Comments on: Why does the media care more about Joe Wurzelbacher's record than Barack Obama's record?

By: Legolas

Legolas — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:47:46 +0000

@FAC Just because a study has the trappings of science doesn't make it a good study. It's not a matter of belief, it's a matter of methodology and author bias: The publishers of the Wall Street Journal treat the study with outright scorn Methodological flaws pointed out here Also here, along with the fact that the authors themselves have been conservative think tankers Various problems with the study discussed here and in various links, along with the authors' defense against one of the critiques

By: FAC

FAC — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:47:31 +0000

Reality is what it is. If you don’t want to believe a well documented scientific study about the matter is up to you. But not only that, from the link above:
“All of our findings refer strictly to news content; that is, we
exclude editorials, letters, and the like”
If you think Tina Fey media coverage isn’t political, you are wrong. Remember Chevy Chase and Gerald Ford.? You have to look at the big picture and beyond not only to the news and editorials, but to BET, Comedy Central, PBS, even Discovery Channel is biased to the left. Just check their programs about polar bears, climate change, or origen of the universe point of views. I think the only channels 100% pro McCain is TNT and alike, only couple houndred watched.

By: FAC

FAC — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 07:52:34 +0000

@ Legolas
Really?

By: Legolas

Legolas — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:33:06 +0000

@FAC
Reality has a well-known liberal bias. 😉

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:33:40 +0000

The intense media scrutiny happened before the Huckabee appearance. But I agree that McCain did make him a celeb via the debate. However, I maintain that the focus of the media has been to discount his questions and even allege an impossible scenario (McCain planted him) because of the dirt they found.
When Obama is revealed as an ineffective state legislator who was not aware people were freezing in his district, was taking money from his fund raiser while that fundraiser was being sued for failure to heat his buildings and then supports his fundraiser after that, he is considered by the fawning press as a change agent.
The reactions are not proportional to the person (Joe vs Barack) nor to the office they seek (a livelihood vs the Presidency).

By: Warren

Warren — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:26:58 +0000

Zoe Brain – He was not ruthless enough to withstand it as a Chicago politician. I am posting this morning on his unwillingness to confront the evil of neglect in his own district while a state Senator. He could not even take on his own fund raisers and allies.
Lynn David – As you may know from reading here, I get focused on a topic for a while and ride it hard (NARTH, Cohen, Mankind Project, etc). Such is the case here. I have an honest curiosity and astonishment that the mainstream press have given Obama such a pass. The number of articles about Sarah Palin’s baby (family matter) outpace the number of articles about Obama’s record on housing (absolutely essential vetting). For one who considers an Obama presidency to be worrisome, the unwillingness of the press to do their job is indeed frustrating.

By: FAC

FAC — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:05:39 +0000

Here is the link in html format:
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/polisci/faculty/groseclose/Media.Bias.8.htm
and if you preffer it in pdf:
http://www.polsci.ucsb.edu/faculty/glasgow/mediabias.pdf
The media took very seriuosly Sarah Palin affairs in Alaska. They send an army of “reporters” to dig in the frozen ice. However, the exposure of Obama-Ayers links are un-existent or very scarce. Or questions about who was the ghost writer behind his book. Go here to find information and genuine questions the media never discuss:
http://www.cashill.com/

By: FAC

FAC — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:32:16 +0000

Why does the media care more about Joe W’s record than Obama’s?
Do a google search on:
“A Measure of Media Bias”
Tim Groseclose
Department of Political Science, UCLA, and
Graduate School of Business, Stanford University
and
Jeff Milyo
Harris School of Public Policy
University of Chicago
September 2003
There is the explanation for that different media exposure and oppinions.

By: Evan

Evan — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:55:43 +0000

Why does the media care more about Joe W’s record than Obama’s?
I think that is because a big part of the media is composed of people with an elitist mindset who think they know better what’s best for your country (it happens everywhere there are free media). Obama’s record has already been debated for more than one year. Those who support him tend to consider his small record to go together well with his “transformational figure” pedestal. His opponents tend to see that as a foreboding of a shadowy figure who created his status based on talk, a very intelligent type at that.
The truth is that if Obama got this far and managed to eliminate Clinton on his way to the final competition, then he earned most of this status.
It’s no longer interesting for the media to focus on the hackneyed theme of Obama’s record, whether it’s about its meagerness or its special significance. Most people have made their minds on this issue, and those who are undecided have been exposed to all the arguments enough to remain still undecided.
Joe the Plumber is interesting for the media because he’s exploitable: some say he is genuine, others that there are some inconsistencies in his story — so much to talk about especially when one candidate’s arguments, McCain’s, rely on how credible this story is.

By: Lynn David

Lynn David — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:57:51 +0000

You seem to be upset, Warren, over that which you have no control.
Or you seem to be upset over something which you would like to exist, but does not so appear to exist.
Either way this is bordering on obsessive/compulsive behavior on your (our) part.
Isn’t politics wonderful?!
The real moral is John McCain should choose his debate points more carefully – 21 times, “Joe the plumber;” and then further use of “Joe the plumber” after the debate. McCain was as uncareful about choosing his “Joe the plumber” talking point/example as he was about choosing his vice-presidential running mate. Such a lack of insight by McCain is one reason why Colin Powell chose to back a more studious candidate, Barack Obama.