Brokaw Admits: Media 'Stampeded The Process,' Got It Wrong

Thinkprogress.org :

Talking with Tom Brokaw, Chris Matthews lamented the fact that the pollsters and pundits got it all wrong. Brokaw suggested that the results today should cause the media to reevaluate its desire to "stampede the process," and he cautioned the media to "wait for the voters to make their judgment":

BROKAW: You know what I think we're going to have to do?

MATTHEWS: Yes sir?

BROKAW: Wait for the voters to make their judgment.

MATTHEWS: Well what do we do then in the days before the ballot? We must stay home, I guess.

BROKAW: No, no we don't stay home. There are reasons to analyze what they're saying. We know from how the people voted today, what moved them to vote. You can take a look at that. There are a lot of issues that have not been fully explored during all this.

But we don't have to get in the business of making judgments before the polls have closed. And trying to stampede in effect the process.

Look, I'm not just picking on us, it's part of the culture in which we live these days. I think that the people out there are going to begin to make judgments about us if we don't begin to temper that temptation to constantly try to get ahead of what the voters are deciding, in many cases, as we learned in New Hampshire when they went into the polling booth today or in the last three days. They were making decisions very late.

Read the whole story: Thinkprogress.org

Comments

[kellygrrrl]

the Media and the Polls are proving just how worthless they are.

WE the PEOPLE will chose our President.
Thank You, very much

[sonofdy1]

Im not suprised they got it wrong. Their mouths were so full of obamas "parts" that im suprised they could say anything. No kidding, one of them actualy compared Obama to Jesus Christ. I knew at that point that they might as well have been running a political ad for Obama.

[MrRex]

Perhaps if the "media" reported instead of guided the public with its "spin" on the stories we would listen,instead of shun it. I have watched C. Matthews of MSNBC lust after Obama's wife, and extol the virtues of Obama's rhetoric and oratory. Rarely do I hear reports on Obama's message that the "old ways" are the problem, the Boomers are in the way of progress and that "youth" holds the answer. This is not the message of a unifier with a dream; this is the message of a desperate politician who knows his appeal will be very narrow in a general election and he is trying to create and motivate a new base.
I have news for him, the "young" rarely vote; they talk a lot but on election day they have other priorities: cafe lattes, the baby sitter, the job search, the final exam, etc. Politicians depend on -and appeal to- those who have a horse in this race: retirement issues, health issues, cost of living issues, etc., these bring people out. Dealing with these for all Americans is what saves the day, not appealing to the 18-25 set.

[ed1984]

Seriously How can NBC continue it's relationship with Chris Matthews he's absurd. I feel sorry for this man he is a pathetic character. If any woman was in Barack Obama shoes the establishment press would crush her for being inexperience. The voters made the choice on the issues not on race. I feel offended as a African American that some lard like Matthews keep injecting race into this process. What happen to all the white folks that voted for Obama in the Iowa race?

[abbiehoffmansghost]

The media has no relevance at all anymore. They don't report, they don't ask relevant questions, they don't muckrake or investigate, they pontificate and editorialize and use innuendo to put forth a corporate agenda. I trust the Progressive Populist and The Hightower Lowdown and The Washinton Spectator, after that not much. And I certainly don't believe political rhetoric coming from the politicians. Cynical? Skeptical? You bet. Show me or give me one good reason not to be in this country. Anyone?

[CintiBlue]

Seems to me getting it wrong just gives these gasbags a fresh direction for their stale hot air.

[pennyfortheguy]

Scarborough is saying that the "pundits are scratching their heads". More like their asses. With fervor. But unlike most mortals, are only more engrossed with their 'own brand' as they surreptitiously scratch lightly around their noses. On camera.
Nora O'Donell is making it all clear for us now...

[FirstBlowupDollLaura]

Based on the premise that the Republican National Committee has fixed the race, and that's a good bet, McCain will be the nominee. He was promised that and has sucked it up these past 8 years to get his due. All that stuff from Mitt and Rooti and Mikey was just for show.

McCain vs. Hillary in the general: our nation is doomed.

[georgecrupper]

And the Media stampeded Americans the Stupid into a war...when will America wake up...the Media has an agenda to stay alive at any cost...two considerations to wake up Americans...start the draft, no deferments and tax us all to pay now for the war...

[avergejoe]

call me a cynic, but how come the 'pundits' got it right in IOWA where Obama won.

And they got it 'wrong' in NH,
so now hrc (and mccain) is referred to as:

comeback kid vs old establishment
confident vs worried
stunning victor vs loser

could it be a variation of wjc's 'win would be a miracle' gimmick?
but then msm never misleads us, do they?
feeling just a wee bit manipulated?

[BillyCioffi]

Matthews behavior was and is a disgrace he is a loudmouth phony. He and his journalist wife have made a career our of bad mouthing and slapping around Hill an Bill. Matthews knows that is Hill wins he is toast. He is at the end of the line for every guest or whatever. It also show how ineffective he is as an opinion maker. He is a stupid obnoxious man.

[InformedMisery]

You'd think the media could be humble for at least 24 hours after getting things so wrong. But no. Chris Matthews was on Morning Joe on MSNBC spinning their miscaculations, blaming it on people lying to polsters and racism.

[Bluedanube]

Keep up the war against the traditional media. They are corrupted, complicit and pampered millionaires more concerned with preserving the status quo than providing the citizenry with the necessary information for making informed decisions. The last thing they want are informed citizens capable of critical thought. They and their corporate masters have too much to lose and will do what is necessary to protect their priviledged positions. Let the public be damned.

[OhgReaTone]

I am so disgusted with Chris Matthews. His explanation for the polls being wrong - the voters lied because of racism and chauvinism. Matthews is demonstrating who the real Chauvinist and Racist is.
Ohg.
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/01/09/chris-mattthews-racist-chauvenist/

[pennyfortheguy]

So, who do we like in 2012?