Will Democrats Be Conned Into Blaming Their Candidate Again?

[Median Democrat]

Will Democrats Be Conned Into Blaming Their Candidate Again?

There is no magical media strategy that is going to win, because such a strategy requires the cooperation of the media, and Big Media is biased and serious investigative journalism is largely a thing of the past. Instead, we have a situation where the media and the GOP collaborate in presenting news that fits into a pre-chosen narrative. Any issues that do not fit within the chosen narrative are ignored. Big Media’s pervasive control over the election process is largely hidden through the repeated spread of two myths:

1. That the media has a liberal bias – This defuses charges of corporate influence and control, and failure to hold Republicans accountable, and it defuses the impact of those stories that are critical of Republicans.
2. That the Democrats do not fight back – This is used to obscure and hide Big Media’s failure to air Democratic responses to Republican smears.

Regardless of the candidate or the year, these myths are always repeated and spread even though the Iraq war and the Libby trial should have clearly smashed these stereotypes by disclosing the degree to which the media is complicit in GOP propaganda efforts.

Here is a story in the LA Times that unwittingly discloses the Big Media “narrative” method of controlling what people see and here, and thus what they think:

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-onthemedia10-2008aug10,0,6358267.story?track=rss

/snip

I'm glad the locals get their shot. They offer a less cynical view that the public might otherwise not receive and focus on issues closer to home. And I'm relieved knowing that the time will come for the national media, which are best positioned to watch the candidates evolve, to demand they explain changes in position and to help set the agenda for the day.

"It's important to have this cynical, hard-nosed group of national reporters to put those who want to be president to the test," said Joe Lockhart, a onetime spokesman for President Clinton and a media advisor to other Democrats. "But in Peoria and Albuquerque, reporters have an obligation to report on what the candidate said and to do it that day. That's good too."

/snip

The question for us is whether Americans will ever really see the light and act, or will we simply blame the candidate of the moment for our failure to see through the web of lies spun by the GOP and Big Media? The new opiate of the masses is Big Media, which has created this mythology of liberal bias and Democrats failing to fight back to hide their active efforts to control and influence elections. I think that 2008 may be our last best chance to shake off this induced delirium and assert our voice, and demand accountability. However, this will not happen until we stop blaming our candidates, and taking responsibility for each of our individual roles in allowing this charade to proceed.

1. Have you contributed?
2. Have you volunteered?
3. Have you convinced the 4 out of 10 people you likely know who will not vote to vote, and to vote for Barack Obama?

If each of us continues to sit back, and hope for some magical candidate to win it for us, we will fail, because we are not invested in the outcome of the election. Our only chance for change is if we take ownership in the election result, and individually work to secure the result we want.

[cliffordu]

1. They already are if you read some of the idiotic concern troll posts here this morning.

[Median Democrat]

4. The Myth Spreading Started Way Back In The Primaries

With Hillary, it was Hillary's campaign is so bad, that she can't smack down and beat an upstart. With Obama, it was why can't he put Hillary away, he lack's killer instinct.

This myth is most obviously spread by the Right Wing (Rove crowing that Palin is in Obama's head), and by right wingers pretending to be Democrats, but sadly many liberals buy into this myth, as well.

The goal and danger of the "blaming the candidate" situation is that it is used to depress grass roots support. It absolves individual Democrats of responsibility for the loss of their candidate, because it is the candidates' fault, not your fault as a participant in the electoral process.

This is a democracy, and we bear the responsibility for the outcome and policies of our government. However, by spreading the mythology that it is the candidate's fault, and the candidate's alone, we become alienated from the political process, and we are induced into inaction by waiting for some magical candidate who will cause even Right Wing networks like Fox News to swoon.

[Boz]

2. If we lose its because WE lost.

If your reading this , STOP, pick up the phone and call the local Obama office and DO SOMETHING

[Labors of Hercules]

3. Not to disagree, but...

Obama's ads thus far, even the "hard-hitting" ones, have NOT been outside the box enough to garner much interest. That needs to change.

