The Pro-Obama Case Against MSNBC's Pro-Obama Coverage

TNR:

Two weeks ago, on the night of Barack Obama's big win and narrow loss in the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, respectively, I turned my television set to MSNBC, as I normally do on election nights. It was early in the evening, and Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann were discussing the first exit polls that were trickling in. Considering that the exit polls in these contests have been--to say the least--a bit unreliable, I assumed that they weren't going to put much stock in the numbers. Just two weeks earlier, I had watched MSNBC's coverage of the Pennsylvania primary, where an excited Matthews practically gave the state to Obama, only to acknowledge later that Clinton had easily won. Surely, Matthews and company were not going to make the same mistake again.

They didn't--but only because the exit polls, predicting a good night for Obama, happened to be right; the coverage itself was exactly the same. And this was only the latest example of the network's undeniable Obama favoritism. David Shuster's comment about the Clintons' "pimping out" their daughter, Chelsea, was clearly boneheaded, but, as Clinton campaign spokesman Howard Wolfson pointed out, it caused such a stir among Clintonites because it highlighted the rest of the network's anti-Hillary coverage. Now, that's not to say that their slant has been bad for business; to the contrary. And it has certainly made for some enjoyable television--Matthews is often supremely engaging (who, after all, does not enjoy watching someone exclaim that seeing Obama speak gives him a "thrill going up my leg"), and however withering he can be, Olbermann is frequently hilarious. But the network's coverage has helped create a bubble around Obama supporters that in the end is neither healthy nor desirable.

Read the whole story: TNR

Comments

[AnotherTry]

This kind of media manipulation should be criticized for what it is. Propaganda and censorship, I don't care which candidate it benefits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTgl1VJWrQA

[Countdown09]

This is such a tired argument. The media reports what there is to report. I do get the impression that the media thinks highly of Sen. Obama but then why wouldn't they -- he's ran a brilliant campaign and stayed clear of dirty politics. BUT, BUT they've certainly have not gone as far as to not report the news on both Hillary and Obama -- good and bad. Again Obama gets less negative press because he's not the candidate making up rules, moving the goal post every day and distorting the math. Anyone who would say the Rev. Wright thing didn't get it's fair share of coverage just wasn't watching. That was front center news for a MONTH! We've had sweetie-gate, wright-gate, Resko-gate, Michele doesn't love her country gate.......Fact is Hillary wouldn't still be in this race if the media wasn't for rating purposes keeping her alive.

[jbd]

There should be no Royal families in our country. Hillary will not move us forward. She'll compromise just like McCain did on torture. The press has hammered Obama . He has responded well each time and kept campaigning with dignity. No comments from him saying that he's the only one ready to lead on day one. The lobbyists have to go and someone has to start telling the truth in the Oval Office, at least once in my lifetime.

[RichLiberal]

Always nice to have a little truth thrown into the mix. Your article accurately describes the state of affairs with MSNBC. It is unfortunate that they have invested all their capital blowing up an empty suit while at the same time tearing down the stronger candidate. The fact that the race is nearly even, and aside from a Hillary-hating Democratic Leadership led by Ted Kennedy, and a set of caucus rules that disenfranchised much of Hillary's demographic core, when one looks at the candidates natural strengths taking away the artificial distortions, one finds Hillary as a much stronger candidate than Obama.

The self-deluded self-destructing Democrats are priding themselves that they have screwed the Democratic Base of voters by undermining their preferred candidate. It will be interesting to see how this all unfolds, as the payback and recriminations will be long and deep as we enter the score-settling phase of this phenomenon.

I would say there is a 50-50 chance that the Convention will be pure chaos which will make the 1968 Convention appear to be a model of discipline by comparison.

[KarateKid]

What's wrong with a network that is left of center? The right have Fox and CNN, and I don't see anyone whining about THEIR political slant.

This is evidence MSNBC is on the right track, and people are listening and watching. Personally, I watch CNN and Fox just to see what they are saying, and those two networks give Obama a lot of bad press, particularly with the Jeremiah Wright controversy and the bittergate comments. Chris Wallace did give it to Terry McAuliffe after the assassination comment, though, and some at CNN, like John King and Wolf Blitzer, seem fair if not right leaning.

