Is CNN backing Dean? AOL Time Warner is one of his big...

[Bread and Circus]

contributors and they own CNN.

This is from the Clark 04 Blog. I might be wrong on this.
Can someone smarter than me give clarification on what this
means.

"In response to a GREAT message from Boo-Boo on today's Blog:
"I think that CNN interview does show that they have an agenda. One that involves putting their nose as far up Karl Rove's... Well, you get the rather disgusting picture.

All the major news outlets have reporters assigned to the Clark campaign. They know what it's been like the past few days. They know about the large crowds turning out to see the General, and they know about the ARG numbers as well. Yet, the spin they were dealing this morning was clearly meant to imply that Clark was not catching on in NH. They spun the ARG poll to mean that Clark was way behind, and totally ignored the trend, which is a major feature of a tracking poll like the ARG.

Hard for me to believe that's not deliberate."

It IS deliberate. I have to agree. CNN is biased, and here is ANOTHER reason (other than "putting their nose as far up Karl Rove's...", that is...) Consider this:

AOL/TIME-Warner is the parent company of CNN. Look at who is the #1 Contributor to HOWARD DEAN's Campaign:

http://www.opensecrets.org/presidential/contrib.asp?id=N00025663&cycle=2004">http://www.opensecr ets.org/presidential/contrib.asp?id=N00025663&cycle=2004">http://www.opensecrets.org/presidentia l/contrib.asp?id=N00025663&cycle=2004

AOL Time Warner $61,975
University of California $54,874
Microsoft Corp $25,100
IBM Corp $22,750
Harvard University $22,400
Dean for America $19,893
Emory University $16,050
Goldman Sachs $16,000
University of Pennsylvania $15,500
Stanford University $15,000
Skadden, Arps et al $14,449
Citigroup Inc $14,100
Dartmouth College $13,750
Hewlett-Packard $12,850
McKenna, Long & Aldridge $12,700
State of Vermont $12,680
Massachusetts Institute of Technology $12,500
University of Texas $12,222
Morgan Stanley $11,450
Walt Disney Co $11,450

I don't see MSNBC (or it's parent company, GE) on that list, and I would probably faint if I found Rupert Murdock (FOXNews's "parent") on there anywhere."

In quotes directly from Clark Blog

[Hep]

1. Silly is as silly does

There are over 90,000 AOL/Time Warner employees. How many would you say have editorial power at CNN?

This was a moranic argument the first time it was posted, and it is just as moranic now. Nothing against you, but if this is your best shot against Dean, fire away with your friggin NERF CANNON.

On edit, please learn about what those numbers mean before you post them. If you knew what they meant you wouldn't have bothered.

[windansea]

2. nerf cannon

good one hep!!

[Hep]

3. :)

Thanks, unless you are being sarcastic, in which case, shut up!

[Hep]

4. :)

Thanks, unless you are being sarcastic, in which case, shut up!

[windansea]

7. seriously!!

very funny!!

[liberalnurse]

10. Clark worked for CNN.....

They adore Clark......

[liberalnurse]

11. This is a dupe of Tuesday.......

I politely pointed out that they neglected to share the criteria/basis for the figures...which is explained on the same page as the figures. The post is selective in fact sharing equal to tabloid journalistic tactics we see at the grocery line.

[John_H]

5. Sort of. They're backing Bush.

AOL wouldn't be crushed if Dean won the nomination, believe me.

[HFishbine]

6. Just to be clear

AOL/Time Warner has not contributed to Dean's campaign, as I'm sure you know.

Corporations are prohibeted from contributing to campaigns. Individuals do have to provide the name of their employer however, and the figures you cite show the aggregate amounts that employees of particular employers contributed.

[adamrsilva]

8. LOL!!!!

If CNN backed Dena they wouldn't have hid their poll that had him within 5 points of Bush!

[liberalnurse]

9. This is a dupe of yesterday.......

Why flame Dean over and over and again on the same misleading data. Please read the clarification information on the right hand side of the "open secrets page you linked.


This is yellow journalism tactics which does not taste good to the foundation of the democratic party. Other parties practice this style.



<snip>....from your linked page......

Because of contribution limits, organizations that bundle together many individual contributions are often among the top donors to presidential candidates. These contributions can come from the organization's members or employees (and their families). The organization may support one candidate, or hedge its bets by supporting multiple candidates. Groups with national networks of donors - like EMILY's List and Club for Growth - make for particularly big bundlers.


actually it was Tuesdays post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=71679

[SeattleRob]

12. CNN Pimpimg for the Chimp

Watch their coverage and you'll see my subject line is correct.

[Bread and Circus]

13. Thanks to folks for correcting/educating me...

I posted my question in earnest.

Though I am a pro-Clark supporter, I do play fair.
I didn't know if there was anything to it.

Irregardless of the quoted material, I still get
the sense CNN is poised against Clark. But hey,
Clark seems to be getting some well deserved buzz
so I am happy.