In a rare self admission, the media admits they are in the tank for Obama. IHT - Media stars will accompany Obama overseas
Senator John McCain’s trip to Iraq last spring was a low-key affair: With his ordinary retinue of reporters following him abroad, the NBC News anchor Brian Williams reported on his arrival in Baghdad from New York, with just two sentences tacked onto the “in other political news” portion of his newscast.
But when Obama heads for Iraq and other locations overseas this summer, Williams is planning to catch up with him in person, as are the other two evening news anchors, Charles Gibson of ABC and Katie Couric of CBS, who, like Williams, are far along in discussions to interview Obama on successive nights.
And while the anchors are jockeying for interviews with Obama at stops along his route, the regulars on the Obama campaign plane will have new seat mates: star political reporters from the major newspapers and magazines who are flocking to catch Obama’s first overseas trip since becoming the presumptive nominee of his party.
This is about as close as it gets for the media to actually admit their bias.
The extraordinary coverage of Obama’s trip reflects how the candidate remains an object of fascination in the news media, a built-in feature of being the first African-American presidential nominee for a major political party and a relative newcomer to the national stage.
Well, not completely. If it was Hillary, or Biden, or Dodd, or any of the other myriad Democrats who were the presumptive nominee, the media would be fawning virtually the same way.
Interestingly, the International Herald Tribune discusses something most media outlets won’t: the appearance of massive bias in the media towards Barry.
So the news media can’t even claim novelty when explaining this effort. When was the last time we saw any network anchor doing a remote, let alone all three at the same time? Not even the Iraq War merited it after the first elections in 2004-5, and I don’t believe that involved all three anchors at any time. Afghanistan hasn’t merited it. This is nothing more than the media fawning over Obama, and looking to give him as much earned media as they can. Their pretense of objective reporting has been ripped away, and the media looks like little more than groupies vying for the attention of a pop star, hoping that some of his popularity rubs off on them. This should embarrass journalists, but instead they’re busy rationalizing their utter lack of self-respect.
So much for Obama’s self-proclaimed desire not to turn his trip overseas into a political stunt. All signs point to it being just that, courtesy, in part, of the intense media circus that will surround the trip.
You do realize, don’t you, that if a GOP candidate with weak foreign policy was doing the same thing - making a “world tour” with dramatic backdrops - the press would be sneering about how the whole thing is a “stunt” meant to “deflect his inexperience.” I know you know it, but I had to say it, anyway.
I think you get the picture of what I think from the roundup of reactions. Then again, the article of self admission spoke for itself as well.
—John Stephenson is editor of Stop The ACLU.
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Comments Policy
Anchors away
July 17, 2008 - 08:40 ET by MobydubidoWhich, of course, demonstrates once again that Fox News Network is the truly fair and balanced outfit.
Pray and Pray hard, because
July 17, 2008 - 08:56 ET by Dan The Man 2Pray and Pray hard, because it will take a miracle for McCain to win.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
especially when I'm praying
July 17, 2008 - 09:23 ET by TruthMongerespecially when I'm praying that he loses:)
Ed Morrissey, Sister
July 17, 2008 - 09:07 ET by motherbeltEd Morrissey, Sister Toldjah and the Anchoress are spot on.
William Teach sounds like he's rationalizing. I don't for a minute believe they would be doing the same for just any old Democrat nominee.
Ed Morrissey, I think has the best take. They have turned into "Obama groupies."
And he's right that they have given up their self-respect; they have also forfeited any right to the respect of the public.
I also agree wholeheartedly with Sister Toldjah:
So much for Obama’s self-proclaimed desire not to turn his trip overseas into a political stunt.
Obama is always saying "It's not about me." HAHAHA
It's just like when someone says "It's not about the money...."
You can be certain, it's about the money.
