Over the past few months, there has been great debate concerning which candidates media have been pushing in order to assist them attain the presidential nominations of their respective parties.
On Friday, former "Crossfire" co-host Bill Press, who currently has a talk show on Sirius radio, wrote a column at World Net Daily on this very subject.
For a variety of reasons, his opinion might raise a few eyebrows (emphasis added throughout, h/t NBer motherbelt):
[E]ven though no one candidate has yet locked up their party's nomination, we might as well cancel the rest of the primaries or caucuses. The media have already decided that this year's standard bearers will be John McCain and Barack Obama.
Yes, somewhere along the line, the role of the media has changed from reporting on the primaries to deciding the primaries. They pick their favorites, they give them preferential treatment, they tear down their opponents, and they anoint their winning candidates even before voters have a chance to go to the polls.
Hold on to your seats, for there was much more:
Step one occurs early in the primary process, when network executives decide which candidates get covered and which ones don't. Among Republicans, too bad for Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul, Tommy Thompson, Sam Brownback and Duncan Hunter. Once the media suits decided they weren't serious candidates, they got no media attention, which, of course, resulted in their never being taken seriously as candidates.
Still holding on? Good:
Step two occurs once the field narrows, when members of the media fall in love with their favorite candidates and start slobbering all over them. Is there any doubt, for example, that everybody in the national press corps is in love with John McCain? If you believe what you hear and read in the media (always a dangerous proposition), McCain can do no wrong and Romney can do no right.
[...]
Barack Obama gets the same worshipful treatment. We hear constantly about how "liberal" Hillary Clinton is too liberal, in fact, to get elected. Yet Obama's liberal credentials leave Clinton in the dust. Unlike Clinton, for example, Obama favors granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. As reported by the Washington Times alone, he also supports the decriminalization of marijuana. And the National Journal named him 2007's Most Liberal Senator. Who's the real liberal here?
Interesting points all. But was Press being honest with his readers?
After all, according to his website, his radio program airs from the Clinton think tank (emphasis added):
On June 27, Bill launched his new talk radio program - the "Bill Press Show" - broadcasting live from the Center for American Progress in downtown Washington, D.C.
Some coincidence that on June 21, NewsBusters reported on CAP's connections to the Clintons:
For those unfamiliar with the Center, its President and CEO is none other than John Podesta, the former Chief of Staff for President Bill Clinton. And:
- The Executive Vice President for Management is Sarah Rosen, who was also a member of the Clinton administration.
- Senior Vice President for Development Debbie Goldberg worked for the Clinton campaign.
- Senior Vice President and Director David Halperin was a speech writer for President Clinton.
- Vice President of Communications Jennifer Palmieri was Clinton's White House Deputy Press Secretary.
- Senior Vice President for External Affairs Winnie Stachelberg worked at the Office of Management and Budget under Clinton.
- Vice President of Finance and Operations Brad Kiley worked for the Clinton administration.
- Ditto Peter Rundlet, Anna Soellner, Debbie Fine, and Michelle Jolin.
In reality, the staff and Senior Fellows listing of this Center reads like a Clinton administration Who's Who.
Now, I don't know which of the two Democrat candidates Press is supporting. But, with his radio broadcasts emanating from the Clintons' personal think tank, one has to wonder if he would write such a piece if Hillary was doing better on the campaign trail.
Do Press's ruminations reek of sour grapes?
*****Update: A January 10 column by Press gives some insight as to what horse he has in this race (emphasis added throughout):
It's one of the most amazing comeback stories in American politics — and one of the most embarrassing moments for members of the media. The day before the New Hampshire primary, everybody was writing off Hillary Clinton. Her campaign was falling apart. She was going to lose New Hampshire to Barack Obama by at least 10 points. She'd soon fire her chief strategist and campaign manager — assuming, that is, that she was still in the race. The Drudge Report announced she was dropping out.