[Median Democrat]

5. Are You Saying That Some Magical Ad Will Do The Trick? Remember the Infidelity Ad?

Obama's ads don't get near the free airplay that McCain's ads receive on Fox News. Some people point to 527s, but again this ignores Big Media bias. A few months ago, a 527 group did publish an ad that very clearly attacked McCain's past of infidelity. Hard hitting enough?

However, aside from some mention on a few political blogs, this ad was not repeated or discussed on the MSM even in the context of John Edward's affair. The Big Media narrative was to focus on how John Edward's affair reflected on the Democrats with frequent references to Bill Clinton, but VERY little mention of John McCain's past.

Ads are subjective, and in making the argument that Big Media is not covering Obama's ads because they are not catchy enough, again just blames the candidate, and absolves Big Media of responsibility. Take a look in Political Videos, and I disagree that Obama's ads are not hard hitting. I think we can agree that they are not examined or replayed as much as McCain's ads. Its just that you appear to be attributing this to the quality of the ad, rather than bias.

Big Media could easily do a series of reports on how do the candidate's economic policies differ from George Bush's in order to put the whole change debate to bed. This would be an easy factual series of reports that is directly relevant to the election. However, no such narrative has emerged despite the fact that the economy is a standard part of Obama's stump speech.

Stop Giving McCain and Big Media a free pass.

[Dr Fate]

22. Why cant a DEM pundit or politician demand, on air, that their ads be given equal time?

Why cant a DEM pundit say:

"You just showed a GOP ad for free in your last segment, Wolf- now it's time for you to be balanced and show a DEM ad. Statisitics show that you show twicve as many free ads for the GOP than you do fot the DEMS. I'm here to help you correct that problem. You dont have a DEM ad to show handy? No problem- I have the DVD right here (pulls DVD out of coat pocket)- can you show it after the break? No? How convienent..."

(Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat scenario)

I know, I know- we cant do that. It's better just to talk about media bias on obscure websites, or to use it as an excuse.

[Doremus]

6. That the Democrats do not fight back – This is used to obscure and hide Big Media’s failure to air

Democratic responses to Republican smears.


Bears repeating .... often.

[Median Democrat]

7. Most Recent Example - The GOP Smear On Flags At The DNC Convention

Fox News aired the GOP's allegations for an entire day, but as noted on media matters, did not air the Democratic response until the next day. The average observer my say that the Democrats are not fighting back, again. The real reason as noted by mediamatters is that Big Media was sitting on the Democratic response.

The myth allows Big Media to cover-up its bias.

[Dr Fate]

13. And what was the Democrat's response to that- not text- but sound bites on TV shows?

Now give us an example of several top Democrats going on all the TV shows and pointing this out like you just did.

Not text issued in a "release" that waits for the journalist to show it- but in front of cameras.

And dont say they "dont have access tot hose shows" when I see DEM pundits & politicians on TV all day long.

If you cant do it, I see 2 problems, not one.

[Dr Fate]

12. Show us some examples of Democrats calling out the Big Media's failure to air...

Dont show me text on a blog- and dont show me a "release" in the form of text-show me a top DEM on a TV show saying it to the cameras.

If you cant show me at least 2 or 3 recent examples of this (much less 100s of examples fromthe past 8 years)- then I see 2 problems, not one.

I agree with everyone here that the media is biased- my problem is I have yet to see DEMS go on TV and make that case to the public in order to neutralize some of that bias...

Example: "The same media that told you over and over again that Bush was right about WMDs now wants to tell you that McCain in right about issue X..."

You cant find television footage (not text on blogs- but TELEVISION footage) that is even close to that, can you?

If the media is biased againt DEMS (and they are)-then its high time we say so. ON TV.

[Median Democrat]

14. Obama Himself Last Weekend, Paul Begala During RNC Convention...

It is being pointed out, but do you really want to get drawn into a GOP trap of discussing media coverage, rather than economy? Remember, distractions favor the GOP. The GOP/Big Media would love for the Democrats to get into a hissy fit about media coverage 24/7, because this is less time to note the economy.

