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Kirsten Powers, on the double standard over Biden's gaffes, versus Sarah Palin's:
There were a few exceptions. On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," co-host Mika Brzezinski flipped incredulously through the papers, expressing shock at the lack of coverage of Biden's remarks. Guest Dan Rather admitted that if Palin had said it, the media would be going nuts.
So what gives?
The stock answer is: "It's just Biden being Biden." We all know how smart he is about foreign policy, so it's not the same as when Sarah Palin says something that seems off.
Yet, when Biden asserted incorrectly in the vice-presidential debate that the United States "drove Hezbollah out of Lebanon," nobody in the US media shrieked. (It was, however, covered with derision in the Middle East.) Or when he confused his history by claiming FDR calmed the nation during the Depression by going on TV, the press didn't take it as evidence that he's clueless.
Indeed. Michael Totten brought the Lebanon gaffe up, and let's not forget Biden's constitutional flub. I'm for Obama at this point, but I've got to call 'em as I see 'em, and frankly, the bias at work here is blatant, and disquieting.
HT: Althouse, who offers this up, which I agree with:
Even those who support Obama -- not all, but some -- are getting nauseated by the press bias. And it's not just the bias. I'm really queasy about that future Biden is foreseeing. He has access to all sorts of reports of threats that we can't be told. It's as if he's taunting us with his inside knowledge. There will be -- what? -- attacks? And is Obama already planning to respond in ways that they know will dismay us? Tell us more. Is it about Israel?
I don't think one needs to oppose Obama to be vexed by the pro-Obama bias in the press. In fact, as I've argued elsewhere, it gives a lot of the attacks on Obama more legitimacy than they would have otherwise, because when attacks on Obama are rejected by most of the public, it is seen by many as a left-wing media conspiracy, even when it's not, because a lot of the press is basically in the tank for Obama.
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Couple of points. First,
Couple of points. First, McCain and Obama are both press darlings (the national news media has been fawning over McCain for years). McCain's coverage has gotten worse over the last month or two, but that is reflective of McCain's own campaign strategies of painting Obama as a socialist terrorist (and the news stories about how that strategy isn't working) and picking a remarkably unqualified vp candidate, and almost completely shielding that candidate from the press. And most importantly, McCain appears, so far, to be losing badly. This has the unsurprising effect of havng the press focus on why he is losing, and also makes the campaign try more despatately measure to catch up, which heightens the negative coverage. Since Obama appears poised for a big victory, a lot of coverage will center on trying to figure out why Obama is winning, which is almost always going to have the affect of being "positive" coverage. This is certainly an annoying aspect of the MSM's horse race style coverage, but is mainly breaking to Obama's benefit because he is so far ahead in the polls (if it were McCain this far ahead, I'm sure we'd see stories about how the tentative and inexperienced Obama didn't have the substance to go toe-to-toe with the maverick war hero).
Second, all candidates say stupid things that go unnoticed by the press--McCain flubbed the difference between Sunni and Shia and thought that Iraq bordered Pakistan-- partisan blogs have a field day with this, but not the MSM. Palin flubs, on the other hand, are way beyond thinking that FDR went on TV in the 1930s-- she seems unable to even begin to articulate a coherent policy position when not reading prepared text, and at times seems to not even understand the question. This is in an entirely different universe than a candidate speaking and getting some facts wrong.
That's a good point on Palin, Justin, which is one of the issues
I have with her, but you have to admit that some of Biden's gaffes have been pretty eye-opening as of late. I think it's fair to wonder if Palin would've gotten away with some of things that Biden has said. I think that Buden has built up a rep as a policy expert, and that rep is still relatively intact, although I suspect some are wondering why it hasn't at least taken a hit, as far as the coverage is concerned.
"In the world you will find tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
Biden's gaffes aren't just harmless, they're telling
We don't get much press coverage about how Biden has a history of taking incredibly stupid policy positions, including his 3 state solution for Iraq---but it goes back much further than that.
His gaffes and misstatements should put a BOLD UNDERLINE under this history.
Biden is the type of blowhard in Congress who likes to talk like an expert on every issue, when he's not--when I see him I think, "I'm not a policy expert, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night"
As for Palin--again, we need to get to see what she knows. The inability to answer a question that people are referring to, are about mostly dumb questions or confrontational questions.
People don't think there is media bias because the media is at the current moment reporting negative stories on McCain. Its because their choices of what to cover and how its covered tend to favor one side over another.