Which isn't quite the way it turned out. Sen. Clinton surprised everyone by bouncing back and beating Barack Obama in New Hampshire by 3 points. A narrow win, to be sure. But still, a win for her and a defeat for him.Excuse me, but Hillary winning New Hampshire was one of the most amazing comeback stories in American politics? Don't you think that's WAY overstating it, Bill? But there's more:
And then came the “emotional moment,” endlessly seen around the world, when Hillary teared up while responding to a question about how she put up with all the pressures of campaigning. No big deal when Mitt Romney's eyes filled with tears on “Meet the Press,” but pundits immediately and unanimously declared that her performance was the end of the road for a woman candidate. It proved, in fact, to be the exact opposite, showing a personal side of Clinton that voters had never seen before.
Amazing. So, like Hillary sycophants across the media plain, Press not only fell for her Crying Game hook, line, and sinker, but he also sold it to his readers.
I guess that answers a lot of questions, doesn't it? So does his parting advice for the junior senator from NY:
Having found it in New Hampshire, Clinton now faces a major test: not to it in Nevada (Jan. 19), South Carolina (Jan. 26), and Super Tuesday (Feb. 5). That means loosening up, letting her personal side show more, and relying less on her husband to carry the message. That also means sharpening her questioning of Barack Obama: What does he mean by “change”? What change has he ever accomplished? Will he be ready to lead from day one?
Any questions?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Noel, it seems that sour
February 8, 2008 - 12:09 ET by Chris NormanNoel, it seems that sour grapes or retirement are the only conditions where we get any honesty from members of the media.
The one problem with this
February 8, 2008 - 12:11 ET by balboaThe one problem with this is that McCain came out of nowhere when he won the primaries, didn't he? No one was talking about McCain, and yet he wins. So how did that happen?
No, Balboa, the media was
February 8, 2008 - 12:23 ET by Chris NormanNo, Balboa, the media was talking plenty about him, all along. He wasn't expected by conservatives to win the primaries. That's a big difference.
I feel like I'm pretty
February 8, 2008 - 13:56 ET by balboaI feel like I'm pretty aware, and I don't remember anyone really talking McCain up at all. The story was McCain coming out of the blue.
Then you must not watch the
February 8, 2008 - 13:58 ET by Chris NormanThen you must not watch the news or are resorting (yet again) to disingenuousness.
Guess I don't watch enough
February 8, 2008 - 14:33 ET by balboaGuess I don't watch enough news. I get this "disingenuous" charge a lot, but I've never intentionally tried to do that.
Huh.
February 8, 2008 - 16:18 ET by Chris NormanHuh.
Nobody was talking about
February 8, 2008 - 14:13 ET by mattmNobody was talking about McCain? He's been the media's favorite republican for years. Where the hell have you been????
Good grief, if you're not going to have something pertinent to say, go away.
Thanks for that.
February 8, 2008 - 14:33 ET by balboaThanks for that.
You're welcome.
February 8, 2008 - 15:40 ET by mattmLook, I can deal with people disagreeing, but no one can deny that McCain is a media darling (or was) - unless they're totally ignorant, which I don't think you are.
So, I can only conclude that you're just stirring the pot. I can usually tolerate that, and even get a chuckle out of, but it gets old after awhile.
I don't deny McCain being a
February 8, 2008 - 15:42 ET by balboaI don't deny McCain being a media darling, but in the context of these primaries, I never heard him as a threat to win any of them, not even on these boards. Everyone talked about Mitt, and Huck, and Fred, and Ron Paul (OK, just sarcasmo on that one).
boa... You are right with
February 8, 2008 - 16:24 ET by bigtimerboa...
You are right with your above post here concerning the primaries regarding McCain...
I never in a million years thought we would end up with the msm darling McCain...ever.
BT, That was my point with
February 8, 2008 - 16:39 ET by Chris NormanBT,
That was my point with Balboa. No conservative could conceive that McCain had a chance to win (we must be like those media types who don't know anyone who votes Republican :)). However, the media talked up McCain as one of the front runners all along - even when he was flat on his back.