MSNBC did not turn on Hillary until she decided to trash her fellow Democrat. For me, the last straw was her comment about McCain and her being ready and experienced, and Obama gave a speech. The mean spirited and quite stupid comment turned many against her, including MSNBC.

Hillary supporters never stop crying, and it's sure is tedious. I can only hope this doesn't continue through the summer.

[RichLiberal]

Well, I am sure if you have always felt objectively that there was nothing wrong with Fox then you could objectively feel nothing is wrong with MSNBC. They are 2 sides of the same coin.

On the other hand, if you have thought there was a problem with Fox, then you will find objectively the same problem w MSNBC.

I agree it's nice to have an answer to Fox. Too bad it was used to attempt to destroy the left's strongest candidate. Hillary and the working class will live to fight another day. The self-contradictory Obama constituency has about as much long term stability as the Republican aristrocrats and the Evangelical social conservatives.

[KarateKid]

OK, I've got my crying towel ready for you now........

[1question]

We have been routinely assaulted and...challenged to gleam for nuggets of truth from the daily distortions, distractions and character destructions with every new Clinton or Bush communication.

I need my America back...the place where telling the truth was normal, routine and...expected.

Truth is truth regardless of the source and...the truth is Countdown and...Keith speak truth to power.

Where else on the multicolor are you gonna find more truth...Frontline or Current TV come quickly to mind, but...where else...?

Keith does an extraordinary job speaking truth to power. His Special Comments are exceptiona­l...except­ionally exceptional.

[2liveNdie]

With years of lies and corruption in the White House it is truly hard to believe that there might actually be a candidate that truly speaks and touches our very core of decency.

Someone who says that he is running to unite and uplift this country instead of tearing us apart for some reason seems to upset people who year after year and campaign after campaign complain about how those very same elected people they despise get to be in the position to make them feel that way.

For the first time in at least 40 years there is a candidate who is inspiring, challenging, and making believers out of non believers that WE THE PEOPLE might be actually able to TAKE BACK our country from special interests and those who are in politics for self gain and wealth for themselves and others!

It's a real movement that can't be denied or ignored and MSNBC like all other supporters of Sen.Obama are realizing a country thats FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE!!!

[RichLiberal]

This is nothing more than the left wing counterpart of self-delusion that the neo-cons embody on the right. Just as the neo-con philosophy collapsed in a heap when it went to Iraq and met reality, this left wing self-delusion will collapse in a similar heap as their economic program faces self-contradiction when it is attempted to be applied to reality.

[Countdown09]

2livendi - great post and so true. I don't get it either. Finally we have a candidate who has managed to win who didn't play dirty. Offering a different type of government, the type of government and President we claim we want, but it's doesn't seem to be enough. I swear something you just have to wonder just how spoiled this country is, nothing ever seems to be enough.

[Bulbul]

One supports Hillary or Obama is their personal choice and that`s what democratic voting process is all about...

I need to know the facts and not any TV personalities own opinion. These people are getting huge amount of salary to inform us, not mislead...
So II spend my time elsewhere , NPR and the 30 mins evening. news...

[NotMcCain]

The only reason you notice and protest is because everyone else on cable is for Hillary (and/or McCain).

In this news environment, where the "Fairness Doctrine" is long dead, at least we are entitled to a variety of slants to choose from.

Personally, I'm grateful to CNN ("the most pro-Hillary news team on television"). I got so sick of their anti-Obama bias and completely filtering news for Hillary, that I finally gave MSNBC a chance.

I think they're really good--and, even acknowledging Olbermann's bias, even he stays with the facts.

I think MSNBC does the most accurate election reporting among MSNBC, FOX, and CNN. And the most thought-provoking commentaries and discussions (other than CNN's Jack Cafferty), There's really no contest.

[Pammy1151]

I love having our own news channel. The Obama Nation. If you don't like it go somewhere else. No one is making you listen. I love KO. Tweetie is sometimes off sometimes on like a real true manic. Joe S, Pat B and ole Tucker thrown in there for amusement. Dan while not much for politics is trying. Hmmm oh I love David Shuster because he tells it like it is. So hey if you don't like them move on!!!

