The MSM hasn't given OBAMA a "Free" ride; they just want to you to think that they did.

First, let's see where Obama currently stands--

Obama has raised more money than any other candidate running in a primary, ever.
Obama's rallies have been attracting crowds larger in attendance than anyone has seen in decades--we are talking about 10,000 to 20,000 a pop. That's been going on since early last year.
Obama has won 11 contests in a row, many by very large margins.
Hillary has won zero contests since February 5th.
Obama is ahead of Hillary in popular vote count by nearly 1,000,000 votes
Obama is ahead of Hillary in the number of contests won; caucuses as well as Primaries.
Obama is ahead of Hillary by approx 150 delegates (if not more)
Barack Obama has been able to achieve these fantastic victories, no less, against an established candidate who was considered inevitable....and who's husband is the last Democratic 2 term President.

So considering that he's been able to beat back the Clintons in a phenomenal way, you'd think that Obama would have gotten good press since, at least, February 5th....and that reporting on Hillary should really deal with why is she still there?

So the question remains, has Obama gotten a free ride from the media?

To date, none of the big Media channels has provided us with information on what Barack Obama's accomplishments are since he started running for President. There are many accomplishments, and in effect he has been much more "effective" at accomplishing "doing stuff" than Hillary has, but somehow, the media allows the meme that Barack has not accomplished much to remain.

Here's some of what he's done: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4723451

Here's some of what they have reported on: http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&fg=rss&vid=c21ac081-9f5a-4d7e-88cf-a8196ef1f218&from=05

To date, none of the big Media channels have challenged Hillary Clinton to provide more information about her resume than simply allowing her to state that she has had 35 years of experience (working for the Children's Defense fund for less than a year out of college).

To date, none of the big Media channels have highlighted the fact that Hillary Clinton has borrowed words directly from Obama. That she has been using "Yes we Can" and "Fired up". They have also neglected to mention that Obama theme of Change has been the same since he first ran for office in 1995. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4751339

To date, the media continues to talk about the Democratic voters in segments (which favors Hillary Clinton anytime race can be brought into the conversation), even though Obama has beaten her in every category there was except for White Women over 60 years old.

The media made sure that we saw Hillary's little tirade about Flyers over and over again on Saturday. They only showed Obama's response via news conference a couple of times.

In addition, when items like "the Snub", and the plagiarism were highlighted the MSM, Obama side of things were not put into proper context at the time that it was reported on. The pic showing him with his body turned didn't provide the other "Views" that if they had been seen initially, there would have been no "snub" discussion by the pundits to begin with. Ditto with the plagiarism charges. The MSM forgot to "find" footage of Hillary saying "yes we can" or "I'm fired up and ready to go". They blew up the fact that Obama had taken only a few words from Duval Patrick (cause most of what is in the video are public domain quotes from MLK, FDR, etc.).....but didn't readily report on the fact that most of Hillary's last debating line was lifted too.


Now, let's look at this little poll, that CNN was running yesterday today:


Now, it is no longer up....but ask yourself why a news agency would do this?
What does it take to be a proper "patriot"? What does one have to do?

Let's review why this is even being asked? and yes, MSNBC and AP are doing it too.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23315711/

Let's ask ourselves why this is being asked of Sen. Obama and not Sen. Clinton and Sen. McCain:

1. Obama has a funny name and his father was African and was born a Muslim, although he wasn't no longer a Muslim when Obama was born. Obama's mother was not a Muslim.
2. Obama didn't put his hand over his heart when singing the National Anthem

3. Obama doesn't wear a Flag Pin.
4. Obama's wife mentioned that she was really proud of her country for once referring to the political process that she was witnessing.
5. There some emails going around raising the issue of Obama's patriotism.

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Here is what Journalists should be looking up (like I did), and this is what the MSM should be reporting on.

No, they should not be putting up stupid polls and non stories.