[Dr Fate]

18. Fine- we dont discuss media bias then. We just blame them on message boards after we lose.

Media bias is the perfect excuse in that sense. You cant hold DEMS accountable for not fighting it or pointing it out because it would be a "trap"- but you can always blame your failures on it.

I'm not sure what Paul or Obama said about media bias- it couldnt have been anything too pointed or damaging- or you would be able to paraphrase the well crafted one liners from memory.

What exactly did Obama or Paul say about Pro-GOP media bias that was so pointed? Is it on YouTube? If its not, it must not have been that great or memorable...In any event, we should have been making that case for the past 8 years after it became apparent.

[Median Democrat]

21. Catch 22 - You Seem To Be Intent On Blaming "Them" The Democrats

In other words, as I read your post, you are saying that if Big Media is a problem, then the "Democrats" should be doing something about it, and complaining about it. Well, let me ask you, what if they are, but Big Media is not covering it. For example, what issue has Barack Obama been outspoken and active on in the Senate, but you never hear any talking head mention?

As I noted in this post, Obama is and has been an outspoken supporter of a diverse and independent media:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Median%20Democrat/33

So, you have letters, speeches, interviews, and legislation, yet no coverage of discussion of this issue? Big Media is more than happy to spread and repeat stories on "liberal media" bias, but you blame the Democrats for not getting the story out in Big Media?

As for Paul Begala, his comments were during the RNC, and he said that the GOP's complaints about liberal media bias were a now standard effort by the GOP to get the media to back off AND he also said that all too often Big Media DOES back off, and stop holding the GOP accountable.

Listen to the CNN coverage immediately following Palin's speech on Wednesday of the RNC. Also, note that aside from Begala, the other CNN pundits AGREED that Big Media had a liberal media bias.

So, if you are relying on Big Media to cover corporate media bias, and blaming Democrats for not getting the story out in Big Media...Well, I don't know what to say. This is the con that I've been talking about. Its up to each of us to see through it, and get involved.

[Dr Fate]

24. You just linked me to more internet text. I want to see TV footage where we tackle media bias.

I'm not relying on big media to cover their own bias- I'm saying that DEMS should call it out, on TV, to their faces, every chance they get. Make them deny it-make the stronger examples of their bias conventional wisdom.

I see this as a better strategy than just talking it about it amongst ourselves on websites- or using it as the excuse de jure excuse after the fact.

I'm not intent on blaming DEMS 100% for loses due to media bias- but I will blame DEMS for failing to make a real effort to establish media bias as a fact...

If there is media bias but nothing is being done to counter it, then their are 2 problems, not one.

One or 2 lines from Paul or Obama is a great start-but I have yet to see this shocking, pointed footage- it must not be that great or effective...I'm not sure we can place the SOLE blame media bias if that is all we did to fight said bias in recent weeks or in the past 8 years...

Blaming the media for fighting us is like blaming the GOP for fighting us- you have to fight back.

[Median Democrat]

26. Okay, how about today, right now...

I am sure Youtube will be up later, but here is a description of a rally today, where Obama takes on media coverage:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7044732

Now, let me ask you this. In light of Obama's comments, do you seriously think that Big Media is now going to actually start covering the issues? Also, this is not the first time Obama has addressed these issues.

It seems that you are saying that Obama is not addressing the issues of Big Media, because you have not heard Big Media saying that Obama is addressing these issues.

Catch 22.

[Dr Fate]

29. Great start-but the media is not obligated to SHOW that footage.

Read my posts more closely- I suggest that we say it on the Cable TV shows, while the cameras are rolling- to their faces.

I dont want to take away from what he just said in his speech- but a speech does not always guarantee coverage. We agree that You Tube is the bnext best thing, though. Maybe it will get e-mailed around to some swing voters.

I've seen this for 8 years- DUers point to a "press release" or a speech and say "See, DEMS are fighting, but the media wont show it"

Then I respond- "...okay, then the DEMS need to go on TV shows and DEMAND to their faces that they show it, or at the least, ask them to their faces why they refused to show it...and do this again, again, and again..." This will establish a pattern of media bias-many viewers will start to notice.