There IS a 'Step Three'
February 8, 2008 - 18:33 ET by Ten7sDon't worry, there's a 'Step Three' (that Bill Press failed to mention), after the 'field' is winnowed leaving but two, a lone (D) and a single (R), a 'Step' when the press begins to promote the (D) and denigrate the (R) at every and each opportunity, purblindly developing caricatures that will become the basis on which a disturbing percentage of the population will cast their votes.
one has to wonder if he
February 8, 2008 - 15:24 ET by motherbeltone has to wonder if he would write such a piece if Hillary was doing better on the campaign trail.
Metaphor alert!! LOL
Probably not, but it is kind of poetic justice that the Clinton campaign get hoist on their own petard, so to speak. Sauce for the goose.
And even if that's the only reason Press wrote this, the fact is that it caused him to see things from a different perspective.
And some things are true, even if an unofficial Clinton operative says them.
You gotta love it!
Obama on ending our expensive war on weed...
February 8, 2008 - 12:29 ET by sarcasmoMuch like his conservative-counterpart Fred Thompson on the pot/federalism/states'-rights issue, Barak Obama is a study in stealth, if not flip-flopping. As Fred himself wrote, Federalism is "something we all give lip service to and then proceed to ignore when it serves our purposes." I couldn't have said it better...
JMR
If this is winning, I think I'd rather lose...
THE LOSERS CLUB!!
February 8, 2008 - 12:40 ET by STANISZCHARLIE why mccain you ask? Simple, my friends it,s my turn and i know who ate the strawberries!! REAGAN=PICKS THE FIRST LIBERAL FOR HIS VEEP, because he was the chosen one and REAGAN WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO WIN. This kept old george around for later. He like mccain also counted on friends on other side of the aisle to work with him and he got the shaft from old rosty. Along comes Elvis and decimates old george because he had no, "B--LS" to unload on this con job. SO AFTER 8YRS., IN LIMBO and thinking it would be him again released from the cage he gets the shaft from the, The bushies WHO DID,NT HAVE THE GUTS TO GO AFTER THE CLINTON,S because they were told not to. AND WE WIND UP WITH jr., WHO DECIMATES THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT. WE NEED A 3RD PARTY, now!!.
Great Catch MB and Noel.
February 8, 2008 - 13:32 ET by dscottGreat Catch MB and Noel. Clinton spin machine exposed!
So here we have the Clinton spin machine trying get out from under the charges of bias by admitting the bias and then claiming they are the ones who are the victims of the bias! Can you say the word, PROJECTION! Talk about gravitas! This is like OJ titling his book, "IF I DID IT"
Thanks for playing Bill Press and Center for American Progress we now add you to the Clinton MSM Operatives List (you go to the top over Georgie boy):
Now looking at this growing list, does it really surprise anyone that Clinton Operatives are in the position to influence the election outcome by the methods they just admitted to doing using Projection? Are you paying attention Obama fans? Because these people are in the background subtly advancing Clintons agenda at your expense not just ours.
In fact, we need to start the game in ernest of Where's Waldo with the other Clinton Operatives in the MSM, who would like to play? Post your findings here on this thread.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
NFL?
February 8, 2008 - 12:59 ET by iveseenitallInstead of investigating who's cheating in the NFL, Congress should be looking at the entire nominating process. It's run by the few,for the few. But what's new there.This is no longer a government (or a media) for the people. We need change, alright. But it's not going to come from the Democrats or the Republicans. Too many people are leading the good life at the expense of everyone else.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
He complains about the
February 8, 2008 - 13:18 ET by mattmHe complains about the media picking the nominees (as if that's a new thing) and then he attempts to do that very thing. Typical.
As to the John McCain
February 8, 2008 - 13:34 ET by maggieqpublicAs to the John McCain ascendency…. the media had an assist from Republican politicians and other members of the party establishment (endorsements from Senator Martinez, Governor Crist, Rudy Giuliani, Governor Schwarzenegger, et.al.). From the weekend before the Florida Primary and continuing up to Super Tuesday, my visual recollection is of seeing John McCain standing around with his “important” endorsers. The eleventh-hour endorsements garnered enormous media attention…. all taking place before the vast majority of Republican primary voters had the chance to cast a ballot.
