In a Fox News Sunday panel segment on the media's pro-Obama and anti-McCain bias, Juan Williams revealed journalists were in such a swoon for Barack Obama that during the primaries “what you saw was that the executive editors and the top people at the networks were all rushing to Obama events, bringing their children, celebrating it, saying they were, there's this part of history.” Though Williams, a former Washington Post reporter who is now a NPR news analyst and regular analyst for Fox News, maintained “there's no question in my mind the media has been more supportive of Senator Obama,” he contended it does not explain why McCain is losing.
Williams on the Sunday, October 26 Fox News Sunday:
If you were going to events during the primaries, what you saw was that the executive editors and the top people at the networks were all rushing to Obama events, bringing their children, celebrating it, saying they were, there's this part of history. I think they plugged into the Obama narrative in a way that they said, “you know what, out with the past.” And they've been very critical of President Bush and Senator McCain, as an extension of Bush, playing into the Obama campaign theme. I don't think there's any question about this. The American people are smart, they can see this. That's why Obama's on every magazine cover -- I've spend too much time in airports, you walk through there, it's like you're walking through an Obama campaign event. So, there's no question in my mind the media has been more supportive of Senator Obama.But if you ask me, you know, so what does this indicate? Has this shifted, is that the reason for this race going as it has? No it's not. I think people understand the drama of what Senator Obama represents and, in some ways, I think, the McCain campaign has not been sufficiently smart in maneuvering themselves to present their candidate and what he has done and his story, his heroism, his willingness to sacrifice, I don't think they've done a very good job of advertising it.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Comments Policy
Unbiased Journalism is on life support if not dead already
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 13:39 ET by RpeggioJuan is one of the few level headed, free thinking Democratic journalists left that hasn't been infected with the thrill-up-the-leg disease.
I am surprised that top
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 14:39 ET by kgI am surprised that top journalists even have kids. Ohhh, they want the non-eliteas (every day people) to have the abortions.
"Forget change, I want improvement!"
Don't Believe it
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 13:41 ET by NoMoreClintons"he contended it does not explain why McCain is losing"
Who says Mac is losing? The skewed polls? Liberal media outlets and journos like Williams (Brian and Juan) who are so far in the tank for Obama? So why is Mac still in PA? HUH? He knows it's up for grabs. And if PA is still in play . . .
This attempt to suppress GOP votes on Nov. 4 ain't gonna work, folks, as record numbers are going to turn out to stop 0bama.
Uh yeah
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 13:47 ET by bolivarJuan, you are either a liar or incredibly naieve. I have convinced my wife - the greatest skeptic that the media are totally in the tank and she almost gets as mad at them as I do. The media are giving - yes giving at least 5 points to the messiah. I can only hope the American people are not as naive as Juan or the entire country is in deep trouble. You talk about a different country - the messiah (this is a fair statement cuz Calypso Louie says so) will not be in control - good ol Soros - the Jew hating scumbag and his cabal will. I am deeply concerned if this scum bum gets more of a hold on power in this country.
Call me an alarmist but, I will be prepared with cash and a full pantry. Don't own a gun yet but have been thinking about it. I hate them but, I will be darned if I will let my right to have one be taken away.
but it does explain why Mc
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 13:48 ET by dark_dsbut it does explain why Mc Cain is behind in the poles .....a media that is in the tank for the Oman doesnt properly vet him.. despite the cries that he is the most vetted candiate in history (puke) a media that is in the tank for him doesnt question his not using public matching funds as promised allowing him to raise 600 million ( much of it not traceable) take that 600 million and couple it with the free advertizing that goes on by "journalists" that are in the tank and want to be a part of history and it is no wonder that Oman is leading the polls. Juan Williams is often level headed but he is still not seeing things clearly
Juan doesn't see a problem!
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 13:48 ET by pbthinkerIf the media can't see a problem, with the way they've covered this campaign, how will they ever correct it. Just for beginners, let's start with the vetting process. Had they vetted Obama, I doubt he would have made it outside the primaries. That was what had the Clintons so upset. I'm sure they had opposition research on Obama that they were only willing to bring up, once the press exposed it. The press never did expose it so, I'm sure, the Clintons tried to leak it to them, only to have the leaks unreported or uninvestigated.
Now comes McCain and we know what he's gotten. Obama still hasn't been vetted and the press went after Governor Palin like rabid dogs. McCain hasn't gotten his message out? How in hell do you get a message out when the only thing the press is interested in is $150,000 on clothes?
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Roadblocks
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 13:49 ET by Fist of EtiquetteWhat Williams apparently fails to understand is that the media is the main avenue for McCain to sell his story and his plan for the future to the American people. Having that avenue blocked at every turn is bound to have some effect.
There is still a significant portion of the voting public - I would wager these are those "undecideds" - that think the MSM is giving them the whole truth. Those are the ones that decide elections.
The race is still tight
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 14:00 ET by mvfreemanThis poll has O's lead down to 5 pts:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE49J0LF20081026
mv
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 14:14 ET by cocodrieI believe the polls are skewed and McCain will win. "It ain't over 'til it's over" Yogi
I don't know if McCain is
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 15:08 ET by NewsbusterbrownI don't know if McCain is going to win, but I know damn well Obama is not going to win by a landslide.
