"Swift Boat" story has no legs but crawls around on its belly for days?

[kentuck]

Why? I think that is a question all journalists should ask themselves? How can this story overwhelm other important stories and occupy so many hours of every network? How does that happen?

It's back to the old "liberal media" argument. There is no liberal media that has the power to keep such a "non-story" alive for so long. But there is a network of right-wingers that hold sway over all these so-called "independent" journalists and when they pull the strings, their lips move....

[Sensitivity]

1. Sadly this works just fine for Rove unless the slime is thrown in Bush's

face. Hope Dems start being really loud about blaming Bush for
smear campaign.

[kentuck]

2. Democrats need to make the distinction in these 527's.....

They are not supposed to be affiliated with the candidate or the Party. Yes, they can be supportive of both but not taking orders and recommendations and advice from them. That is the difference in Move-On.org and Swift Boats.org. There is no proof yet that either is directly connected to a political Party but I woud bet money the Repub Party is up to their eyeballs with these swift boat vets...

[wish_I_could_vote]

3. It is dominating the news because

there is a break in the Peterson trial.

[Kierkegaard]

4. I think it may have less to do with politics...

and more to do with the fascination people have for ogling a trainwreck. Anything that exposes the sleazy underbelly of society makes for endless headlines, and ultimately, more money for the networks. They will cover anything that makes them a ton of money, even if it isn't worth the crap its spun out of.

[w4rma]

5. Bullcrap. Big media is ignoring Plame (which the public is more interested

in) and is spending their time on something they hope will harm the Democratic Party (and help keep Repugs in power who will keep giving the big corps who own big media tax breaks, tax shelters, insentives, more room to gobble up their fewer and fewer competitors, etc. etc. - its all about power with the owners of the big corps)

[Kierkegaard]

7. Explain Peterson and Hacking

No one knew them from Adam, but blood lust attracted cameras to prospect for another media money maker. There weren't any political motives there. Just blood.

Most people are completey unaware of Plame, let alone give a shit. Yes, it is important to some of us, but it won't fascinate anyone looking for a good butchering or scandal of monumental proportions And it won't make the networks any money.

Media is a soap opera. Bad news makes headlines. Period. It always has, and it always will.

[kentuck]

6. I think they make distinctions between Democrat and Repub "trainwrecks"

Simple charges with no proof, and they fall for it like a kid with a new toy. It's easy for anyone to call someone else a "liar" if they don't have to prove it. Look at the ad. That is exactly what happened.

[Kierkegaard]

8. if you notice

I didn't discount the reality of politically slanted commentary from the sqwakers. It is definitely there, but I stand by my asertion that money is a higher priority to the networks than political slant.

Unfortunately, they seem to be getting the best of both worlds with this story.