I dont think we are arguing at cross purposes here- we both agree that media bias may be the #1 problem- I want to take it from the realm of excuses and actually do something about it...

Not fighting pro-GOP media bias is like not fighting the GOP itself- but no one would ever make excuses for not fighting the GOP- then again...

[Median Democrat]

30. Disagree - It Is A Losers Game To Rely On Big Media - Take Personal Responsibility

All your examples all rely on Big Media to fight Big Media bias. We just disagree. I think any change will depend on Democrats individually getting actively involved, rather than passively waiting for some miracle candidate to take on Big Media and keep them honest. I read your posts, and it just seems like another variation of the blame candidate to avoid our individual responsibility to participate in this election.

It is too easy to excuse our individual inaction by blaming the candidate of the moment for not pursuing some magical strategy that would lead to an easy win.

[Dr Fate]

32. Wrong. I'm not relying on media to point out bias. I'm relying on DEMS in front of cameras to do it.

" I think any change will depend on Democrats individually getting actively involved"

I agree. I have given a few examples on how top DEMS could go on cable TV shows and individually and actively point out, identify and fight media bias. It isnt all up to bloggers-we are already doing this...

"...rather than passively waiting for some miracle candidate to take on Big Media and keep them honest."

Who is doing this? The blogosphere and DEM activists have been pointing out media bias since the Clinton impeachment- now some of us want top DEMS to go on TV shows and follow suit.

"It is too easy to excuse our individual inaction by blaming the candidate of the moment for not pursuing some magical strategy that would lead to an easy win. "

Individual inaction? Again, individual DEM activists & bloggers have been pointing out media bias for years-but WE cant get on TV shows and point this out to swing-voters & moderates and a mass audience like top DEMS can.

Magical strategy? Easy win? Who said it would be magical or easy? I think it would be a tough fight. Better than excuses.

Again, excuses for not fighting media bias are one and the same with excuses for not fighting Republicans.

[blondeatlast]

19. Exactly; I'm amazed at how many DUers don't get that rather simple point. nt

[treestar]

8. IA and it's not just an ad war

Who has the better ads - is that the person who makes the best president?

[seabeyond]

9. YUP!!!! and ROVE will TELL us we should blame him, and we will buy it

THEN after we dissed him on what a lousy campaign he ran, we will mix the argument back and forth that was stolen, lousy campaign, he won but stolen, lousy campaign.

odd that we are

[Dr Fate]

10. Maybe we should blame the media- it worked the last 3 times.

That is, we should balme the media without doing a damn thing to fight the media or point out the literally thousands of examples of them lying or presenting false info that that just happens to help Republicans.

We should blame the media for not repeating our talking points for us and for not using strong, baited language in calling out McCain & Pailin on their lies & corruption.

We should balme the media for not disclosing to the public who their owners are, and what party those owners belong to.

No- we shouldnt blame the candidates or the DEM establishment if we lose- we should blame the media on message boards- but on TV, we should spend the next four years pretending they are objective-THEN blame the media again in January 2012.

Sound like a plan?

[Median Democrat]

17. Disagree - Recognize Big Media's Bias, Then Do Something - Don't Blame Candidates Again

The problem with blaming the candidates is that it justifies inaction. Why lift a finger if your candidate is screwing things up? The real focus should be, Big Media is biased, therefore, we need to work together to overcome the pervasive influence of Big Media. Each of us has to be accountable, and simply blaming the Democratic candidate of the moment, which is encouraged by Big Media, absolves us of responsibility for the outcome of the election.

Recognize the problem: Most media (TV, newspapers, radio) is controlled by only five large corporations. These corporations want to retain their monopoly and the GOP will let them grow, and Big Media's corporate sponsors favor the GOP. Big Media bias is not an accident. It is driven by hard economics.

[Dr Fate]

20. If we dont blame the high profile DEMS with media access, then who do we blame?

The people who need to to be fighting media bias are the people with media access. Bloggers and obscure text on the internet like Mediamatters can only do so much...

