Kurtz Calls Media's Obamamania A 'Giddy Sense of Boosterism'

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By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
November 17, 2008 - 01:04 ET
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Like those of us on the right who are positively nauseated by the seemingly endless Obama-lovin' from a media that months ago abdicated any journalistic integrity, the Washington Post's Howard Kurtz appears stunned by his colleagues' behavior.

In a piece entitled "A Giddy Sense of Boosterism," Kurtz attacked the press's "mythmaking" asking if journalists are "fostering the notion that Obama is invincible."

After listing some of the truly egregious examples of this insufferable sycophancy, Kurtz admonished his industry (emphasis added):

What's troubling here goes beyond the clanging of cash registers. Media outlets have always tried to make a few bucks off the next big thing. The endless campaign is over, and there's nothing wrong with the country pulling together, however briefly, behind its new leader. But we seem to have crossed a cultural line into mythmaking. [...]

Are journalists fostering the notion that Obama is invincible, the leader of what the New York Times dubbed "Generation O"?

Each writer, each publication, seems to reach for more eye-popping superlatives. [...]

There is always a level of excitement when a new president is coming to town -- new aides to profile, new policies to dissect, new family members to follow. But can anyone imagine this kind of media frenzy if John McCain had managed to win?

Obama's days of walking on water won't last indefinitely.

I'm not sure I agree, Howard, for the media made Obama into this messiah. If they tear him down even the smallest peg, it would be a castigation of their own pathetic behavior.

What's the likelihood of that?

—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.


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Obamamania

November 17, 2008 - 01:25 ET by merlin61

I don't think its going to take long after he takes

office for his Obamaship to come tumbling down.

Maybe he can make great speeches, but he says

nothing and knows nothing and that, my dear

friends is what we're going to find out.    He

is an empty suit-no nothing and if you think

Biden makes gaffes, you ain't seen nothing yet.

The "messiah" is gonna out Biden , Biden.

Noel the only hope would be

November 17, 2008 - 01:27 ET by dark_ds

"I'm not sure I agree, Howard, for the media made Obama into this messiah. If they tear him down even the smallest peg, it would be a castigation of their own pathetic behavior.

What's the likelihood of that?"

The only hope would be ..

  • The press wakes up from the magic dust and the fog lifts from their eyes and they peak behind the curtain
  • The media sees that their creation is messing up the country in ways that even they cant imagine,  then do the right thing and drain the swamp water that Obama walks on
  • The management of the MSM sees that their ratings and income are down and to spice things up create headlines by actually doing their job.  They do like to build up and bring down people, it boosts their egos by showing how powerful they imagine themselves to be.
  • If they did wake up .. they would just have to throw a few reporters or talking heads under the sacrificial bus driven by Dan Rather

 I'm sorry but I can't

November 17, 2008 - 03:37 ET by Slickster

 I'm sorry but I can't take anymore of this, if you are offended too bad. Obama and the MSM are nothing but leftist shitheads.

I feel better now.

Obamunism

November 17, 2008 - 06:45 ET by Forbus

Hey Howie....welcome to the party, pal.

Well as Chris Matthews

November 17, 2008 - 07:00 ET by motherbelt

Well as Chris Matthews said, it's their "job" to make sure his Presidency is a success.

I went to the YouTube of Matthews saying that, and the thing that absolutely floored me was his saying right after that, that "this country needs a successful Presidency."

Holy Cow, Chris! Where have you been for 8 years??? Only NOW we need a successful Presidency????

Obama is far up on that

November 17, 2008 - 21:04 ET by msh1973

Obama is so far up on that pedestal the only place left for him to go is down.

Everything to Lose

November 17, 2008 - 08:08 ET by flyingmonkey

The morons in the MSM will lose what little credibility they have left if Obama is a bust. So be prepared for non-stop adoration for the next four years along with, "It's Bush's Fault" everytime something goes wrong.

When Obama crashes, he and the MSM will both be run out of town on a rail.

It won't stop.

November 17, 2008 - 08:46 ET by supercon

The media created the Obama myth and now they have to make it work.They've gone too far too turn back now.I cannot imagine a scenario where someone like Chris Matthews,Andrea Mitchell or Tom Brokaw would ever openly critcize the Ossiah.Any failure he may experience will be excused away as something he could not control or blamed on Republicans who oppose him.

They did the same thing with Bill Clinton even as he was being impeached. They blamed it on the Republicans.Even his affair with Monica was not his fault as she was stalking him.

The old media is dead as a credible unbiased source of news.The cheerleading that you saw wasn't some temporary glitch but the new standard of reporting.They belong to the DNC now.

They are no longer content with staying on the sidelines as an observer and now inject themselves into their reporting as if somehow the story is different because they were there.

Believe me.They haven't yet begun to suck up. When Barack is finally inaugurated it will be like heaven for them and you may even see Chris Matthews tear up a little.They will defend Obama like a mother bear with her cubs.

Two things will occur

November 17, 2008 - 08:14 ET by kdizzydaze

First - ratings for the MSM will sag more and more as citizens tire of the Obamamaniacs and their incessant ass-kissing.  Plus, when Obama blames Bush's "failed policies" for his own failings the MSM and many of his blind followers will be thrilled, but the other weak minded adolescents and aged who voted for "the one" based on his ability to walk on water and heal the sick will begin to wonder why he is unable to live up to his billing as savior.  They will question and then begin to wonder why they were sold a bill of goods - anger will follow.  and just wait to watch how they respond to being called a racist for turning on Barry O.   Fun stuff soon come.

Two - Everybody is going to get that most needed Econ/Finance 101 lesson that this country so desparately needs. 

A lengthy civics lesson should be a mandatory follow up. 

An uninformed electorate will be this country's downfall, huh?  So how about we inform them.

 

God made man, but he used a monkey to do it  -- DEVO

Tar and Feathers anyone?

November 17, 2008 - 08:21 ET by littlemissmuffin

 Here's a situation that desperately calls for tar and feathers.  Run the MSM out of town on a rail!

 

"If we conservatives moved to those seven non-existent States, the government couldn’t find us and tax us to death!"

David Grgory

November 17, 2008 - 08:35 ET by Seashell

I am eager to see how the reporters approach the press briefings with Gibbs.  I wonder if David Gregory will ask those hard hitting questions of Gibbs and he did Tony Snow?????

Don't Be On The Defensive

November 17, 2008 - 08:47 ET by flyingmonkey

A true conservative would not support the lying liberal media. The print media is on the ropes with declining circulation and ad sales. Lets get their attention and shut them down.

BOYCOTT YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER!!! 

TO ALL THOSE IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA - BOYCOTT THE KANSAS CITY STAR.

Can we do it?  YES WE CAN!!!

Wallpaper

November 17, 2008 - 09:27 ET by doug1950

The MSM can wallpaper over a lot of his administrations mistakes and most likely will for a very long time. After all, they have plenty of newspapers lying around they can't sell to use for wallpaper. It is doubtful they will ever admit to being in the tank for him or go to much effort to expose problems. Many of the people he signing on to be in his admin are old Clinton and Carter foot soldiers and long time operatives from the DNC. So much for change. I actually hope I am wrong as the country is at stake here but I am planning otherwise.

Oh brother! He's stating the obvious!

November 17, 2008 - 10:19 ET by Mary Louise Turner

Where has Mr. Kurtz been?!  Ever since the primary season, when the media first fell for the "Messiah", we've been subject to some of the most egregious cheerleading for a candidate I've ever seen in my life.  Once the media began its toadying, Mrs. Clinton and Mr. McCain were doomed. 

I offer you this warning, NB posters.  If you thought the election season was bad, Inauguration Day promises to be even worse.  Reach for the barf bags, ladies and gentlemen.   

 

I refuse to watch

November 17, 2008 - 16:14 ET by choselife3x

I didn't watch his acceptance speech, I didn't watch the press conference and I change the radio station when I hear his name or voice. I come to this site for news and I follow the links you guys post and that is it. It simultaneously sickens me and breaks my heart to know that our country chose 'That One'. As far as I am concerned it is a Judgement from God on our country. The blood of 40 million babies cries out to God against us. If I were God I sure would be pissed.

In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.

clx3... I could not agree

November 17, 2008 - 16:19 ET by bigtimer

clx3...

I could not agree more.

I do not plan on watching either.

I still am not watching msnbc of CNN since the election, can't do it yet.

"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh

Have to agree- Obama is a

November 17, 2008 - 16:21 ET by Tim the Enchanter

Have to agree- Obama is a judgement on our country.  We cannot continue to egregiously offend God and assume He will continue to stand by and do nothing.  God is Infinite Love, Infinite Mercy and Infinite Justice, but he is not Infinite Patience.  However, I believe we will be chastened and punished, but not destroyed, since the Holy Sacrifice continues to be offered in this country.

for 10 righteous men

November 17, 2008 - 18:04 ET by choselife3x

Sodom would have been spared. While I don't think we'll be destroyed I do think that the nation has rejected God, and therefore His protection, by choosing the leader they did. No one truly believes he's a Christian. Everything he says he stands for runs counter to Scripture, common sense, and simple human decency. Get ready for the Islamic fundamentalists to descend on this country. The 'Sword of Allah' indeed.
Smoke 'em if you got 'em.

In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.