January 12, 2008
By jorogo
Media blackouts and biased coverage of Edwards derails beneficial discourse on the important issues we face.
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How do you damage a campaign? The corporate MSM knows: Get like-minded people to eat their own with a divisive issue.
Rasmussen Reports' polling shows Edwards' national support down from a high of 23% on January 6, the day before Clinton's show of emotion and Edwards' response to a question about it, to 15% on the 10th. The rush to be a supporter of a perceived winner is always in play, but there could be more than that influencing such a sharp decline.
Edwards' poor performance in New Hampshire's primary had been attributed by some pundits to his remarks about Clinton's emotional moment, but the real cause may be a layer shallower than that. Voters were more likely turned off by their exposure to widespread hyperbolic rhetoric characterizing his remarks as sexist.
Even respected progressive bloggers have participated in the MSM method of degradation - Taking key situations and carefully selected quotes, adding a bit of inflammatory opinion, and creating a context that engages our most intense and conflicted emotions, thus manufacturing a dirty little docu-drama - part truth, part fiction, part theatrics.
From ABC news Political Radar's original story, on line January 7:
"Edwards, speaking at a press availability in Laconia, New Hampshire, offered little sympathy and pounced on the opportunity to bring into question Clinton's ability to endure the stresses of the presidency. Edwards responded, 'I think what we need in a commander-in-chief is strength and resolve, and presidential campaigns are tough business, but being president of the United States is also tough business.'"
Authors Bio:Single, disoriented iconoclast with empathy for all who are abused in the name of global corporatization.
I like Vonnegut to escape, but usually prefer the stunning outrage of reality.
Zappa speaks to me from beyond the grave.
I eat mostly organic veggies and whatever fish I figure I can risk, but have yet to find safe potato chips. (please advise)