"Recognize the problem: Most media (TV, newspapers, radio) is controlled by only five large corporations. These corporations want to retain their monopoly and the GOP will let them grow, and Big Media's corporate sponsors favor the GOP. Big Media bias is not an accident. It is driven by hard economics. "

Perfect- Now I need to hear top Democrats go on TV shows saying what it took you 5 seconds to type- to their faces- Once a week until it becomes conventional wisdom- the same way the GOP sold their "Liberal media" talking points.

I know, I know, there is some excuse for why we cant do this.

[Median Democrat]

23. The GOP Could Not Have Sold Liberal Media Bias Meme Without Big Media Help

Your strategy to fight Big Media bias, relies on Big Media. Remember when Democrats tried to note the John McCain's own infidelity during discussions of John Edward's affair? What happened? They were not asked questions, the topic was changed, or more often the pundits themselves simply did not raise the issue.

Look at modern political coverage. How often are you actually listening to the candidate versus listening to analysts and pundits?

Its like sexual harassment policy that makes the sexual harasser the point of contact for all complaints. Its not a very effective policy, yet under your analysis the harassment victim should be blamed for not lodging a complaint with the harasser.

My take is that relying on the broker Big Media system to fight Big Media is a losing proposition. This is why grass roots support, and alternative media are so important.

Again, here is my post discussing Barack Obama's personal efforts to address this issue as a Senator:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6671688

[Dr Fate]

25. The CNN & MSNBC does not call it self Liberal. GOP pundits & politicians go on TV and say it.

I need to see top DEM names going on TV every week-confronting examples head on and making it conventional wisdom.

Thanks for the link to more internet text that swing voters will never see.

Maybe we should just *BLAME* the GOP for fighting us instead of fighting them back as well.

[Median Democrat]

28. Wrong, On CNN During RNC, Wolf Blitzer Referred To CNN As The Liberal Elite Media

Though Paul Begala vigorously disagreed. Check out CNN's coverage right after Sarah Palin's speech in response to the NBC chants.

[Dr Fate]

31. Link? Context? My guess is he was being sarcastic in order to appear objective.

Sounds like he was sarcatically aping Republican talking points in order to down play any claim that his network is biased, one way or the other. He probably believes his network is objective in his bizzaro world.

Hey- Begala's exchange, if presented the way you say, is a good start. I need much, much more of the same if media bias truly is the reason we lose so many elections.(And I think it is)

Does Begalla's one exchange mean that we can still blame the media if we lose, without examining 8 years of top DEMS failing to establish media bias? I dont think so...

Trust me, I dont *want* to blame DEMS or be critical of them on this-I want to be cheering them on- but at some point, we have to ask them to FIGHT media bias as opposed to our falling back on it as our excuse de jure...

[flamingdem]

11. Yes, get this judgemental crap about Obama OUT of DU - He is the BEST candidate

we could have dreamed of and we need to do everything in our power to get a landslide, and we will.

[Dr Fate]

15. I agree that he is the best candidate. I also think we will win.

I'm just making points about how the DEM establishment in general has failed to establish the fact of media bias- and that is one reason why things are still so close.

We always blame the media but we never account for the DEMS failure to fight the media or point out media bias to their faces...

[BumRushDaShow]

16. Excellent post that hits the nail on the head!

:applause:

[Shine]

27. K & R. Excellent post. We must take action for Change.

:kick:

[jesus_of_suburbia]

33. Not when we can blame Hillary!

Hillary is the reason we lost in 2000.


Hillary is the reason we lost in 2004.


IF we lose in 2008, Hillary will be the reason.


In fact, Hillary and Bill will be the reason we lose until we win again.



:sarcasm:

[Shine]

34. Have you seen this article, Median Democrat?

http://www.smh.com.au/news/us-election/no-cliffhanger-more-like-an-obama-landslide/2008/07/27/1217097059908.html

<snip>
Nevertheless Senator McCain has reason to be worried - very worried. Last week three leading political scientists declared the US media's presentation of the election as a toss-up as a "myth".

