So Dan Rather, on Morning Joe, just called out the candidates for mudslinging...

[WCGreen]

Said it really didn't matter who started it, the country needs leadership now...

Well, Dan, it is important who started it. But this isn’t about that. What perhaps is of more importance to the American public is who covers this crap. Who elevates every scurrilous charge made by a candidate or surrogate to the OMG level with each passing news cycle? Your "brethren" in the media, is who. Which isn't in and of it self all that bad, but then you, meaning your profession, then just let what ever is said, no matter how ridiculous the charge, stand there, unchallenged, as if because you repeat it you are therefore absolved of any potential charge of bias. What are you afraid of?

Don't look so surprised Dan, after all, the media is the referee in this mud rasslin' death match to the finish. They, or rather you, could, you know, stand aloof and cover only the issues. But, you say, that is not your job. (Which, BTW Dan, all candidates who care enough about this country have spelled out in great detail, by now, one would hope, on their respective websites exactly where they stand on the issues of the day. And Dan, if you don't know where John McCain or Barack Obama stand on any given issue, well, learn how to surf the net.)

So the question is placed down; Dan, what precisely is your job? To act as a conduit for all things Great and Small, that you and your brethren should always take a hear no evil; see no evil speak no evil approach? Well, we see where that has gotten us now haven't we.

And so here is the conundrum, so to speak. Fox covers something and the guys over at CNN then have to put their spin on it which caused MSNBC to erupt with their take on the mud flying. Then the mightily "anchors" on the networks chime in and splay all things out to the public in equal doses of the same bland coverage, devoid of any real "judgment", heaven forbid, behind what is presented. Is that really what you all went to journalism school for? Oh yea, I forgot, we are talking TV news so it only matters how you are perceived and not where you studied or what you know. In the end, is it really that difficult to do your job in this day of instantaneous information?

And don't get me started on the poll watching. That is the broadcast media's fall back coverage, the horse race. I admit to watching the polls with the same enthusiasm I had as a child who discovers the sport page for the first time and so forever after rushes to the front door to grab the morning news, tears open that paper to see what his beloved Indians did on the west coast last night (I'm showing my age. Once upon a time there was no ESPN or, for that matter, internet. Quaint.)

There is some room for hope. The truth squads first appeared in the newspapers as long ago as the 1970's. They dissected TV ads. Your guys in the Cable news business seem to have just discovered this neat little trick. What, 30-40 years after the fact.

Underlying all of this is the myth that a grand political discourse in the vein of the Lincoln Douglas debates lies just beneath the surface and will someday gush forth from the well spring of American greatness.

As if.

But it usually takes just one person, one brave individual to put that "spin" on the day. Remember old Joe McCarthy back in the 50's? Well, it took one brave news team with a real love for their country to stand up to him. And then one noble, heroic individual to finally rise up for America and say after all, have you no decency?

Where is our Joseph Nye Welch?

But perhaps the most important question is where is our Edward R. Murrow?

Right now, I think the American people would settle for Joe Dimaggio.

Back to you Dan...

[ShortnFiery]

1. I usually like Dan Rather, but even he was duped to revere The Chimperor after 9/11.

The M$M is disgusting because it's "the suits" within the Investor Classes who covertly PUSH for either Grampy or Winky-Dink to be President. Only a GOP Executive Branch would sate their GREED to consolidate into one big American Fascist "Ministry of Truth." :thumbsdown:

[Cosmocat]

2. This pisses me off to no end ...

1) Part and parcel of the media carrying water for the right wing - if McCain was running as high road of a campaign as BO, and BO was the one throwing the crape around BO ALONE would own it with these jackoffs, and it would be called desperate and dishonorable, which it is.

2) In the late summer, when McCain was doing all those retarded Paris Hilton ads and all, all we heard from the media was how weak BO was for not responding - this is how they do with with BO, he gets it either way.

[Fridays Child]

3. Not only is it important who started it but the Keating Five scandal isn't mud.

It's documented, verifiable evidence of a grave ethical lapse, and a whole series of unsound decisions, made by John McCain.

[WCGreen]

5. Yes it is....

But we have to ask the media and question them on their job performance...

[seabeyond]

4. he ought to remember repercussion of 2004 mudslinging by repug that kerry and he had to

deal with.

cost him his job

so i think it does matter

[JaneQPublic]

6. Kerry tried taking the high road and ignoring scathing personal attacks.

Fat lot of good it did him.

Did anyone ask Mr. Rather about that?

And did anyone ask him about the fact that, despite everyone saying they hate negative campaigning, it does seem to work?

Overall, Obama has done a masterful job of maintaining a positive campaign while also presenting himself as presidential.

But by no means should he let McSame's scurrilous attacks go unanswered.

As Obama said yesterday, he won't throw the first punch, but he will throw the last one.

[WCGreen]

7. Well stated....

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Could it be ...

That the good Dan Rather is just tired and afraid to stick his neck out?

Being brave might just be more than he can handle now.

[WCGreen]

9. More likely he is defending his profession....

[Ikonoklast]

10. I *could* go there, but....

...shoot, I'll go there anyway.




Which profession is that, exactly?

[WCGreen]

11. I think I would like to interview the one on the left....