Media Attacks the Not Yet Seated Democratic Congress

[Demeter]

OpEdNews.com

Original Content at http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_steven_l_061124_election_2006_afterm.htm


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November 24, 2006

Election 2006 Aftermath – Media Attacks the Not Yet Seated Democratic Congress

By Steven Leser

An interesting pattern is emerging regarding the attitude of the Press toward the incoming Democratic majority in Congress. From the St. Petersburg Times who today wrote an article titled "Power outage on energy policy" which criticized what it calls Democrats' first 'action on the energy front', to a recent article in the New York Times, "Democrats Split on How Far to Go With Ethics Law" which criticizes the mere debate in Democratic circles about what steps to take to force a higher congressional ethical standard, the press is putting immense pressure on Democrats over a month before the new legislative session begins and the people who were just elected even take office.

Perhaps the phrase "putting immense pressure on" is a little too nice. The media seems to be taking over where Republican Party campaigning left off. Where the media isn't attacking the incoming congress, they are promoting the idea that there is disunity among the Democratic Caucus or that Democrats may ignore the voters wishes as stated by exit polling on November 7th. Consider the following articles (you can find more of your own if you go to Google News and simply enter the search term "Democrats", yes; finding negative articles on Democrats these days is THAT easy)

- Democrats' plan to negotiate drug prices is misguided: Fort Wayne News Sentinel

- Democrats clash on immigration policy: Boston Globe

- LOCAL COMMENT: Don't buy the myth that Democrats are not party of rich – The Detroit Free Press

- Democrats must heed mandate: Sun-Sentinel.com, FL

- "Bankrupt" by David Limbaugh: Understanding the Democrats: renewamerica.us

- Democrats aren't ready for prime time: Daily Mail - Charleston, WV

Considered in their totality, I think these articles constitute an unprecedented coordinated attack on an incoming government. In past years, the discussion centered around how many weeks and months a new congress or new President would have for their honeymoon ONCE THEY TOOK OFFICE. These criticisms of the Democratic Congress before their legislative session even begins are partisan journalism at its worst.

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Author's Bio: Steven Leser specializes in Politics, Science & Health, and Entertainment topics. He has held positions within the Democratic Party including District Chair and Public Relations Chair within county organizations. Mr. Leser broke the story of the Bush Impeachment Resolution being drafted in the Illinois General Assembly. The story was printed right here on OpEdNews.com

[louis-t]

1. I have the article from the Free Press in my briefcase.

I plan to write a strong letter to the idiot that wrote it.

[zanne]

2. So true.

It's as though they've forgotten that the Republicans are still in power. I think we can expect alot more of this in the two years ahead. I believe this IS the Republican Presidential Campaign.

[lapfog_1]

3. In addition, it's not an "incoming government"

it's simply a small majority (1 of questionable faith to democratic leadership) in the Senate, and a majority in the House. The administration is still that of the Shrubya and his henchmen/women. I think the press is setting things up so the American public, the ones that voted for change, will be disappointed with the Democrats.

[sallyseven]

4. I notice that chris matthews and norah o'donald must have

missed the civic classes in high school. They keep asking what are the democrats doing about this? Hey stupids. The republicans are still in power. The Democrats have not been sworn in yet. I cannot believe that this is not a concerted effort to make the democrats look bad. Most americans are not aware of the government and how it works or not. They believe all kinds of stuff. I hate republicans still more than ever and some media folks too,

[jwirr]

5. The Hunting of the Congress. This is why breaking up the

monopoly in the media should come at the top of their list of to dos. They should also make it illegal for a foriegner to own a major media source: Murdoch. Habeus Corpus and free press restored would go a long way toward fixing what is wrong.

[annabanana]

6. nominated. .. . . For those who refuse to acknowledge

the co-option of the media by the rightwing. It's not "all about the bottm line" folks.. The corpomedia is a loss-leader for the big armament sellers. It's fine with them if the networks and the mini-networks lose money year after year. What they are doing (besides spewing convenient untruths) is holding the space against competing viewpoints.

[depakid]

7. Expect much worse from the so called "journalists"

and their editors and corporate masters.