Obama Blagojevich Scandal Involvement Believed By 45% Of Voters: Poll

Blogger Matt Yglesias has been in Finland lately, studying up on their education policy, but all it took was a single viewing of Morning Joe to bring him up to speed with the new way the political press corps has been abusing their platform:

[T]his morning on MSNBC there was a lengthy discussion of Obama's involvement in Blagojevich's corruption. Of course, there was no evidence of any involvement on Obama's part. Nor, despite this being a news channel, was there any original reporting of any kind whatsoever. There was, however, a ton of time spent criticizing the Obama campaign's PR strategy with regard to this issue -- the suggestion being that had Obama adopted a better PR strategy, then people wouldn't be on television making evidence-free guilt-by-association accusations against him.

This strong me as odd. The people making the accusations kept acknowledging that they had no evidence. One might think that communicating to television personalities the fact that there was no evidence of wrongdoing on Obama's part would constitute a good PR strategy. Given that they knew there was no evidence of wrongdoing, they should have ceased implying that there was wrongdoing. But they didn't do that at all. Not, I would submit, because of any failings on Obama's part, but because Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, John Heileman, Mark Halperin, and Pat Buchanan don't care at all about the accuracy of the impression their coverage gives.

I really can't sum up the past week of coverage any better. What I can do, however, is relate the effects of this coverage. Via Rasmussen Reports:

Forty five percent (45%) of U.S. voters say it is likely President-elect Obama or one of his top campaign aides was involved in the unfolding Blagojevich scandal in Illinois, including 23% who say it is Very Likely.

Just 11% say it is not at all likely, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey taken Thursday and Friday nights.

A key finding, by the way? "Voters nationally are more skeptical than those in Illinois."

What can I say? THE SYSTEM WORKS.

Comments

[Mdazes]

Yes, Joe Scarborough is doing everything in his power to smear Obama without any facts.

[TotallyAmazed]

I'm not the biggest fan of Joe Scarborough, but I try to catch his show in the mornings. He did what he could to ad as much intrigue and mystery to this investigation as he could. I don't have the direct quote, but he said something several times that was supposition at it's best: he kept saying " you can mark my words; there's something that the Gov. knows that will be very embarrassing to Barack Obama or his team if it comes out; Blagojevich knows something and that's why Obama is afraid of coming out loud and clear against him."

Like I said, that's not a direct quote, but pretty close. I'm pretty much sick of 'Morning Joe' at this point, and you're right, Mdazes, he is trying to do all he can to discredit Obama, without any facts.

[darleneslee]

That arrogant fool needs to worry about his own reputation. He's not exactly squeaky clean. MSNBC needs to re-think his contract. He and Mika are a waste of morning time. She rants about sexisim, while he treats her like left over chopped liver.

[YunekFlava]

Hey they didn't ask me, in fact I've never been a part of a political poll. What's up with that?

[bygollymissmolly]

That was a badly worded question. If someone asked me if I thought Obama or someone on his team was "involved" with the Blago scandal I might say yes because I find it hard to believe that Obama didn't let Blago know who his choice would be. But, there's nothing wrong with that. If they had asked the question thus:

"Do you think that Obama or one of his aides approached Blago to "Pay to Play" in his scheme", I'm betting that the poll would have been quite different. "Involved" can be anything from someone calling Blago to say "PE Obama would prefer you appoint XXX" to "PE Obama is willing to give you something if you appoint XXX". One is a logical thing to do, the other is an illegal thing to do.

I believe Obama when he says that no one on his staff did anything inappropriate. And do you know why I think that? BECAUSE THEY AREN'T THAT STUPID AND IT'S NOT OBAMA'S STYLE.

[RJII]

Joe went on and on about this matter. Him and Pat Buchanan were very unobjective. Joe kept saying if this was Sarah Palin the media would be all over it. Hello Joe-- Palin was the focus of the trooper investigation. Obama not only is not implicated, but Blago's own words said Obama wasn't playing along.

MSNBC should be ashamed. Heck all the media stinks nowadays. Joe gotta go.

[KarenT]

Joe is literally in love with Sarah Palin. Of course he would bring that up.

[mocha59]

Not me.

[some-realtalk]

Reporters in this country need to go back to school! They are more interested in trying to turn everything into a soap operas, than to do what journalists are supposed to do, which is ask the questions, and then report the FACTS.
But sadly, more, and more it seems like the press in this country are more interested in playing the guilt by association card, and the insinuations without facts card, than to actually try to be good reporters. It truly is a disgrace! The news press reporters sadly seem no different than the writers working for tabloid magazines.

[snesich]

Notice how this 45% of the public correlates almost exactly with the percentage of the public that voted for John McCain. Surprising? I don't think so...