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Interesting. I'll just
July 17, 2008 - 11:46 ET by ThatDudeInteresting. I'll just disagree slightly with your analogy. In the case of communists/socialists, when they say "It's not about me" or "I'm not doing it for the power" they mostly speak the truth. With such an ideology the cause is far above the individual (it's essentially the definition.) Without a doubt, the leaders love their position of power and all the priveleges that come with it (it is the elites who have things incredibly well in communism) but furthering their agenda is far more important to them than any personal lust for power or notoriety.
So when can we expect the DVD?
July 17, 2008 - 09:10 ET by Dee BunkLike "Senator Obama Goes to Africa" . I don't remember how it was for the National news but here the Chicago News had pull out sections on his trip to Africa and talked about it for days on Television and in print.
It's unbelievable how they idolize this guy.
What we really need is a DVD called "Press Gone Wild" that shows them throwing their underwear at him.
What we really need is a DVD
July 17, 2008 - 09:26 ET by MassConservWhat we really need is a DVD called "Press Gone Wild" that shows them throwing their underwear at him.
Dee, I appreciate the sentiment, but please... I'm still trying to digest my breakfast. [hurk]
Repeat after
July 17, 2008 - 09:14 ET by ckc1227Repeat after me...
Helps to click your heels
July 17, 2008 - 20:20 ET by BigSky1970Helps to click your heels together three times after you recite the word "bias". :)
Obama already fired off a
July 17, 2008 - 09:21 ET by KillgraveObama already fired off a warning shot, with he "refine" comment, but during this Iraq visit he will go all-out on his "seeing the light".
There has already been Obama/Jesus references, and here comes the biggest: Obama's transfiguration. By the brilliant, holy light of social justice, Obama will transfigure from a fringe leftist agitator to the True Centrist.
And they (the MSM) will fall to their knees, like Peter, James, and John, and worship Him.
Killgrave: You refer to the
July 17, 2008 - 11:50 ET by ForeverOnTheRightKillgrave: You refer to the "Jesus references". This "Jesus reference” has more of the Anti-Christ feel to it in my gut. They are TOO enamored with him and giving him unprecedented coverage. They are already treating him as if he where president going on some significant diplomatic mission that will save the world. They are not reporting his dark side. The world seems to have a preference for him, as I understand it. Barry is just one frightening dude.
The media's performance has been horrific
July 17, 2008 - 10:07 ET by ZachJonesIsHomeThis election is one of the most important in our history
for many reasons. The most important of
these is that for the first time our government could be in a situation where
primarily only the voices coming from the extreme left could very well dominate
the discussion and legislative action regarding the critical issues facing our
country’s future for years to come. Please
Consider: Obama’s Left -A Trojan Horse (Donkey) Approaches at
zachjonesishome.wordpress.com
Located: http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/2008/07/15/obama%e2%80%99s-left-a-trojan-horse-donkey-approaches/
zachjonesishome.wordpress.com
Treason!
July 17, 2008 - 10:47 ET by iveseenitallAlthough we needed no more proof of media bias, this trip seals it. McCain goes and almost nothing is said. When Barry goes, it's more than news; it's glorification of an incompetent ignoramus. It needs to be said: this kind of stuff is treason, pure and simple. At the least, it is not the role of a free press to support a candidate for public office in this manner. I'd say write your Congressman, but that'll do no good. The only thing left for decent Americans is their vote. The media in America is more than a disgrace; it is the enemy within.They have never vetted Obama, even though it is their job to do so. Futhermore, their fawning over him in the Middle East will give aid and comfort to the enemy.Get angry,Cry Treason!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
morning shows, evening
July 17, 2008 - 10:29 ET by gopstevemorning shows, evening news, cable will be even more all Obama all the time....
Let's predict what will be said:
A glowing speech reminescent of JFK's
Met by thousands of well wishers
He accomplished what he came for...
puke, gag....................
Obama World Tour
July 17, 2008 - 10:32 ET by appst38Well he has his groupies now.... That's a bonus. But look at it this way. When he puts his foot in his mouth they will be able to see it first hand. The Obama camp would do well not to schedule any interviews with the "Big 3". The pressure might just be too much for him to handle.