That’s politics? OK, it is, but I would prefer that the Republican elite defer to their own primary voters….. or endorse earlier (or later) in a primary campaign so that the endorsement does not create a sensationalist moment just before the votes are cast.
You are so right, maggie
February 8, 2008 - 16:03 ET by Scout FinchAll of the above named were way to quick to jump in and endorse McCain. Any notice how few Democrats have endorsed either of their candidates?
It made my head spin to see how fast Giuliani, Schwarzenegger et al showered McCain with their support.
And “thank you” Fred
February 9, 2008 - 01:41 ET by maggieqpublicAnd “thank you” Fred Thompson and Jeb Bush for avoiding the cattle call of the political opportunists.
How soon until the media
February 8, 2008 - 13:37 ET by Clear thinkerHow soon until the media goes after Press for telling the truth?
The Conservative movement is about to be reborn.
Apocryphal John
February 8, 2008 - 13:45 ET by LCT688Well it appears the usurpation of the Republican Party is all but complete. Give McCain credit where credit is due. He took a small minority branch of the party and combined it with a lot of “independent” and “crossover” voters, i.e. non-party members, manipulated the primary process into small plurality votes in “winner take all” states and now appears to have the nomination locked up in a well played numbers game.
As McCain basks in the glow of his perceived victorious usurpation, busying himself blowing smoke in his CPAC speech, Senator Ried of Nevada has revealed, either deliberately or inadvertently, the Democrats plan of attack against McCain.
We can forget all this Obama as the new JFK crap. Be it Billary or Obama , it’s going to be a replay of the LBJ campaign. Ironically casting the Apocryphal John as the new Barry Goldwater, mad, unstable, not a man to be trusted with the reins of power in a time of war. As piteous as this tactic may be, in this case they may just be right. The thought of Billary in the role of LBJ is however beyond frightening.
Over the course of his career McCain has gone out of his way to be ill tempered if not down right offensive to the any and all that would dare stand to the right of him on far too many issues. Apocryphal John has burned those bridges and they cannot be rebuilt with soothing rhetoric and empty pledges as to his “conservative” credentials. Given all the conversation in the air concerning the profound dissatisfaction of rank and file Republicans over the prospect of McCain’s victory it would seem at this point the fall campaign is doomed to failure. Unless of course the RNC, the rank and file leadership of the Party grows some hair, and declare McCain as not simply apocryphal but apostate, and refuse to seat his delegates when the convention starts, in essence booting him from the Party. As painful and tumultuous as trimming the rotted branch from the tree of the party would be it we be less painful and have a shorter recovery process than the deep festering wound that is presented by McCain as the standard barer leading the party not just to a humiliating defeat, but severely compromising the very principles that the other 80% of the membership holds dear and McCain holds in distain.
The political primary process in this election cycle has so far proven itself to be full of unforeseen twists and turns and unexpected events. I don’t think it’s over yet.
"A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one."
Alexander Hamilton
I'll prepare myself for the
February 8, 2008 - 14:22 ET by maggieqpublicI'll prepare myself for the 21st century version of Lyndon Johnson's daisy ad.
You can bet on it
February 8, 2008 - 15:38 ET by LCT688You can bet that the Clinton machine has that and more in store for Apocryphal John. The LBJ "Daisy" commercial will pale in comaparison.
"A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master and deserves one."
Alexander Hamilton
That's exactly why the
February 8, 2008 - 16:07 ET by Scout FinchThat's exactly why the Clintons and their willing servants in the media wanted McCain. He is so obviously a flawed man and a flawed candidate. I just can't understand why so many Republicans didn't see that one coming.
That's because the
February 8, 2008 - 16:46 ET by dscottThat's because the Rope-A-Dope strategy works so well on Repubs. <that would be a triple SARCASM> How could Clinton MSM Operatives resist.
Lord Sidious / Darth Vader 2008 Long Live the Empire! Come to the Dark Side, it is your Destiny.