[StillAmused]

Cosmic GOP co-inky-dinky.

Always is.

[StillAmused]

Hmmm... Morning Joe.

Ever watch a room full of learning-challenged kids, furiously trying to pound square pegs into round holes?

Meanwhile, not a peep about the internal GOP strategy memo (broken on Friday's "Countdown", incidentally) that reveals the Southern GOP auto bailout obstructionists actually on a mission to "get even" with organized labor for supporting Dems.

Not a peep ANYWHERE... including HuffPo!

http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/12/1713569.aspx

--------------------

"From: (redacted)
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:12 AM
To: (redacted)

"Subject: Action Alert -- Auto Bailout

"Today at noon, Senators Ensign, Shelby, Coburn and DeMint will hold a press conference in the Senate Radio/TV Gallery. They would appreciate our support through messaging and attending the press conference, if possible. The message they want us to deliver is:

"1. This is the democrats first opportunity to payoff organized labor after the election. This is a precursor to card check and other items. Republicans should stand firm and take their first shot against organized labor, instead of taking their first blow from it..."

Yeah... that Morning Joe. What a guy.

[PansyRose]

The media cares more about creating scandels than the truth. Also, some of the media takes money to report for the Republican party if we go by past behavior. Journalist today know precious little about correct way to report a story. Sound bits and headlines rule, not the truth. The majority of Americans listen to fox news anyway so what do they learn from that!

[Mugzi]

They have to create problems...that's news...not the real issues we have! That is why MSM is in trouble...are they the next bunch to go under!!!

[cgoodie]

Amazing how quickly they turn, huh? Not a month ago, everyone was complaining that the MSM was responsible for getting him elected. Now they are giving him a hard time. Go figure.

[vjoseph]

Calling Mark Halperin

[bygollymissmolly]

It wasn't the left who was complaining that the MSM got Obama elected, it was the right. And now it appears that they have whipped the MSM back into line.

This is going to be very tiresome listening to their screeches for the next 4 years.

[dthom403]

It's a miracle that Obama has been elected with this shady media. Reverend wright, plagiarism, ayers, attacking Pakistan, lip stick on a pig, taxes, rezko, etc...all fake controversies. I can guarantee none can name a single controversy that the media covered regarding John McCain. The media in general is becoming outrageous. What's happening in sports media is ten times worse.

[bebrave]

Joe Scarborough's jealousy of Obama has become down right sickening. I almost can't watch anymore. But Obama can take care of himself. The real travesty is the way Joe cuts off his guests and colleagues like Barnacle when they're trying to make a point he doesn't agree with. But he barely shows up most weeks. He won't last. (Hopefully they'll give the new guy Carlos his own show in a couple of months). Scarborough likes to say how he would handle things if he were Obama. My response: But you're NOT (Thank goodness). Scarborough doesn't have an ounce of the class Obama has and Mika just a patsy who is hot in the pants and hoping Scarborough will cool her off. I only feel sorry for Barnacle. Soon he'lll just be another radio head.

[bygollymissmolly]

Don't watch. If enough people don't watch he will be cancelled.

[Mdazes]

So true.

[KarenT]

I watch a lot of MSNBC but I stopped watching Joe several months ago. He's pathetic.

[geobushono]

excuse me, but the Dems just don't fight........they turn the other cheek and assume the people will understand.........
If Obama....not his 'spokespersons'....doesn't get up and denounce this disgraced politician, it's just like when we 'knew' Sen Stevens was a crook and the repugs give him applaus..............Blag is DONE-FINISHED-HE'S BEEN CAUGHT....denounce him, the votes Obama would lose are the Serbs in Chicago.
Can we not lose momentum here folks...We're in charge only if we take charge.

[vjoseph]

NEWSFLASH: PICK UP A NEWSPAPER WHY DON'T YOU

[bygollymissmolly]

I guess you don't do your homework before you post because if you had you would see that Obama has denounced Blago and has said he needs to resign. He did it right at the beginning.

[StillIRise]

What else should Obama say? He's already denounced the governor ... several times and in several different ways! Is there another way that he's overlooking?

I don't think even the Serbs in Chicago would defend Blagojevich! In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he's losing support among his own family!

[XME]

Although the media has behaved absolutely attrociously regarding Obama's "connections" to Blogo's scandal, I'd be suprised if their reaction had more than a 5% sway of opion in this poll. Most of those 45% are people who voted against him and who'd find him implicit in ANYTHING nefarious, no matter who blatant his innoncence is!

[sbvpav]

at this point, i'm not sure who is worse, the msm (with good ol' joe scarborough one the lead) or gwb and cheney. one can only shake their head at what has happened to the media......we can vote - and we did! - to get rid of the bush/cheney/gop administration; but the media remains.