Alan Abramowitz, a professor of political science at Emory University, Thomas Mann, a senior fellow at Brookings Institution, and Larry Sabato, professor of politics at University of Virginia, accused the media of flogging a dead horse in trying to portray the presidential race as a cliffhanger.
<snip>

I totally agree with you about the media distorting the facts and the argument for taking responsibility for Change.

Our task: Stay focused. Take Action. Be Positive. Hold the Vision. Have Hope.

We CAN be the Change we want to see. I truly believe that. :toast:

[Dr Fate]

35. Show us TV footage of a top Democrat repeating those facts on a TV news show.

If you have trouble finding it-or can only find one or two softly worded examples- as opposed to week after week hammering like the GOP pundits & politicans do- then we have 2 problems, not one.

Swing-voters and low-info moderates who think the media is fair, accurate or even "liberal" will never find that internet text you just posted- but it may come in handy if we need an excuse in January.

It might be too late to establish media bias using this tactic at this point (but that does not mean we cant still win- I think we can)- DEMS with media access should have been establishing things like what this article says for the past 8 years...

It's not about blaming the candidate- but the DEM establishment in general has done a very poor job in making the case of factual media bias...

Hopefully we wont need to blame the candidates, the DEM establishment or dredge up our excuse de jure come January...

[Shine]

37. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7045739&mesg_id=7045739

:D

[Dr Fate]

38. Wow-thanks to that link to more obscure internet text. Maybe some low-info voters will google it....

...and then finally learn the truth about the biased info he is getting.

Too bad your link didnt have TV footage of a DEM on cable news show (if such footage even exists) saying what you were able to say about bias- a low info voter might have actually seen that when it played on his TV and learned what you & I know...

[Shine]

41. My point is, it's a delusion to think M$M tells "The Truth"

based on any higher measure than financial.

They're in it for the money, pure and simple.

So....no matter how upset we may get about the lo-info voters not getting it or seeing the right footage, it ultimately won't matter.

BIAS exists whether people are aware of it, or not. Sad, but true.

They'll continue to portray this election as a "horse race" til the bitter end because it keeps the DRAMA high, the MONEY flowing, and the people sucked in, mindlessly.

[Dr Fate]

43. I agree with your point. My point is that it is up to DEMS with media access to tell such truths.

For example, when they go on cable TV shows (and dont try to tell me they dont have access- I see them on these shows daily)-they can say what you just said.

As it is, most of what we have is internet text that we can point to whenever we need an excuse for why we lose.

If a top DEM's media bias talking point is censored from a TV show, then I need to hear him make that claim on Air America, an Op-Ed, or even in a mass email.

In other words, I'm way beyond the stage of using media bias as an excuse as opposed to fighting it- I want top DEMS to point it out, establish it as a fact, and then do something about it.

[Shine]

44. I agree with your points, too.

and that's where WE come in:

WE need to take ACTION and responsibility ourselves for the truth-telling by staying informed AND by holding the media and our Dem representatives accountable.

Grassroots = CHANGE from the bottom up. :thumbsup:

[Dr Fate]

47. No sweat. We've been holding up that end of our bargain for at least 8 years.

DEM activists & bloggers have been talking about media bias for years- but we cant get on those TV shows to tell a mass audience about it.

It's up to DEMS with media access to start taking on the media in the same way we already try to do.

It's inaccurate to implicate that it is DEM activists who are not holding up their end of the bargain when it comes to fighting the media or the GOP...

[Shine]

48. Have you checked out Rachel Maddow's new show yet?

:toast:

She's got some hard-hitting stuff on there!

[Dr Fate]

50. No- but 've seen her as a pundit many times & heard her on AA...

She is terrific.

As I said, the non-elected, activist type DEMS are doing everything that is asked of them and more. At least onthe radio, Maddow has pointed out TV media bias on many an occasion...

[Shine]

51. She kicks major ass on the TV front, too.

:loveya: I loves me some Rachel Maddow! Do yourself a favor and check out her new show on MSNBC.