Biden has as a reputation as
Biden has as a reputation as a gaffe machine, and the press has certainly covered that. But any comparison between Palin and Biden is beyond ridiculous.
No coverage of Biden's foreign policy record
The press has said "silly old Biden", they've not run extensive reports on what Biden's foreign policy views have been over the past 30 years. Such a report would throw away his credibility of being a 'foreign policy expert' that's more ready to be Vice President than Palin.
That's what I'm talking about.
Go to Lexis or some other
Go to Lexis or some other news search engine and do a search for articles written about Biden and you see that that's just not true. Biden's foreign policy views have been extensively covered. Other than Lieberman and maybe a few others, his foreign policy has been written about moreso than almost any other person that is not in the executive branch.
Media hasn't combed through
Media hasn't combed through the major positions and shown how many times he was wrong, reversed himself or was right. He has been around for a long time. Long enough to support Jimmy Carter, miss the fall of the Shah. He was against the first Gulf War and For the recent one. He has a long history of opposing missile defense. At one point he was bomb bomb Iran over their nuke program and now would probably support the Odum Bargain with Iran. He said the surge wouldn't work and his recent positons are known.
I have to go to Lexis?
Justin,
Just the fact that I would have to go to Lexis tells you something. Ask any man on the street whether he's heard that Biden once brought up the idea of giving a $200 million subsidy to Iran with no strings attached; or that Biden supported policies of detente throughout Reagans term, or that Biden claimed credit for writing the Patriot Act. Most people won't even know about his views on Iraq.
Then ask the man on the street whether they heard about Palin's husband belonging to the AIP or about how she supported the Bridge to Nowhere before it became unpopular.
There are articles on Biden's public history, and thats how I know about it. But no major coverage. You don't see that every time Biden makes a stupid statement about foreign policy, the whole media exploding into a story on what Joe Biden really understands about the subject. Instead, you hear stories on Palin's $250,000 wardrobe, in an attempt to undermine the idea that she's a populist.
Most people know nothing about Biden at all. People are asked to TRUST that he's a foreign policy expert. Biden as President is scarier than Palin as President
Yeah I know Justin, Biden as
Yeah I know Justin, Biden as VP will be the anchor for an erratic and untested Obama, despite his own questionable and sometimes proven wrong views and opinions. Palin however, is certain to support her President?s views and opinions on foreign policy and help him lead reform of Washington. Palin got through windfall profits tax in Alaska, but Biden didn't in Congress. What exactly did Biden change? What State has he run? Did he ever stand up to his party or simply cave after the primaries, switching numerous positions and following The One? I know that comparisons are ridiculous aren't they?
Palin supported the surge, Biden lobbied to divide Iraq.
Palin advocated smart diplomacy and Biden didn't say a word about Obama's telegraphing bombing to Pakistan.
Palin advocated more drilling besides other options while Biden suggested nuclear energy which Obama opposed in the past. Hillary at least backs clean coal in NY. DId Biden vote for that bill to sue OPEC?
Palin would cut corporate taxes while Biden avoids explaining how 95% of Americans would recieve a tax cut.
Palin supports missile defense (Alaska has a large domestic role), Biden now reverses himself and gives support for it (let's see what he halts).
Palin states the reason Afghanistan is in trouble, Biden blames Bush and Iraq in contradiction to Patraeus and others including NATO's generals who accept some blame for their poor support (see recent links).
Palin asks for accountability in the Sub Prime mess and Biden WILL NEVER point a finger at Dodd or Franks, Cox and other Democrats. He blames Bush and when responding to claims of neosocialism, accusing Bush of nationalizing banks (while Joe votes for such a plan).
Meanwhile Palin is subject to six year olds on polished internet ads asking why Palin allowed rape to double in her State. But, excuse me, comparisons between Parties and personas, Biden and Palin are absurd. Let me get back to BET and watch award winners sport their Obama T-shirts, rappers claiming their creed is less gangster than the GOP. This isn't media per se, but a cultural catharsis. Biden represents a repentant centrist supporting the new smiley face of the Left. Palin does represent a more traditional conservative culture which can grate on a New Yorker, but also a more forward, fashionable and reformist thrust. Hell, I listen to the empty inspiration and vague Obama words and ask myself why?, you must listen to North Western Palin drawl and shudder. I'm more interested in Obama and McCain. Still, I watch so many on the Left cry how celebrity-like Palin is. With that status she could become The One eventually. Form without content? The very thing many on the right accuse Obama as being. But then again, comparison are a bit ridiculous....