Please don't give them any
July 17, 2008 - 10:38 ET by Clear thinkerPlease don't give them any helful advice.
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
Don't you think they have
July 17, 2008 - 10:47 ET by gopsteveDon't you think they have their scripts already in their head?
O'Reilly
July 17, 2008 - 11:03 ET by iveseenitallWhile flipping through the channels last evening I came upon The Factor. There it was, a full face picture of Barry Obama. Even with O'Reilly, it's all Obama, all the time. Watch him tonight, I'll bet he gives Barry face and discussion time. McCain, little to nothing. I can only hope O'Reilly is simply trying to vet him more because the media in general is in the tank for this clown, to our ultimate detriment. This goes beyond debate over policy and the like. It's wrong; it's anti-American. Our Founders must be turning in their graves. Pravda-like reporting from the state run media is on its way if B.H.O. gets elected. Pray. God help this free nation which once lived its Constitution.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
ives...
July 17, 2008 - 11:04 ET by Clear thinker20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policymaking positions.
21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
iveseen - O'Reilly is obsessed with Obama
July 17, 2008 - 11:05 ET by Dee Bunkyou are right. It's just like he was with Kerry. That is when he started to go downhill is when he kept trying to suck up so that he could get a Kerry interview. Now he's doing the same thing with Obama. I only recently started watching him again (only occasionally) because he did good with McClellan but I've already become disgusted again.
If he does get an Obama interview it will be a complete puff piece.
→ O'Bama factor
July 17, 2008 - 11:10 ET by Cool ArrowCut O'Reilly some slack.
You'll notice Obama's face gets plastered all over NewsBusters also. Passersby might think we're in the tank with him too, (if they're just flipping through the blogs)
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
While the drive-by media
July 17, 2008 - 10:53 ET by jdhawkWhile the drive-by media once again proves their the voice of the DNC, one has to wonder who they will reach by all this and/or who they reach on a daily basis. Studies show the cohort that actually tunes into the alphabet TV news broadcasts each night is getting older and older.
So, for that reason, we take you to anytown USA where in the living room of George, a retiree, and Martha, a homemaker, the following scene unfolds while "viewing" the perky one:
Martha: George . . . George . . . GEORGE!!!
George: Um . . . Snort . . . What???
Martha: You were snoring again and you know I can't here the news broadcast when you do that.
George: Sorry, dear. I must have dosed off. (On the couch, George turns away from TV) Wake me up when Jeopardy comes on.
Martha: I will George.
The old
July 17, 2008 - 11:17 ET by iveseenitallIt's not only the "old" influenced by these jerks. It's all the ignorant and uninformed, plenty of whom are quite young. However, I do agree that the mainstream media is on its way out, thank God.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
biblical cast
July 17, 2008 - 11:25 ET by AgnosticNo offense to religous sensitivities!
In todays play of the teachings of the Obama we will have the following cast:
Charles Gibson, Katie Couric and Brian Williams as the three "not so" wise people (Couric nor Brian allow us to use wisemen)
The 12 deciples will be played by "star political reporters from the major newspapers and magazines" who will dutifully spread his message to those non-believers needing to be saved
Of course the lead role will be played by the superstar Senator Obama himself as he walks from land to land curing the sick and feeding the hungry and generally bringing change.
And in a cameo appearance will be Michele Obama as Mary Magdalene - However she will not be allowed to spead as to not upset the messiahs message.
obamessiah
July 17, 2008 - 11:28 ET by roncan't wait for film of obama walking on water and changing water into wine
target for al Qaeda
July 17, 2008 - 12:14 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsHmmm, the four of them all together in Iraq, a tempting target for al Qaeda. I wonder if the NYT has passed this info on to them.
D
Keep the ILLEGALS out, join NumbersUSA to send free faxes to your reps.
DFTT -- Maybe Obama should
July 17, 2008 - 12:19 ET by Jack BauerDFTT -- Maybe Obama should take Bill Ayers and his creepy wife with him...
Them being such experts on terrorism and targeting US troops with bombs?