West Virginia primary voters were asked at least two factually faulty exit poll questions yesterday, both of which asserted that the U.S. economy is already in recession. This, of course, is absolutely false. A recession is marked by at least two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth. The last quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 were marked by slow, but positive, economic growth.
See the screencap from CNN.com below (h/t e-mail tipster Jeff Williams):
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The recession has affected
May 14, 2008 - 09:25 ET by MeanderingThe recession has affected me by giving me a raise and a new car. Curse this recession!
Me too!
May 14, 2008 - 09:38 ET by JoelCTHey, me too! We need to watch the MSM more, because we obviously do not understand how dire our situation is!
Me three, AND
May 14, 2008 - 10:10 ET by fonzie2178My 401K went up. I hope this recession lasts!
"It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but it doesn't take any to just sit there with a dumb look on your face."
Liberals Faces
May 14, 2008 - 10:24 ET by MeanderingThat's why liberals look the way they look!
Reinforcement
May 14, 2008 - 09:25 ET by KC MulvilleThe media perpetrates the myth (that there is a recession) and then reports on the myth that they themselves created, creating a vicious circle of propaganda.
The definition of strategy is that you make decisions based on what you expect others to do. If the media establishes the assumption that we're in a recession, it pushes investors to change their strategy. Wall Street, like any other large social institution, is stocked with people whose survival instinct drowns out any desire to advance during uncertainty. Instead of a growing market, investors will cover their ass. That means fewer opportunities, fewer jobs, cutbacks, and decreased R&D. That's why peddling the myth of a recession can cause one. It's the ultimate self-fulfilling prophecy.
When it comes to economics, the media is a kid playing with matches.
The self-licking ice cream cone
May 14, 2008 - 10:05 ET by GalvanicThe media perpetrates the myth (that there is a recession) and then reports on the myth that they themselves created, creating a vicious circle of propaganda.
I agree. CNN, like many other self-proclaimed news organizations, has never been known to let facts get in the way of their story.
The older I get, the more I come to appreciate just how shallow the so-called news analysis in the MSM is. There is no critical thinking involved.
Perhaps that's why it has become so susceptible to the political-leanings of its reporters and editors, who, like their audience, are pre-programmed to react to buzz words and slogans.
Good catch Ken
May 14, 2008 - 09:30 ET by CaringwhiteguyI heard that last night as I was clicking my way between the NBA and MLB. I just chuckled, but upon further reflection this is the worst type of push polling.
No wonder Jed, Grannie, Jethro and Elly May think there's a recession going on. "The people on the TV said there is."
Not Pretending
May 14, 2008 - 09:37 ET by JoelCTNo surprise there. The MSM is not even pretending to be unbiased as we get closer and closer to the election. Just like in 2004 and 2006. We have news anchors using Democrat code-words like "swiftboating", calling everyone who doesn't vote for Obama "racists", and pretending conservatives are the only people who practice "nasty" politics.
They can't prove that a recession is happening with any facts at all, so they just stopped talking about proving it, and just say it as if there is no debate about it. These are really nasty people. I shudder at how ugly they are going to get by November. It will be sickening.
Joel, I am still hoping that
May 14, 2008 - 09:55 ET by ForeverOnTheRightJoel, I am still hoping that the Dims will do something really stupid and go a step too far and expose themselves, just like that incident at the Wellstone funeral/memorial service.
CNN/TASS, the best political
May 14, 2008 - 10:05 ET by Captain RepusCNN/TASS, the best political team in the history of the Galaxy (and if you don't believe that, just ask Wolfie Blitzer) uses tactics like this often. As I watched this segment wondered what their purpose was in this deliberate misrepresentation of the facts, since CNN is fully aware that there is no recession. I have now determined that this was a subtile way to show the 'elite' of the democrat party just how ignorant these WV hillbillies really are.
I heard old Jed
May 14, 2008 - 10:09 ET by theduck6actually changed his auto insurance and that's how he was able to move to BEVERLY ...Hills that is swimmin pools...movie stars.
It's easy to tell how important an issue is tho the left
May 14, 2008 - 10:47 ET by c5thenBy the sheer number of lies that they repeat about it over and over. Apparently the "recession" is very important.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
The deceit of the Left on
May 14, 2008 - 11:14 ET by mattmThe deceit of the Left on full display! There's something almost actionable about this, but hey, CNN is free to lie, mislead and decieve if they so choose.
I doesnt say is the effect
May 14, 2008 - 11:42 ET by charlietexasI doesnt say is the effect positive or negitive.
the "recession" has been good for us. More business and we bought a new truck. Liberals are so stupid. MOM
They Have Convinced Us All!
May 14, 2008 - 13:32 ET by ChasvsThey obviously are comfortable that they have successfully convinced the general population that we are in a Recession. They can use the term at will since it is now conventioanl wisdom that the economy sucks, it's Bush's fault and only Saint BHO can save us!
As I recall, things were doing pretty darn well until the Demofacist took over Congress! It's been nothing but downhill for the economy since then! But don't expect the MSM to do any research or reporting on that!
We are SO SCREWED!