Biden -"Obama will be tested"
Obama spent the day explaining that one......but here is a laugh:
LOL
"McCain is a Press darling" is more than a year old Justin. Just look at the struggle in NYC with Bloomberg winning. The Left and media opposed extending term limits arguing that somehow this was unconstitutional...Media is now sporting a far different spin they did a year or two ago. Alot has happened if you hadn't noticed.
Let's not go to the gaffes or blatant mistakes Justin. I could list many gaffes far worse than those you mentioned.Maybe we could just look at the lies first, or do you think gaffes or flubs more important than lies or misrepresentation of views? I address this below. Obama fosters the attacks on Palin and McCain and it pains me to see media defending future criticism of Obama or even an Obama loss on racism. Don't tell us Obama doesn't stimulate this pathetic discourse.
Responding at the last debate, Obama didn't hold his first fund raiser at Ayers? Did media vet that response? Obama didn't read what Wright and Flager had to say in the very issue of Trinity's TRIUMPH that featured Obama on the cover? Obama organized Wright, Flager, Rezko, Khalidi (also holding a fund raiser) and Ayers into a political machine using his trained ACORN. To say otherwise is a lie.
Moderates would up the war on terror in Pakistan? Biden supports OBama's bomb em in Pakistan comments and says nothing about how strategies should work. On other security fronts they sudden pivot center to appeal to Independents. Obama and Biden are now in favor of missile defense? Here is what Obama once said. By the way, in Obama?s axing measure, there are only two missile defense weapons that are a bit tested. His statement would stop most programs nearing their prototype goals. Biden actually claimed that missile defense CAUSED the missile race?LOL. Does this matter to media? And if media doesn't discuss, how should America react?
There are really 95% of Americas that could get a tax cut? Obama didn't favor a total gun ban? Biden didn't want to cut up Iraq into three? Biden claims Obama is Israel?s best friend as Jess says once Obama is in office our relationship with Israel will be forever changed. Hell, will Power return to an Obama administration?
I wonder what Obama has to say about Bloomberg.....listening to Democrats here in NY call term extensions unconstitutional is bizarre at best. Have to side with the Daily News on that one. I guess Democrats are against choice.
Raf, CNN finally got a chance to interview Palin. So what did they do? Drew claimed York in the National Review called her stupid and incompetent (see above link). What did Palin think? Oh boy, she looked confused, they laughed. Well, York never said that, so why shouldn't Palin be confused? How does one respond to lies and bad journalism? CNN won't even issue an apology. NO wonder Palin dodges the fire. Shame on me to characterize Obama, but how great Media characterized Palin and Cindy, McCain as senile and the GOP a disgrace. Dems want to show they can better Bush, but do it in reverse in steroids.
You say that this media derangement is the bad thing. Yes, definitely. Take away the 5 points media gives Obama. Take away at least five points Bush handicaps McCain. Under a dead heat or McCain slightly ahead, fair and balanced vetting of positions and record by media would investigate the claims against Obama and the mistruth he speaks. Media would report money Obama gave Khalidi ending up with those on the Hamas (ISM) side. They would see the support to ACORN going back to Ayers. They would question the relationship Obama had with Fannie and Sub Prime offenders. Isn?t one his chief financial advisors a fined offender?
Obama wants to give illegals drivers licenses. Here in NY that would lead to even more registration fraud. Thanks to the Democrats, the election IS ALREADY in question. From Diebold to ACORN. Now that's evolution for ya. In a more objective world where media warrants it?s sacred privileges, the Press would examine Obama?s housing record and raise more heat on his flopping positions from guns to campaign spending. They would vet his positions (or lack of one) on foreign policy. They would see how much certain aspects of the last eight years were actually begun under Clinton like deregulation of banking or regime change, or have little relationship to Bush. God forbid they would vet this bailout mess before Obama picks his AG.
I would still argue that the flaws not examined are worse than the abuse by media. Together they propel an Obama/Pelosi conflagration with the Left so bold to sport citizen-of-the-year Ayers being hailed by Chicago educators. They respond to rational questions about the socialistic aspect of this Obama/Pelosi wing, by doing exactly what Hugo does ?call Bush socialist. It isn?t just the pathetic spin, but the issues unvetted. Biden laughed at Palin when she dismissed the ?causes? of global warming. Causes not important? Real history of positions not important? I guess rationality applies only to Democratic arguments.
Lying and hypocrisy bother me. I can?t wait to see Zbig again in the NYT (another great bit of journalism) spouting the NEW AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY.