[gwhizz]

You forgot to stamp your little foot and take your ball home.

[LeftLeaner]

I agree with your assessment.

Matthews and Olbermann, particularly, despise Senator Clinton and knit pick at the slightest comment, utterance or gesture she makes, turning it into a travesty.

Frankly, I follow politics to be informed, not persuaded by others personal hatred.

[Pammy1151]

Then don't watch them. Easy answer watch PBS.

[Countdown09]

Lefleaner - It is obvious that allot of people, media included are just plain fed up with Hillary's tactics and nonsense. Seems one thing this country hasn't loss is a sense of fairness. Hillary brought this on herself, with her continued propaganda. One day she agrees MI and FL shouldn't count now she's behind in the race they should count BUT will only except them counting in her favor. One day she agrees this race will be determined by pledged delegates, now she says it should be electoral votes, it just doesn't stop! Again, we expect people to play fair in this country and she's not playing the game fairly.

[bethinCary]

I think it's very unfair to try to compare which candidates get more positive or negative coverage..

When HRC comes out everyday and fabricates, exaggerates and twists words as if the public has no meaning of words---she is inviting trouble to herself..
She cannot create an alternate universe of her own minds' creation..
We've been there-done that for 8 years with GW and all of his lies, spin, propaganda. To his credit though, it's made us a much better-informed constituency for having to weed through the bs and find truth where we can.
Now as we look at Mac--he's not trying to smooz at all--he's just trying to shove more Bush rhetoric down constituents throats with his "how dare you question me?" sanctimonious attitude..
His impatience, illtemper and disrespect of anyone else's opinion is evident.
Only Sen Obama has shown himself to be the adult in the room, more even-tempered, and a welcome CHANGE from GW and the other candidates..

[MariaHopeful]

This is an attempt to get the only media outlet that is even a little bit fair to Obama, to go even more negative. We all know what happened when Hillary complained during debates about the "favorable" press Obama was getting. In response the media went ballistic - they played the Rev Wright and Farrakhan talking points to death. This article is a not too clever attempt to push MSNBC on the warpath against Obama. Only problem is, a lot of MSNBC ratings is due to Obama supporters fleeing the other networks to find some fairness so were they to turn against him it will likely lead to decrease ratings for them.

And what's up with their weekend programming? If they are network for politics that should including on weekends too, don't you think? They could probably give Rachel Maddow her own show then. And how about finding some black person (for a change) to host at least one show on the weekend? Marc Lamont Hill could be a good choice. Kevin (?) now covering McCain, seems like he would have too much of the "Rick Sanchez" syndrome to be a hit. Tom Joyner or the guy from CNN (just forgot his name) would be other ratings-drawing choices. Come on MSNBC we need "liberal" voices on the weekends too!

[fair1234]

THIS IS A LIE BECAUSE FOX NEWS HAS BEEN ATTACKING OBAMA 24/7 AND THE HILLARY PEOPLE SEEM TO NOT CARE ABOUT THAT!! OBAMA HAS GOT IT THE WORST THEN HILLARY BUT HE DECIDED NOT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AND THAT IS WHY THESE JOURNALIST ARE NOT WRITING ABOUT THAT FACT. Hillary please stop playing the victim card because as a woman, you shame me!!!

[Bill3rdterm]

Can you STOP with the Caps lock and STOP with the reposts?

Everyone knows what Fox is, the point is they don't hide there biasness. MSNBC is affiliated with the So called best news organization and they paint themselves as NEWS and Journalists who do not take sides...

As far as him getting the worse, WHAT? Do you not pay attention to any of the polls that show Her getting by far more negative coverage then he?


And I guess you didn't see when he complained and whined about the last debate, or when they complained to SNL..

[Countdown09]

Bill3rdterm - Hillary gets more negative press because she's run a negative campaign. And I will say this again, had it not been for the media indulging her funny math and changing the rules as she sees fit this race would have been over when the math PROVED after Obama's 11 wins she had NO WAY of winning. She should be thanking the press in my opinion, because I truly believe if this race had been in reverse the DNC and the media would have already declared Obama the loser.

[overit62]

Grow up and quite yelling

[gwhizz]

This liberal stopped watching "ObamaNBC" months ago.