Cohen: Are Media Out to Get John Edwards?

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Great pi8ece, as always, from Jeff
-----

Give me a break about John Edwards’ pricey haircut, mansion, lecture fees and the rest. The focus on these topics tells us two things about corporate media. One we’ve long known – that they elevate personal stuff above issues. The other is now becoming clear – that they have a special animosity toward Edwards.

Is it hypocritical for the former Senator to base a presidential campaign on alleviating poverty while building himself a sprawling mansion? Perhaps. But isn’t that preferable to all the millionaire candidates who neither talk about nor care about the poor? Elite media seem more comfortable with millionaire politicians who identify with their class – and half of all U.S. senators are millionaires.

Trust me when I say I don’t know many millionaires. Of course I don’t know many presidential candidates either (except my friend Dennis Kucinich, whose net worth in 2004 was reported to be below $32,000.)

But I’m growing quite suspicious about the media barrage against Edwards, who got his wealth as a trial lawyer suing hospitals and corporations. Among “top-tier” presidential candidates, Edwards is alone in convincingly criticizing corporate-drafted trade treaties and talking about workers’ rights and the poor and higher taxes on the rich. He’s the candidate who set up a university research center on poverty. Of the front-runners in presidential polls, he’s pushing the hardest to withdraw from Iraq, and pushing the hardest on Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to follow suit.
more:
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=12981

[xultar]

1. Just like they were out to get Clark in 2k4...the fuckers.

[aquart]

2. And that's why I'm voting for him in the primary.

That wealth they're bitching about was EARNED beating up corporations that beat up on us. Seems like the good fight to me.

And if a stingy, patient-murdering HMO paid for that $400 haircut, I couldn't be more pleased.

[Deep13]

3. No, they are out to ignore him.

Without constant media attention neither he nor any other candidate has a chance.

[EVDebs]

4. M$M wants a Hilary vs. Rudy dustup. Period.

They won't mention the healthcare fiasco brought to us by the Insurance/Pharma industries for fear single-payer will win out. If Ahnold vetoes it this time around his political future sails into the sunset...and it looks like that's what's gonna happen.

Right now I'm for Edwards or Dennis K. In fact that would make a great combo ticket for progressives either way (Dennis/Edwards, too).

[SoCalDem]

5. They just need a scape-goat every election cycle

It's his turn :)

[yes2truth]

6. They're not out to "get" Edwards. It's just that their ...

major advertisers (large corporations) detest trial lawyers that represent plaintiffs, and so what might appear to be an attack on John Edwards is better seen as tossing a bone to corporate medias best customers. Only Kucinich and Ron Paul are totally unacceptable to America's (sophisticated) elites.