It's soooo great to hear her calling the Repugs out on their lies and fraudulent behavior!

[Dr Fate]

53. I'll do it just for you! n/t

n/t

[Shine]

54. awww....

:pals:

It's Fate, my good Doctor. :hi:

[Dr Fate]

36. Great discussion, Media Dem- here is a related thread about Obama pointing out medai bias:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7044732&mesg_id=7045858

[raebrek]

39. I remind everyone that they need to vote when ever I can.

This part you might not like. I tell them I don't care who they vote for as long as they participate. Now if I can just get my wife to register to vote. Sigh.

Raebrek!!!

[Shine]

45. C'mon, get your wife registered! "Democracy is NOT a spectator sport"

It's meant to be participated with.

Remind your wife that a LOT of women suffered and worked really hard for her RIGHT TO VOTE.

That's not something that should be taken lightly or for granted.

Voting is every American woman's civic duty and responsibility....especially in this election.

[raebrek]

49. I have been working on it for a number of years.

She does not seem to have much interest.

Raebrek!!!

[Shine]

52. That's just sad.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be married to someone who frankly just doesn't get it.

You have my sympathy.

[Bullet1987]

40. I think the days of universal Big Media control of the news is coming to an end

and they know it. There will come a time when Dem big whigs will get tired of this shit and become very critical of the MSM (if they're not secretly pissed off already...I don't see how they can't be).

[Median Democrat]

46. Its Is WrongTo Assume That Big Media Has A RW Bias Due To GOP Manipulation

I have seen this in your post and several other posts in this thread. The assumption is that Big Media is biased because they have been cowed into submission by the GOP's charges of liberal bias. This is not true. The Democrats and the left have long complained about RW media bias. The website mediamatters.org exists to expose Right Wing media bias. This bias forms the basis of Barack Obama's advocacy for a diverse and independent media.

HOWEVER, Big Media is biased NOT because oit is reacting to claims of liberal bias by the GOP. Rather, Big Media due to its direct economic interests in (1) controlling the composition of the FCC, (2) opposing regulations limiting the growth of Big Media monopolies, and (3) the economic interests of its corporate sponsors. The charges of "liberal bias" only serve to obscure the existing Right Wing bias of Big Media. The charges of liberal bias does not cause Big Media to be biased in favor of the GOP. The charges of liberal bias only serves to provide Big Media with cover.

This is why the Democrats cannot simply act like Republicans, yell "Right Wing Bias!" and expect Big Media to be more fair in its coverage of the Democrats. Big Media is not biased against the Democrats because of some savy media strategy by the GOP. Rather, it is biased against the Democrats because Big media is expressing its own economic interests and the interests of its sponsors. Look at Fox News. Do you think that Rupert Murdoch is really a liberal at heart, but that he is being manipulated by the GOP? Or, do you think that he is greasing the wheels because he wanted to acquire Direct TV, the New York Post, and the Wall Street Journal, and he wanted a party that would not impair the growth of his monopoly?

Big Media has its own agenda. It is not a passive entity that is being manipulated by the parties. Instead, like Silvio Berscolini in Italy, Big Media is biased because it is pursing its own pro-corporate agenda.

[Dr Fate]

56. Why cant Elected Democrats say everything you just said- and say it on a cable news TV show?

Are they banned from saying it? Are they being censored?

If so, I've never heard them make the charge on Air America, an Op Ed, mass emails or other media that IS available to them.

Are they waiting for the right moment?

I agree with everything you are saying- but I cant seem to find you suggesting any solutions to this problem though- but you do reserve it as an excuse for when we lose.

That is the problem I'm having with your thesis. Any Democrat who is paying attention knows that the media is biased in favor of Republicans-but not all Democrats seem to have a plan to DO SOMETHING about it.

How would you attempt to curb or end media bias if you were in control of the party? I think the first step is for top Democrats with media access to start saying what you just said to a mass audience.

As it is, we only hear about media bias when it's an excuse for losing.