Maybe Obama will make Jimmy special envoy. No, I guess strategies, policies, history and record are LESS important than the media derangement dumbing down America in ways Rove hadn?t dreamed of. It isn't that Obama has serious aspects unvetted, but rather the worse crime that media is in the tank? If Obama was a Saint and not the ONE, this media bias wouldn't matter as much. But if he just gets past McCain on the handicap media supplied (with real flaws unvetted), then both are offensive, and erode the nature of our Liberal Democracy. If this leads us away from our nature towards a polity far different than the one our Founders imagined, shame on us.
Two things,
First, when did Obama say he was for driver's licenses for illegals? Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only major figure that I've heard even come close to that was Hillary, during the primaries.
Biden's 3-state solution for Iraq looks especially ridiculous in light of the progress of the surge. I've said that before, but I did give him credit for at least coming up with a Plan B at the time.
"In the world you will find tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
Raf, what's up with you? Did
Raf, what's up with you? Did you miss a month or were you out of the country when the ?license war? raged between Hillary and Obama? Let me refresh your memory now that the blogs have been purged. Hillary said she opposed Spitzer's seeking driver licenses for illegals. She hesitated at first when asked in a debate because she would favor such licenses were Spitzer to implement Clarke's desire for REAL ID. Without the full program, driver licenses don't cut it. Alone they would risk legal registration and create some insurance problems to say the least. Obama made a huge PR gain on Hillary casting her muddled first response which ended in ?no?, as untrustworthy, not in line with the Party. Gee Hillary was a "Republican Lite?. He drove that home for weeks until the next debate. Then Obama was asked the most obvious follow up question in debate history. "Do YOU support drivers licenses for illegals?" He stuttered and side -stepped and was eventually forced to say YES. Now did you miss all that?
And did the media bring that up and launch a month long campaign about how Obama blasted Hillary for her stance while having a confused position himself? How much was that like a politician? And did media vet Obama's role in the Amnesty fight? Did they replay all the debates and watch how Obama moved his immigration position towards Clinton while trashing her?
I could list several Biden blunders or questionable declarations like his new position on missile defense or saying Obama would speak to the real leader of Iran. Who is that Biden? We know what BIden and Hillary said of Obama during the campaign. Now things change. Obama is the real friend of Israel after a history of support for groups working with pro Hamas supporters like Khalidi, Ayers and Wright/Phelger? Biden even blames Iraq for our woes in Afghanistan when the link I posted recently makes clear (Allied Generals included) NATO?s lack of support, local opposition in Afghanistan due to bad government (like Iraq), feeble global will (beyond the US) and chaotic Pakistan are the reasons for Taliban resurgence. This was and is a Democratic campaign based on NOT BUSH and promises lacking funding. Biden never attacks Dodd or Franks for the meltdown. Biden never scolds Obama for telegraphing our threats. Biden has no plan on South America, Lebanon, Iran or Pakistan. How will he stop Putin or Hugo? Ultimately he attacks Bush. He never said the surge worked. He hasn't supported new and tough international sanctions on Iran. As a long time Senator, he doesn't take responsibility for Congressional ratings and the mess we are in.
McCain had a plan B Raf, and it worked once Bush said okay. Now isn't that better than Biden's? Obama's plan was to run away. He has created such a political opposition that should he break ranks with Pelosi when "someone" tests him, he will be all alone, much to the detriment of our nation's security interests. He ran Left until his final disingenuous pivot. His camp has portrayed McCain as senile and the GOP racists. He trashed Clinton to win and fed a biased media with the sellable product of "The One". CNN, NBC, MSNBC, CBS, the NYT and many others have it right where they collectively want. It is about Palin's clothes, a McCain fan who shouted "kill Obama" (not a single witness), evil Joe the Plumber, SNL and how racist America would be not to elect Obama.
I stand corrected Max, I did in fact miss that, but I'll have to
check that again. As to Biden's Plan B, I never siad that I agreed with his plan, only that I gave him credit for coming up with one, as opposed to most Dems who simply wanted to bash Bush.
"In the world you will find tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
Just to be clear
So Justin just to be clear: If you're inexperienced and say something irresponsible like "We'll be attacked in the next six months, possibly from Russia" that's horrible and frightening but if you're EXPERIENCED and say something irresponsible like "We'll be attacked in the next six months, possibly from Russia" that "can happen at times on the campaign trail. Next discussion..."
As a physician I can clearly state I would much rather have my gallbladder removed by an experienced incompetent surgeon than an inexperienced one!
Chris