Mike Mullen, Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates
(Image by Photo credit: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff / Flickr) Details DMCA
Following a rough night in five East coast primaries, Bernie Sanders's path to the Democratic nomination is now more narrow and steep than it has ever been. But are these votes truly a referendum on who voters think the best candidate is -- or are they merely a reflection of what the corporate media wants Democrats to think?
In our critique of the media, we tend to focus on The New York Times, because it purports to be the gold standard for journalism, and because others look to the paper for coverage guidance. But the same critique could be applied to The Washington Post, Politico, CNN, and most other leading outfits.
In prior articles, we noted how the Times helped Clinton walk away with most of the African-American vote -- and therefore victory in many states -- by essentially hiding Sanders'scomparably far more impressive record on civil rights.
We also noted how it seemed that every little thing the Clinton camp did right was billboarded, while significant victories against great odds by Sanders were minimized.
These are truly the kinds of decisions that determine the "conventional wisdom," which in turn so often determines outcomes.
But there is more -- and it is even more disturbing. Clinton's principal reason to claim she is so qualified to be president -- aside from being First Lady and senator -- is her four years as Secretary of State.
What kind of a legacy did she leave? Perhaps her principal role was to push for military engagement -- more soldiers in existing conflicts, and new wars altogether. WhoWhatWhy has written about these wars and their dubiousbasis.
Wars are good business for Wall Street, for corporations in general, and for others who have been friendly to her and her campaign.
Why was this never a bigger issue? Why was this not front and center with New York voters, a traditionally liberal group with a strong antipathy toward war and militarism? Certainly Sanders tried to bring up this issue, and doesn't seem to have succeeded. But mostly, this was a failure of the media, whose job it is to shine a strong spotlight.
And why did The New York Times wait until two days after the New York primary to publish its biggest piece on this, when it could no longer influence that key contest? (It appeared first on its website and later in its Sunday magazine.)
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