I don't think that the Democratic Party failed us...the media did

[linazelle]

I don't understand why people keep blaming (a) the stupidity of voters and (b) the dem leaders for election failures.

I really believe that dem leaders stepped up to the plate for CA and we still lost. I mean, Clinton, Feinstein, Streisand....and more came out to generate the turnout. And the record turnout shows they were successful. But that was not enough. And it won't be enough.

The media wants you to believe that dems are failing just like they want those who voted for the recall that Gray Davis failed. Don't fall for it.

[RoeBear]

1. It's always nice to have...

...someone else to blame.

[Maple]

2. Oh

pul-eeze.

[Girlfriday]

3. I respectfully disagree

But, I did send e-mail to CNN and MSNBC to complain that the Arnie win was reported as a fait accompli; and that Schwartzenegger was covered much more thoroughly than Davis or Bustamante.

Personally I do think the media played a role, but not the way you think. The LA Times stories caused a backlash of sorts. IMO

[cprise]

6. Print media is always at variance with TV

...and from here in Boston, I'd say the blame for bias lies with the latter. Big time.

As for Democrats, they failed to hammer the energy-theft issue. They sued the power companies for small amounts, and didn't take control during the crisis itself. Davis and his damned business credibility helped the Enrons, and hurt all the other business in CA-- not to mention the ratepayers.

[papau]

10. The stories have been out there for years - this one was held back

by the editors and owners until it would look like "just politics" -

Not even subtle

I feel sorry for the LA Times staff as they are good folk - one of the fairest media outlets in the US.

This smelled to high heaven like it was set up by the GOP -

and yes it did help Arnold because the victims got no airtime - directly or indirectly - and all there was in media land were the "reasonable people voices" - like Tweety and Russert !?! - saying dirty politics and unfair so late in the day.

[blm]

4. You speak the truth.

People are uninformed because the corporate media wants it that way.

[linazelle]

5. I just listened to Hannity gloating about the "win"

He's turning the tables already. He's saying that we were desperate to get CA when of course they were. He's saying that CA will be the key to the White House in '04. He's setting the stage for the resistance Arnold will face governing--suggesting that he take issues to the people if the CA legislature won't respond to his demands.

His listeners are eating this stuff up. He's doing man-on-the street interview playbacks. Sickeningly, responders are all pro-recall.

Talk radio is the heavyweight of the CON media. We have no match for it and it is what wins elections.

The only solution I see is that we will have to start pouring money into the development of a media for the people. I know Gore is starting something but the reach of a startup effort will take quite some time to catch up to the competition.

It's depressing when the reality of how long it will take to catch up is considered...but it is the only way to break the stronghold of the CONs.

[AmandaRuth]

7. Your headline is the truest thing i have seen

at DU for the past 2 days.

it is sooooo sad.

on edit: Doh!

[jiacinto]

8. The media is a big problem

I also think the media played a crucial role. CNN all but campaigned for Arnold.

[stickdog]

9. The problem was the Gray Davis was the perfect DLC candidate. (NT)

[hippywife]

11. I gotta disagree...partially

I think the media definitely plays its part but the Dem leadership or lack thereof hasn't helped. Also, I think a good portion of the electorate dropped the ball.

This party used to really get out there and fight. Great things were accomplished like civil rights legislation. Then I think folks got lazy or otherwise distracted. I think they figured enough significant change had taken place, but they failed to keep the ship manned. Keeping things on track means keeping fighters at the helm. They started taking some things for granted and it's coming back to haunt them within a single generation...the "me" generation that followed the era of significant political change.

Sure the repubs were gunning for Clinton but did he honestly need to give them the ammo? Since when does this party, the one that marched for civil rights and the environment, stand for things like NAFTA/WTO, welfare reform, etc? Then Gore and the leadership come in and run a pretty lackluster campaign. And of all horrors, a good number stand shoulder to shoulder with Bush on the Patriot Act and the Iraq War. Whoever would have guessed this party would spawn Joe Lieberman? This party has lost its nerve AND its teeth.

I've been amazed at the people I have assumed would be anti-Bush only to hear them turn around and approve of going after Iraq. It's time to get out there again and re-engage the electorate, not assume they all see the horrors of the Bush administration the same way we all do.

And wouldn't it be just the juicest part of it to pull it off with a corporate media that was lined up against us? ;)

[linazelle]

12. I would love to pull off a win with despite Bushco's media

Clinton did it, but it seems they've gotten stronger. I know that won't last forever though.

[Festivito]

13. Yes, it's the media, BUT, Dems must account for it in the battle.

I still find it hard to forgive Al Gore for not fighting the triple-lie. He said he'd fight for us, but, wouldn't fight for himself, and by that he didn't fight for us.