major corporations.

As the lending debacle shows, the people who run corporations are not interested in the overall health of the economy. Rather, they are just trying to maximize profits on a quarter by quarter basis. Thus, they aren't looking from at a high tide lifts all boats perspective.

Finally, look at the facts. In 2004, Sinclair Broadcasting threatened to show an anti-Kerry documentary a few weeks before the election. In 2006, ABC showed a 9/11 docudrama that blamed 9/11 on the Clintons. The Democrats have not received a similar type of in-kind assist from Big Media.

[Median Democrat]

13. Adding - Keith Olberman Is No Longer An Anchor - NBC Parent Pulls Him

Even though Keith Olbermann generates the highest ratings for MSNBC, he has been pulled as an anchor for NBC's debate coverage. I guess it can be rationalized as so many other quirks with the media. Yet, I think the bottom line is that Big Media will steadily shift against Obama from this point forward.

[akangel2008]

14. Obama will win hands down regardless; people are not stupid.

The media doesn't control my vote.

[okieinpain]

15. yeah people are stupid. sorry but it's true.