FAIR AND BALANCED MEDIA MY ASS. Local TV station giving big, wet, sloppy hummer to McCain/Palin.

[Obamarama]

Okay, I know I said I was going to stay away from DU because I'm back in grad school and busier than a two-headed billy goat and can't justify spending time here vs. time hitting the books. BUT...I can't take it anymore. I need to vent and seethe with like-minded people who feel my pain. ANYWAY.....

I live in the Grand Rapids, MI media market, which is more or less dominated by WOOD-TV8(NBC). If you aren't already aware of its demographics, think of Grand Rapids as one, big festering cesspool of right-wing GOPism and Christian conservatism.

Guess who's coming to town today? You got it...McCain/Palin. (As an aside, I think it's sort of amusing that it is coinciding with the opening of the Barnum & Bailey Brothers Three Ring Circus tonight).

So for the morning and noon news broadcasts they have been doing live remotes from the GOP venue. They are using terms such as "the place will be filled to the rafters," "there will be a sea of people here", "they will be speaking before a huge crowd."

First of all, the auditorium seats 3,500 people. Now, that's more than a few, but 3,500??? THAT'S ALL? Doesn't quite hit the mark of a "sea of people." Now, contrast that with when Obama came to town a few months ago. He FILLED the 12,000 seat VanAndel Arena and about 2,500 more listened to the speech outside the arena. In a city that is a hands-down GOP stronghold.

Next, where do they get off describing a crowd that isn't even THERE? I listened closely and they did not say anything like "the crowd is estimated to be a big one." They're just reporting that they WILL be big. And back to my first point: 3,500 isn't BIG for a presidential nominee appearance.

I've never pretended that WOOD TV is serious journalism, but this is nothing more than blatant bias in favor of the hometown party: the GOP. And to think that Helen Thomas' niece works at this station. Helen would be spitting tacks if she saw this sort of blather.

[gateley]

1. Well if they DO fill the 3500 seat venue, it's a big improvement from what

McCain was drawing pre-Palin.

And somebody reported here that at a McCain/Palin gig yesterday, several people left after Palin spoke - had no interest in hearing McCain.

Please let us know what the actual turnout is, if you can get a true representation.

And you need to take a break from the books -- and how better to do that than a visit to DU? :pals:

[Obamarama]

2. I agree with your last point....

Yes, I do need to take a break from the books, but you don't understand:

"My name is KzooDem. I am a DU addict."

I don't think there's a twelve-step program for us, so I guess I have no choice but to fall off the wagon and migrate back here to blow off steam. :-)