LBJ was a little before my
February 8, 2008 - 17:09 ET by red_dragon311LBJ was a little before my time ....what is the "Dasiy" commercial??
"Get off the phone you big dope!!!!!!!!!!" Mark Levin
Click here
February 8, 2008 - 17:29 ET by Scout FinchFor the daisy ad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKs-bTL-pRg
McHuck Supporters Were Duped
February 8, 2008 - 13:59 ET by deerjerkydaveYep, the liberal media played the McHuck supporters like a fiddle. And now we're stuck with the preferred candidate of the left. The irony is that a lot of the people who voted for McCain in the primary will probably vote for Hillary or Obama in the general. McCain will be left with nobody to support him, no conservatives AND no moderates. He is going to lose BADLY in November.
I can see the point that conservatives need to hold their noses and vote McCain in November, but I'm afraid that it is a losing battle. Ultimately there is no way a Republican can win by acting like a Democrat.
some would beg to differ
February 8, 2008 - 14:45 ET by lotrNARAL Gives John McCain 96% Pro-Life Voting Record on Abortion Issues
Some Democrat...
There are plenty of pro-life
February 8, 2008 - 15:42 ET by mattmThere are plenty of pro-life Democrats.
If there are that many
February 8, 2008 - 16:32 ET by Dan The Man 2If there are that many surely they will be represented by the party at their convention? I guess they have grown in recent years becasue in tehpast none of them have been represented. Perhaps you mean the animals, the poor animals PETA wants to save from being eaten?
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
But not one who is a
February 8, 2008 - 18:15 ET by lotrBut not one who is a presidential contender on the national stage, (which is the context here) -- not now or in the foreseeable future; not in 2004, 2000, 1996 or 1992 (before that I would have to research). Even the so-called pro-war "conservative" Lieberman is pro-choice. Abortion is now the litmus test for the Democratic Party, the crown-jewel, or as Ann Coulter put it, the Sacrament. They are not even remotely pro-life, indeed, they are radically pro-abortion, as demonstrated by Barack "let-the-abortus-die-on-the-table" Obama.
Press? Idiot Deluxe
February 8, 2008 - 14:15 ET by Del DolemonteDon't forget that Bill Pull was totally duped by the fake "Lovenstein Institute" hoax from a few years back. As with Dan Rather and the fake ANG files, Bill assumed it was true because he so badly wanted it to be so:
http://www.snopes.co...
Bill Press is a shill
February 8, 2008 - 14:52 ET by Lame CherryThe only reason Press is whining is the same reason Kenny Rogers whines that his songs don't get played on the radio when some crotch queen's does as she is sexy and he is just old.
Press loved it when Bill was being pampered by the media and all those candidates like.........Gephardt bit the dust. Now that he owes his job to another Clinton Broadcasting sub station, he decides it is time the media are not playing nice.
Press is still a liar and a shill as the MSM does nothing, not one thing without the absolute funding and permission of the cartel which runs the United States.
Press thought he signed onto the winning Hillary, but the Clintons flipped too many people the bird, especially the cartel when Bill stole "all their uranium out of Kazhakistan".
It was never covered here, but I watched intently Tom Daschle in this last year as he "weighed" to run or not. This dupe carried the Clinton's water like a humiliated castrated eunich and Hillary bitch slapped him and dismissed him.
Daschle reading the political tide from his handlers jumped on Obama's bandwagon and the rest is becoming history.
I informed NB here that a coup was taking place against Hillary last year and it has only started. They want to do it so she is not humiliated nor has to withdraw, so they keep the race tight but the cartel will sink her and she knows it.
The largest problem is Obama is such a poor candidate even with a millstone about her neck, he can not knock out Hillary.
If Obama did though, he has Patrick Fitzgerald there to indict him on fraud charges.
It all cleared up when the McCainster sealed the liberal deal as that was intended. Now the cartel has McCain running the GOP for their globalist agenda, Obama who can not win and might just be replaced if McCain does not bow far enough to all demands..........and Al Gore waiting to take the DNC super delegates or even our good comrade Mike Bloomberg.
