As Tim Graham mentioned earlier, Washington Post Style-page columnist/TV critic Tom Shales went completely rhapsodic over President Obama's speech last night. It's a bizzaro read, actually. Starting with the headline, "Obama's Enchanting Quizfest" and continuing with descriptors like "earnestly," "disarmingly," "enchantingly" (again), "comfortingly cool and collected," "truly flabbergasting" (in a good way, pretty sure he means), and so on. Shales even compares Obama to a comic-book hero. The level of abject fawning and slobbering on the part of Shales is itself truly flabbergasting (in not a good way, I mean). What possessed him to lose sense of appropriate professional tone in covering an elected official? Fine, you think the man is doing a great job in office. But as a journalist, why write it that way? Especially in the wake of Obama's massive government expansion and take-over of the US economy, Shales really does a disservice to WaPo readers by abandoning a more balanced, detached and critical write-up of the Obama 100-day presser.
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In the several articles
April 30, 2009 - 10:11 ET by jdhawkIn the several articles posted today on NB the theme is the same: talk about anything but the issues concerning this far left president and congress.
The drooling press is to ensure that nothing whatsoever gets out as to what these crooks are doing to our nation and our economy. Take the proposed GM and Chrysler "deals" as an example. As written, they give control of these companies first to the government and then to the unions while leaving the majority bond holders - aka the little people - with next to nothing despite their majority ownership. This is, "government stop meddeling in the private sector, ASAP," according to the "comic book hero" otherwise known as the first stupid liberal in his press conference.
By the way, has it occured to anyone that we are seeing this president on the TV as much as the people of a banana republic communist dictatorship do? Everytime I turn around I see flappy ears on my TV. It's nauseating.
The emperor's new clothes
April 30, 2009 - 10:38 ET by KC MulvilleCount Shales among those raving about Obama's style, while Obama shameless stands naked of substance.
Wow. A professional politician answers questions from reporters. It's like ... you know ... unheard of. It's like first-time parents breathlessly telling you how brilliant their child is, because he spoke! (It's a miracle!)
Please. Spare us the pre-fabricated awe. Do your job.
From the Smithsonian thread....
April 30, 2009 - 11:07 ET by motherbeltThe Washington Post beclowns itself (again).
Fits here too.
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Shales isn't the problem
April 30, 2009 - 10:50 ET by GalvanicAs a TV critic, Shales assesses the artistic and entertainment values of televised events. Since Obama is already regarded as a 'rock star,' it's not surprising that Shales focuses on his performance before the camera rather than take into account his performance in office.
The real problem is that people who call themselves journalists and political commentators write and speak just like Shales. There's practically no analysis of the impacts -- both short and long -- of Obama's governance; they merely fawn over his public persona.
Thus, last night, after bragging about his $785 billion Stimulus Bill and a 2010 budget that is 8% higher than the previous one, he declares that he's not for Big Government, and that every budget item must be paid for. I don't expect Shales to dissect that twisted logic; I expect the journalists to do it. But they don't.
Fine, you think the man is
April 30, 2009 - 11:14 ET by motherbeltFine, you think the man is doing a great job in office. But as a journalist, why write it that way? Especially in the wake of
Obama's massive government expansion and take-over of the US economy,
Because Shales doesn't care about that, and assumes the rest of America doesn't either.
What matters is how good he looks, what a hunk he is, and that he gives good teleprompter (h/t to one of the contributing bloggers here; I forget who).
It's all abuot "hipness" and the "swagga."
They might say "Wow, that sucks!" But at least they'll say "Wow!" -Duff Goldman, the Ace of Cakes
Shingles is so ignorant he
April 30, 2009 - 14:34 ET by mattmShingles is so ignorant he doesn't even know how embarrassed he should be.