Part of me thinks the Republicans actually planned to pick a fight with the media – in this case, over Senator McCain’s selection of Governor Palin. It’s hard to see how the media has asked impolite questions or made intemperate comments, because the line between the media and politicians is almost non-existent – between bloggers, Fox News commentators, and so on. Still, after Senator McCain had made experience a central part of his campaign (see “Central narratives”), it seemed only fair for the media to ask more questions about the selection of this first-term governor of a small state (no matter how much of a good speaker she may be and how much her and her family’s life stories may resonate with some voters).
Nevertheless, the Republicans have quickly been able to persuade a lot of people that the media adores Senator Obama and is too hard on Senator McCain and especially Governor Palin. This might sound like whining except for the fact that the Republicans are mainly taking up the causes for their two injured ladies, Governor Palin (who nevertheless compared herself with a pit bull dog) and daughter Bridget. Palin and the McCain-Palin surrogates have been able to link the response of some to her candidacy with alleged Obama-Kerry elitism with bitter-gate and not proud of my country until now-gate. They’ve also tapped into concern about sexism in the media and culture (even though many of these folks would have practiced the same forms of sexism had Senator Clinton been the Democratic candidate). It’s interesting that – whatever you may say about Governor Palin – the Republican effort may have sensitized folks more about latent and not so latent sexism.
Still, the Republicans scared the media into towing the line at the start of the Iraq war, to the detriment of our discussions about the war. Now, they’re bullying the media – already on the run because of newspaper and major network news financial difficulties – except perhaps for the moderate Cable News Network – which has made a lot of money off of the prolonged 2008 presidential contest (and scored very high ratings last week for the Democratic National Convention). It’s interesting that the McCain campaign chose a CNN woman reporter with which to tangle. Watching the videotape may remind viewers that this exchange wasn’t just the McCain campaign defending a woman (Palin) against the sexist media, but a man (McCain campaign spokesperson Tucker Bounds) trying to bully a woman (Campbell Brown) (pictured above).
Nevertheless, the Republicans have quickly been able to persuade a lot of people that the media adores Senator Obama and is too hard on Senator McCain and especially Governor Palin. This might sound like whining except for the fact that the Republicans are mainly taking up the causes for their two injured ladies, Governor Palin (who nevertheless compared herself with a pit bull dog) and daughter Bridget. Palin and the McCain-Palin surrogates have been able to link the response of some to her candidacy with alleged Obama-Kerry elitism with bitter-gate and not proud of my country until now-gate. They’ve also tapped into concern about sexism in the media and culture (even though many of these folks would have practiced the same forms of sexism had Senator Clinton been the Democratic candidate). It’s interesting that – whatever you may say about Governor Palin – the Republican effort may have sensitized folks more about latent and not so latent sexism.
Still, the Republicans scared the media into towing the line at the start of the Iraq war, to the detriment of our discussions about the war. Now, they’re bullying the media – already on the run because of newspaper and major network news financial difficulties – except perhaps for the moderate Cable News Network – which has made a lot of money off of the prolonged 2008 presidential contest (and scored very high ratings last week for the Democratic National Convention). It’s interesting that the McCain campaign chose a CNN woman reporter with which to tangle. Watching the videotape may remind viewers that this exchange wasn’t just the McCain campaign defending a woman (Palin) against the sexist media, but a man (McCain campaign spokesperson Tucker Bounds) trying to bully a woman (Campbell Brown) (pictured above).
To watch this exchange, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxMCp1vydEI
Immediately after this exchange, Senator McCain canceled a scheduled appearance on CNN, warning them that – especially if McCain-Palin wins – CNN might expect limited White House access, unless the network “behaves better.” And they seem to have done more than consolidate Republican support and enthusiasm about the tickets (by railing against the “liberal media” and coming to the defense of Governor Palin, their damsel in distress). Some overnight polling suggests that many independents (and even some Democrats) believe the media is pro-Obama, anti-Palin, and sexist. No doubt SOME of this is true. And Obama – who handcuffed himself and his aides I order not to seem impolite and not to remind people about the experience gap between himself and McCain – may have been relying some on reporters to ask probing questions.
Immediately after this exchange, Senator McCain canceled a scheduled appearance on CNN, warning them that – especially if McCain-Palin wins – CNN might expect limited White House access, unless the network “behaves better.” And they seem to have done more than consolidate Republican support and enthusiasm about the tickets (by railing against the “liberal media” and coming to the defense of Governor Palin, their damsel in distress). Some overnight polling suggests that many independents (and even some Democrats) believe the media is pro-Obama, anti-Palin, and sexist. No doubt SOME of this is true. And Obama – who handcuffed himself and his aides I order not to seem impolite and not to remind people about the experience gap between himself and McCain – may have been relying some on reporters to ask probing questions.
But the bottom line is that reporters such as Campbell Brown have mainly just been doing their jobs, asking important questions of public figures (including questions not only about Palin’s experience but also her conduct in office, her views about issues such as environmental and educational policies), instead of mindlessly taking everything these figures say as gospel. I believe public interest has driven most of the coverage of Palin’s family. Palin has certainly showcased her family – witness last night – and – when more people earlier this week Googled Brenda Palin and (finace’s name) than any other phrases – even if all the major networks and newspapers don’t mention the story – others will. Palin has profited – as much as suffered – from attention to her family – just as she has apparently in turn profited by complaining about all of the coverage.
The selection of Palin, Palin’s speech, and the counterattack against the alleged media bias against Palin helped unite the Republican Party in St. Paul and repair the enthusiasm gap – in which the Democrats had been much more
P.S. Ironically, some of the most bitter denunciations of the media this campaign season came not from the Republicans but from President Bill Clinton, who I heard complain about pro-Obama media bias and hostility (and sexism) against Hillary Clinton. As with the 3 a.m. phone call TV ad, some things come around. Ironically also, McCain until recently was a media darling. His “Straight Talk Express” campaign gave reporters unprecedented and almost unlimited access to the candidate while campaigning. But the Rove-Bush aides that took over McCain’s campaign in recent months want him to stay on message and – just as Obama campaign chiefs have shielded Obama somewhat from constant media scrutiny – and now McCain and his aides have apparently soured on the media. It remains to be seen if the media really has any power in this regard – if the media will cower before Republican and public pressure and quit asking any tough questions – or ask them only of the Democrats.
-- Perry
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