Toss in Huckster world order boy Huckabee and there is not one American in the race.
I will keep posting here in pressing for Lynn Cheney, even if she does American Enterprise Institute which is screwing up the Middle East for a war, she is at least Conservative and I trust hubby Dick, so I trust her to look out for Conservative issues.
Give me Lynn and I vote for McCain holding my nose, keeping my keyboard wired up to email my Senators and Reps to thwart any goofy mad cap things he might pull........and I can deal with him.
But Press has only complained now that he is odd panty looking in.......he loved it when Hillary was the same darling 6 months ago and the kooks were not getting the press.
Give me Lynn Cheney and give me that little tape on YouTube of Hillary with her assistant........a spoonful of sugar makes the McCanmed go down easier.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Bill Press....same ol' same
February 8, 2008 - 15:16 ET by bigtimerBill Press....same ol' same ol'...
Very glad for the connections being mentioned again with CAP and the Clintoons for those who may not know.
...and the beat goes on...
I argued about this months
February 8, 2008 - 15:20 ET by rbosqueI argued about this months ago. All the media has to do is focus on the candidates they like and presto! The sheeple vote them in. The NYT loves McCain. No surprise here.
I wonder if Fairness
February 8, 2008 - 15:43 ET by ArmedDadI wonder if Fairness Doctrine advocate Press will demand that CAP give equal air time to opposing viewpoints?
Well, Duh . . .
February 8, 2008 - 16:46 ET by Junk Science Skeptic"Yes, somewhere along the line, the role of the media has changed from reporting on the primaries to deciding the primaries.
They pick their favorites, they give them preferential treatment, they
tear down their opponents, and they anoint their winning candidates
even before voters have a chance to go to the polls."
Gee, who'da thunk?
A virtually unknown Huckster from Hope goes from total obscurity to the #2 GOP candidate in the space of 120 days . . . Nah, there's no media pimping going on here, move along folks.
An "always a bridesmaid" third tier candidate who couldn't win a seriously opposed competition for office, regardless of his ideology, is now the de facto GOP nominee. Nope, no media involvement here.
The first GOP hopeful to announce, Duncan Hunter, subjected to a total media blackout, perhaps because he didn't have enough skeletons in his closet. Nope, that was just a coincidence.
Immigration, which has been a problem for nearly 50 years, and hasn't changed a speck in nearly 25 years, suddenly becomes a darling topic in the media just ahead of the 06 elections. Since when has the media given a flying *&^% about an issue important to conservatives? Perhaps since they became afraid that too many Hispanics were voting GOP? Perhaps since they knew immigration could be turned into a wedge issue to factionalize GOP voters? Nah, the media took a sudden interest in a half-century old problem purely as a public service, right?
The GOP needs to get some leadership, the far right wing of the GOP needs to get a grip on reality or go join the Constitution Party, and mainstream GOP voters need to wake up and realize that leadership of the free world isn't about such petty little issues as one's choice of diety or bed partner, but rather, the fight between freedom and totalitarianism, and the fight between capitalism and socialism.
ABC 2008 (Anybody But Clinton)
Accident
February 8, 2008 - 19:24 ET by JimmybobIt's an accident, but they said it right this time. The MSM did pick.
We the people, are starting to be irrelevant in the process.
Again, this goes to my theory
February 8, 2008 - 20:51 ET by FastEdthat there are NO journalists in the msm(Lsm). Journalism is being done here, with old school "who, what, where, when", and NOT pushing an AGENDA. Unfortunately, most people don't know the difference.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
For some REAL fun, try going
February 9, 2008 - 01:09 ET by ConservativeRexFor some REAL fun, try going to McCain's website, and read the blogs.
CR... That does sound
February 9, 2008 - 01:14 ET by bigtimerCR...
That does sound verrry interesting and possible fun...I wished I didn't have to get pretty quick, but I will try to remember after my coffee ect. to check into this...it ought to be a blast!