[Median Democrat]

57. Excuse For Losing? Here is What We Need To Do, Stop Blaming Candidates...

I will repeat my OP, because I was suggesting the exact opposite of giving up:

/snip

The question for us is whether Americans will ever really see the light and act, or will we simply blame the candidate of the moment for our failure to see through the web of lies spun by the GOP and Big Media? The new opiate of the masses is Big Media, which has created this mythology of liberal bias and Democrats failing to fight back to hide their active efforts to control and influence elections. I think that 2008 may be our last best chance to shake off this induced delirium and assert our voice, and demand accountability. However, this will not happen until we stop blaming our candidates, and taking responsibility for each of our individual roles in allowing this charade to proceed.

1. Have you contributed?
2. Have you volunteered?
3. Have you convinced the 4 out of 10 people you likely know who will not vote to vote, and to vote for Barack Obama?

If each of us continues to sit back, and hope for some magical candidate to win it for us, we will fail, because we are not invested in the outcome of the election. Our only chance for change is if we take ownership in the election result, and individually work to secure the result we want.

/snip

In each of your numerous posts in this thread, you have blamed Democratic candidates for not raising this issue, then ignored the examples we have provided of Democratic candidates raising this issue, and blamed them for not doing more. Your proof that they are not doing enough, is that there complaints about the media are not being aired, which again assumes an unbiased media.

You are not going to beat Big Media by relying on some new media strategy, which is what you repeatedly advocate. I recommend the steps above regarding how each of us can take ownership over this election, and change the result.

Waiting for some magical media strategy or candidate is the recipe for failure. More people taking individual responsibility for the outcome is the first step toward success. If Obama does not win, it is not just his private failure. It is our failure as a people and individually to prevail against the influence of corporate media.

[Dr Fate]

58. I have been doing all of the above for 8 years. Shouldnt elected DEMS join me in fighting MSM bias?

Why do you oppose the idea of DEMS with media access trying to educate people about media bias by pointing out examples of it, or correcting media lies to their faces? It's not a "magical strategy"- it's just fighting back with facts.

YES I have contributed.

YES I have volunteered.

YES I talk politics and try to convince fence sitters to vote DEM.

(none of these things have informed mass audiences -that I have no access to -that the media lies, strangely enough. Go figure.)

YES- I have talked about, pointed out and demanded action on media bias for 8 years. I have personaly spoken with journalists and sent emails & LTTEs. I complained about it at length to the GA DEMS and to the the DNC when I worked for them.

One thing I CANT do is GO ON TV where mass audiences can learn about it. DEMS with media access can (here I go again, "blaming" them)

Nearly any DEM activist who is concerned about media bias has done all the things you say need to be done.

Guess what- it aint working all by itself. The media is still as biased as ever-and folks are just as ignorant as to this fact.

Who the hell is just "sitting back?"

You can try to make this my fault, or frame this as me just "blaming" the DEMS all you want.

Fact is, media bias is STILL a problem and you have suggested that it is not up to top DEMS with media access to say a word about it. I disagree with that.

DEM activists and bloggers have been individually spreading the word about media bias for years- its long past time for the bigwigs in the party to get our backs on this.

Some would rather make excuses for them than demand that they engage.

Again, who is "waiting" for some "magical" strategy? I've been trying to fight media bias for years- and I want to see some top DEMS joining in. I cant do it by myself- I cant get on TV shows and confront them.

Your vague solutions to the problem of media bias have been in effect for years- they are not working by themselves- media bias nees to be taken on directly by top Democrats AS WELL AS the individuals who you claim are doing nothing...

So your solution for fighting media bias is to volunteer for DEMS and send them more money? We are already doing that-few or no results as to informing swing-voters about media bias so far.

Do you have anything better than what is already being done-something that might work?

I fail to se why DEMS cant go on TV and say all the things you have said about media ownership- why cant they? Its not "magical"-its just going on TV and getting the facts out.

[Skwmom]

42. That's what the Republicans, corp media, and Clinton gang is hoping.

[Metric System]

55. CDS