Why Clinton and Obama don't get equal criticism / "equal time" in the media.

[Political Heretic]

In another thread, a poster complained and asked why KO in particular doesn't give "equal time" to the cheap shots of both sides?

I responded, because the simple reality is that there aren't an equal amount of cheap shots coming from both sides. The poster responded, conceded that point, but said that doesn't mean there shouldn't be equal time given.

Here's why that's wrong:

If you do that, you are distorting the news. If someone does something 1,000 times and someone else does something 1 time, and you report it as if "both sides" are doing the same thing in the same proportions - you're distorting the truth.

The Clinton campaign is the one that has, by its own admission, adopted the "kitchen sink" strategy, and they should be grow-up enough to accept the media criticism and scrutiny that is going to naturally come with that approach.

It's not that they don't cover Obama crap - its that he gives them little to run with. When a senior campaign staffer calls Clinton a monster, the SAME DAY, she resigns, and he comes out and apologizes. No STORY. The media DID cover it - but there nothing to keep covering. It was immediate addressed, comments rejected, staffer removed. End of story.

Clinton makes things a story because she DOESNT WANT to just categorically reject smears and garbage that come on her behalf - she likes them "out there." She doesn't apologize (until several news cycles later, and then it is a non-apology apology,) doesn't end the news cycle, and then wonder why her campaign gets more criticism and scrutiny.

It's not rocket science, folks.

What KO is pissed about, is that he believes Clintonian tactics are hurting the party, and hurting the democrats changes in the fall. At one point he came out and said it on air: Please, for god's sake PICK A NOMINEE. Any nominee. It isn't Obama love - its detest for what he feels is going to cost us the general election. The candidate that is behind in delegates, behind in the popular vote, behind in states won, behind in head to head match ups against the republican nominee, behind in most current polls of who democrats believe to be more electable, and behind in campaign fundraising, REFUSES TO STAND ASIDE and instead launches a scorched earth, divisive, destructive assault that is whittling away at our chance in the general - a general that SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SHOE IN.

That's what I believe he feels. And I can't blame him.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

1. I can't stand that false equivalence stuff when the RW does it.

So it's especially aggravating to see Democrats doing it.

[Political Heretic]

2. I've been thinking about this / noticing this tactic more and more lately outside of DU

I'm not sure why... I guess I've just been reflecting on how effective it is.

Frustrating.

[Political Heretic]

3. kick.