“There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.” - Ronald Reagan (1964 Republican Convention)
I don't think the airport
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 14:01 ET by the strugglerI don't think the airport campaign effects us much.We Gun-Toting Bible-Thumpers don't frequent airports.
I about gave up
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 14:35 ET by TexndocOn the "round table" discussion it was all Palin-on-a-plate after saying how unfairly she was treated by the media they go on to treat her unfairly for another 15-20 minutes. Not one mention of Joe Biden or his interview with the Orlando reporter yesterday. If that had been Palin's interview, it would have been the lead on the show. Et-tu, FoxNews? Obviously.
No, of course they don't go
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 14:49 ET by motherbeltNo, of course they don't go to rallies and bring their kids because they're supporters; they just do it to "be a part of history."
And of course media treatment doesn't explain why McCain is losing. McCain would be losing to Obama anyway....anybody would be losing to Obama, because he's just charismatic, and dreamy, and amazing!!
<sarc>
For balance?
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 16:00 ET by Josh SNWhat about all the barbecues at McCain's ranch he held for dozens of elite members of the press corps?
Just as a point of fact, Obama is not the most liberal member of the Senate. If you think that, you've never heard of Russ Feingold. Naturally, I like Russ Feingold better than Obama. Feingold was campaigning in New Hampshire (he's from Wisconsin) in 2006. If the entire electorate were Ivy-educated, he would be able to connect and be a sure fire winner. Another Senator you can't have heard of is Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He's distinctly more liberal than Obama, too. There are others, but those are the _real_ most liberal members, depending on exactly how you count.
Anyway, I don't consider Juan Williams a liberal. He's, at best, a sell-out centrist who gets paid by Fox News to represent leftism, just like they pay Colmes. Colmes is a former comedian. Olberman is a sportscaster.
No, if you ask me, the only liberal viewpoint on television is the Rachel Maddow show. I really dig it (well, the "Just Enough" culture feature is dumb, but anyway).
According to the MSM there aren't any Liberals
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 18:10 ET by Anchor89According to the MSM, there aren't any liberals. I almost never hear the term used in the MSM. Of course, I hear people and groups labeled as "conservative," "ultra-conservative," "far-right," and "right-wing" by the MSM, but I never hear anyone labeled as "liberal."
Just like fish don't even notice the water they are swimming in until they are out of it (like reporters at a McCain rally), liberals in the MSM don't even realize they are swimming in a sea of liberalism. According to them, there are only two types of people: conservatives and normal, mainstream people like them. Any journalist who attempts to move to the right hand side of their liberal ocean like Juan Williams and Bernard Goldberg is labeled a sell-out. Nice. I guess if you can't debate, libel.
BTW, Josh SN, although your opinions may not cause any argument or criticism at work, you are no longer in the Liberal ocean here. And so far, I have to say, your claim of being an unbiased journalist is not very convincing.
SO TRUE !! - Anchor89
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 19:34 ET by MrShyGreat post!! So true. I never -- EVER -- hear the word "liberal" on any news program or see it in newspapers, unless they're sarcastically quoting a conservative/Repub.
And though, sure, Fox uses the word, I've heard them *also* use the word "conservative".
Just amazing.
You're the next contestant on...
THE MESSIAH IS... LEFT !!
Scrapiron
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 17:51 ET by ScrapironThe anti-american people have made up their mind. The destruction of America as a free country and leader of the world has already began. It will go into high gear the day Hussein becomes president. It might take two years for the road to a third world SHole is constructed but it will come. I'm tired and will simply sit in the shade a laugh. I did my time (22years) in the military to keep the country free. Now the anti-americans spit on those who gave them everything they have. It will be fun watching them lose it with a whimper as the cowards they are. My advice, get yourself a few acres so you can raise enough food to feed yourself and your family. The days of stores stocked floor to ceiling will be over. Look at any socialist/communist/Islamic country and tell me I'm wrong. There is not enough fight left in the American people to maintain they're freedom. The world of Castro and Chavez has taken over.
I remember in 1960 when the leader of the USSR stated, "we will bury you and not fire a shot". The burial day is at hand. Always thank a democrat for the burial, to be paid with your money, when you see one.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Tired Old Man
Sun, 10/26/2008 - 19:36 ET by melpolhttp://www.associatedcontent.com/melpol
It is no mystery that a tired old man is losing the presidential elections to an untested but youthful outsider. This is a world where image not war stories fills inner needs. Sex sells and Obama is sexy looking. McCain might fill the role of a sugar daddy but otherwise not as a desirable president.
Obama and the MSM: Pied Pipers
Mon, 10/27/2008 - 11:24 ET by Mary Louise TurnerThe MSM and Mr. Obama are the Pied Pipers and the millions of ignorant, lazy, stupid and/or brainwashed voters out there are the rats willing to follow them blindly. The Democrats and their media toadies, including Mr. Williams, have bullied voters into thinking that the economy is the sole issue that matters. They have deliberately buried Mr. Obama's obvious character flaws, his connections to shady characters (including George Soros), and his radical liberalism.