Obama Pledging allegiance to the flag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svo9mutE6TM

and another instance of Obama Pledging Allegiance to the flag
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/anthem.asp


Obama Voted To Require Pledge Of Allegiance Recital Requirement. Obama voted to require the Pledge of Allegiance to be recited each school day by students in secondary education institutions receiving public funds. <92nd GA, SB 1634, 3/7/02, 3R P; 54-0-0; P.A. 92-0612, 7/3/02; 92nd GA, HB 2077, 11/28/01, 3R P; 56-0-0>

Letter from Generals supporting Obama and their take on his patriotism
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/GeneralPledgeLetter.pdf


Obama Had Not Worn A Flag Pin For Years, Said Patriotism Resided In The Heart And Not The Lapel. The Chicago Tribune reported, "His campaign, sensing the issue was dominating campaign news, had earlier made clear he had not worn such a pin for years. 'I'm less concerned about what you are wearing on your lapel than what's in your heart,' he said under a county fairgrounds pavilion here, a giant American flag draped behind him. 'You show your patriotism by how you treat your fellow Americans, especially those ones who served.' He suggested that some politicians who wear such pins act in disingenuous ways. 'After a while, you know, you start noticing people wearing a lapel pin, but not acting very patriotic, not voting to provide veterans with the resources that they need,' he said."

...A SENTIMENT ECHOED BY MILITARY BRASS AND THE DES MOINES REGISTER
Danzig, McPeak, Gration: "Barack Obama Is A Patriot." "'Senator Obama's attackers are peddling lies and smears because they disagree with his strong opposition to the war in Iraq and the rush to war in Iran,' wrote Richard Danzig, secretary of the Navy under President Bill Clinton, and
retired Gens. Merrill "Tony" McPeak and J. Scott Gration. 'We have served this nation for decades, and we know a true patriot when we see one. Barack Obama is a patriot.'"

General McPeak: Patriotism Is Hard Work; Pin Flap Is Business As Usual, Obama Wants To Turn The Page. When asked on a conference call about Obama no longer wearing an American flag pin, General Tony McPeak said, "'This business about the lapel pin, I think the senator understands that patriotism is hard work...If you could just do it by placing a flag on your lapel, that would be pretty easy.' McPeak then dismissed the flag flap as 'petty symbolism.' 'This pin flap is kind of business as usual. Isn't that the old politics, the gotcha politics,' he said. 'Barack stands for turning the page. Let's do something substantial here.'"

Des Moines Register: Obama Was Right About Wearing The Flag Pin And True Patriotism. The Des Moines Register wrote in an editorial, "When we searched eBay for "flag lapel pins," the Web site returned more than 400 hits. With shipping as low as 60 cents, buyers can have a little nugget of patriotism delivered right to their doors. Following 9/11, these small pins could be found on nearly every politician. Over time, the novelty wore off, and people tucked the pins in drawers (or sold them online). Still, when a reporter in Iowa asked presidential candidate Barack Obama why he wasn't wearing a pin, it turned into a national news story. The pin, Obama said, "became a substitute for I think true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security. I decided I won't wear that pin on my chest."

He rightly noted that some people wearing lapel pins don't act very patriotic. Staff from other campaigns criticized him. One political analyst said the absence of the pin might hurt him politically. Reporters started asking other candidates about the whereabouts of their pins. Perhaps in an image-fixated world, a flag secured to one's lapel speaks louder than words or actions. But Obama is right. It shouldn't."



Does obama pledge allegiance to the flag?

I do not endorse Senator Obama for President, but I think spreading tales that are not true is disgraceful. Senator Obama is on record at various times leading the Senate in the Pledge of Allegiance. Here's an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC9veEouqqQ.

The event from which the famous photo was taken was the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, as can be seen here: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3759803.

Senator Obama is vulnerable on a variety of policy stances and on his record, so why should Americans participate in a smear campaign based on a lie?
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Does_obama_pledge_allegiance_to_the_flag
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Barack Obama Refused To Say Pledge of Allegiance? Someone Lied To You
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/barack-obama-refused-to-say-the-pledge-of-allegiance-youve-been-played-for-a-daggone-fool/

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Read the comments found in reference to that CNN poll by posters (Obama supporters) over at politico as they are illuminating! http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0208/CNNs_question_Obamas_patriotism.html

To conclude; The media has not been on Barack's side at any point, IMO....and they are not on his side now. Anything that Barack has accomplished, he has earned; it was not given. The MSM pushed Hillary on us for an entire year. It wasn't until Barack won Iowa, that he was given his proper dues....

