Big Media Double Standards - DUers Buy In - Ignore The Ground Game

Here is a good article on media matters discussing the bias at work in the media. On this board, I see criticism of Obama when he ridicules McCain, because DUers say that the ridicule comes off as "arrogant and elitist." However, when Mccain ridicules Obama, many DUers praise such techniques as hitting the gut and connecting on an emotional level.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200808010008?f=h_latest

Is there any difference? No. The only difference is the spin given and repeated by Big Media. Big Media, of course, never acknowledges the double standard it applies to Democrats versus Republicans. Likewise, DUers who advocate that the Democrats adopt Karl Rove tactics always ignore that Big Media is not a passive conduit or that Big Media is economically interested in the outcome of the election due to the FCC.

So, yes, Obama needs to continue to battle in Big Media. However, it is a big mistake to assume that some clever ad or strategy is going to cause Big Media outlets like Fox News or ABC to suddenly see the light, and start covering the Democrats fairly.

No Democrat has won more than 50% of the popular vote, since 1976. I doubt that this will be the first year in 30 years that this happens. Thus, we need to assume a close election due to Big Media complacency, and willingness to treat all issues as a he said she said contest where the truth is cancelled out by the volume with which the pundits scream.

The tipping point will need to be the ground game. The GOP has had an advantage over Democrats through its exploitation of Evangelical Christians who struck a faustian bargain with the GOP by promoting being morally judgmental over social justice. This is why Obama's efforts to outreach to Christians, and reminding them of the social justice components of Chrisitian teaching are smart.

Likewise, Democrats will have to give more and work harder. This money should not just go towards ads, since Big Media is biased. Rather, the ground game cannot be ignored, because I think the ground game will be decisive in this election.

Democrats cannot rely soley on a faceless ads and media spin. Rather, the election will be won if the Democrats can get their supporters to pound the streets and convince people they know on a face to face basis to vote for the Democrats.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: