My theory on why the MSM is pushing the 2008 primary race so hard

[OzarkDem]

Distract and divide.

Now that Dems have a majority in Congress, what better way to derail their efforts than to wind up the media Wurlitzer to focus on 2008 as a way of distracting and dividing grassroots Dems as well as distracting Dem leaders in Congress who fancy themselves as 2008 candidates? Isn't it easier to sidetrack Dems work in Congress on Iraq, the domestic agenda and any GOP investigations if its members can simply be painted as "grandstanding for the 2008 election"?

Doesn't it better serve the GOP's purposes to have Dems fighting each other over 2008 candidates than being united to advance the Dem agenda in Congress? Doesn't it make it harder for Dems to get their message out in the media on their policy agenda when everyone is being sidetracked by 2008 horse races?

Please, let's focus on what's important right now.

[acmavm]

1. Yeah, they're trying to keep us busy arguing by pushing the

two least likely dems to win the nomination.

[TayTay]

2. It's also the silly season

The Repubs are out. They have lost the Congress and are in real disarray. The Dems will not take power until January. When they do take power, they will begin some really interesting oversight hearings.

This is in the in-between season. TV and punditry hates a vacuum, so we get all this stuff on '08 and the horserace. IT should change a bit after Jan 3rd.

[OzarkDem]

4. Looking forward to it

I'm hoping our Dem leaders are coming out with a media strategy that will make them cover the Dems in Congress. Recall how Dems could never get the media ho's to even cover their press conferences?

Dems have been under a virtual media blackout from the time Bush was elected. I hope Pelosi brings them to heel.

[HereSince1628]

3. My theory based on experience with poker...

Losers ALWAYS want the table to shut up and for the dealer to deal another hand.

[OzarkDem]

5. Very good analogy n/t

[KoKo]

12. True...but we've been told since before Mid-Term Elections '02 that

the Dems were playing Poker or "giving the Repugs enough rope to hang themselves," or "Keeping their powder dry."

It's now time for "Put up ...or GO DOWN" and we work to find someone else rather than be in a wildnerness for years waiting for "games, rope or ignighted powder" to save us.

[mod mom]

6. I believe both the RNC and DLC (not Dean's DNC) want to get their slimey

paws on controlling who is running and eliminating the others. (Think of Paul Hackett and Sherrod Brown in Ohio) I say let the people decide!

[OzarkDem]

9. Are you saying

That the DLC backed Hackett early to eliminate competition? I'm not sure I understand.

Brown is definitely not DLC - they don't agree with any of his policies.

[mod mom]

15. It was actually Rahm (Anti-Dean) Emmanuel who pushed Hackett out. My

point is no party leader should prevent options but let voters decide in a real primary and that party leaders want to chose for themselves.

[FrenchieCat]

7. My theory has a twist.....

As we all know, Democratic politicians are currently deciding whether they will "go for it" or not. Most will let us know by early next year. Potentials are therefore making their decisions as we speak with Exploration committees, ect. Sooooo, the media in an effort to "control" how the line up might look are promoting Hillary, Obama, and to a lesser extent, Edwards. The media recognizes that Vilsak, Biden, and Bayh logically would round out the field as the 2nd tier. That's who the media powers that be want to be in the line up regardless of anyone else courageous enough to jump in.....

Someone like a John Kerry or a Wes Clark are being subliminaly discouraged via ignores, bad press, discouraging poll numbers, and the lack of free publicity that those being pushed receive.

However, I have great doubts that Obama and/or Hillary will be reported on positively by the press all the way until January 2008. They won't.

So I believe that once the field has been more or less shaped and selected, the media will turn; in otherwords, they'll start to tear down those they have built up, and build up those they have ignored......or a combination of things. Those who didn't "get in" on the ground floor will have missed the opportunity, because what was will not necessarily be the same, say in.......September of 2007.

So IMO, it is the media's need to be involved in getting the initial players up there that is their main obsession.......as well as the fact that this also helps in distracting from the people's business....but that doesn't really start in earnest till January, which is why my theory tests well.

[JNelson6563]

14. Adding to your theory

I think, in addition to what you said, I also believe there's the whole aspect of setting up certain gods in order to help kick the chair out from under them later.

Really, I feel sorry for those being dubbed "frontrunners" at this point. As one who has moderate hope Gore will get in, I'm glad actually to be just hoping. I'd like him to wait till the "frontrunners" are getting their suprise hanging from Pravda and others ( who seemed so encouraging before!) and then step in. If I were you I'd be hoping the same thing too about Clark. If I were a Clarkie I'd be glad he's not on their radar. The only thing they're looking for now is future victims IMO.

Just my .0125

Julie

[FrenchieCat]

16. Agree......it's a pretty obvious but irresistable set-up.....shell game, sorta speak

Unfortunately, it may be Bayh who comes in and pick up the pieces.....considering the fact that the media is much more powerful than we give them credit...even when they appear as obvious as they do, the shit still works...

But yes, the media will kick the chairs from underneath them as soon as the time is right (your imagery is superb on this one), cause like I said, once positioned where they want them, no way they continue with the positive coverage on those they do the love yells for now....not for an entire year and a half. No way!

[wyldwolf]

8. It took SIX posts for someone to blame the DLC. You folks are getting slow!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. the Clintons and the DLC are powerful

such arguements are not without merit, although in this case I feel it is simply media fed frenzy.
The Dean wars provided such entertainment last time they obviously can't wait.

[WCGreen]

11. LOL!!!!!!

[OzarkDem]

13. Relax, the DLC isn't that influential

They can stir up a few skirmishes within the party, but they don't have much influence with the MSM.