Furthermore, The SLN debate skit was not accurate in any way and was not a satire, but rather, it was made up shit. In reality, Barack was not "Fawned" over by anyone on the debate team of reporters, nor was he asked questions that were any different from the questions asked for Hillary Clinton.

Starting before Bill Clinton's Fairytale comments that the media had not been "hard enough" on Barack Obama, the media have actually been derelict in their duties, and in particular CNN (Clinton News Network). And no, Hillary hasn't been getting favorable reporting recently....but why should she? She hasn't "done" anything that would merit that she does.

:spray:

(And I say that as someone who actively opposed the "Muslim" email by sending rebuttals to a couple hundred people on the list attached to the email.)

--p!

You may have a comment, but the question in your heading is unrequired....as that is my explicit premise. Picked on is not the proper reference that I am making. I am saying that he has not gotten a free ride. There is a difference.

Think.......Why else would Huckabee stay in the race? He certainly is not "pushing" or campaigning with a win in mind. He is in there to keep republicans entertained and motivated to cross-over voting for OBAMA. Obama has nothing in his resume to compete with McCain.

Use your thinking cap. Look at where he is visiting...Ohio where is is open for all to vote, and he is visiting republican strong holds...Like Mason, Ohio near Cincinnati near Kings Island. Red, Red, Red.......whats the message, go ahead, vote for Obama and make the vote actually help the party.

ever become President....which is why you don't get the arguments as to why this one can.

self-delete

a 'free ride'. I do think that up to
a certain point, he has been handled
with 'kid gloves' by the media. This
may have or may have not been due to
media fears of being labled 'racist' for
'picking on' the African-American candidate.

just throw in your 2 cents without reading it?

I was half-way agreeing with
the OP that people saying Obama
got a 'free-ride' were not correct.
The rest of my post was a
maybe or maybe not theory.
Don't try to make it something
it is not.

Obama has not been let to slide.

Let me know what it is that he should have gotten "slammed" for that he did not?

Thanks.

I do not think he has gotten a free ride.
I said I thought he had gotten a kid glove treatment.
When, at any point did I say he should have gotten
slammed? I did not, and I do not think any politician
should get 'slammed', if they are wrong, present the
facts in the media...not the spin according to who they
support.
Even when someone makes points to support your OP but,
does not agree 1000%, you spin it and come up with 'I
think he should have gotten slammed'?
It's either ALL OBAMA ALL OF THE TIME with you or they
are against him. I get it, you need no support from me
for Obama.

I do not believe that I was being rude to you.

I was debating the issue with you....but I was not being disrespectful.

from my post to saying I think Obama
needed to be slammed for something.
That was rude to read into my post something
that was not there and then accuse me of it.
Debating is not accusing others of saying
things they did not say.

"Let me know what it is that he should have gotten "slammed" for that he did not?

...guess was me reading that the opposite of that would be one getting Slammed.

Guess that's how I took the leap.

'it may have or may have not been'.
As far as the 'kid gloves' statement,
it was more in reference to the fact
that bad press is the norm for Clinton,
Heck, most people expect it but, Obama
has not got the same amount of bad press.
Granted he has not been 'in the game' as
long but, give him time and he will get his
fair share of negative press, be it deserved
or not.
I also stated that I thought no politician
should be 'slammed' by the media without hard
facts and no-spin.

"deleric" in their duties should be DERELICT

guess I'm a bit more confident than I should be.

Ands it's pretty dramatic.

See for yourself:

http://www.journalism.org/node/8187

Of course, if he gets the nomination sewn up, that's going to change just as dramatically.

How the campaign deals with the damage control- he hasn't really had to yet, may swing the election. If they're determined to take the high road like Kerry and Gore, it'll be the same result in the end.

"To conclude; The media has not been on Barack's side at any point,"
That's the silliest thing ever posted to DU, and that's quite an accomplishment.
The MSM has been on their knees before Obama for months. They've not only given him a free ride, they climbed on board his SwiftObamaboat to help him smear the Clintons on Race in SC.

Anyone arguing that Obama has gotten "a pass" from the media is delusional.

After so many big losses in a row, anyone else would have have forfeited the mantle of "Viable Candidate".