If we have learned nothing else during the 2008 presidential election, we do know that the liberal media outlets of America gave every effort they had to get Barack Obama, the Chosen One, elected as the 44th President of the United States of America.
First it was their reluctance, if not complete refusal, to fulfill the journalistic duty to dig up the background of a candidate for political office. Connections to the corrupt political machine in Chicago? No serious efforts made to find out answers to whom he was tied to, who he supported, and received campaign contributions from. Questionable authenticity to his “working class” roots as a child (although he was raised early on by a single mother, he spent considerable time with his grandparents attending a fairly elite private school in Hawaii)? Let the past be the past. Or maybe his hollow record as a state and U.S. senator? Oh, but he gives such moving speeches. My favorite would have to be his changing positions on gun rights, immigration, telecommunication immunity, meeting with rogue foreign dictators, et al during his campaign. Not one of these problematic areas of the Chosen One’s rhetoric and background have be truly challenged by the liberal outlets. And for that we are worse off as a public relying on them to inform us of those who intend to lead this nation’s government.
But the recent, deplorable coverage of Governor Sarah Palin’s background is where the liberal media stepped over the line with their disguised tactics in this election year, and for that I think the GOP will be thanking them in November.
Yes, that is right. The GOP will be inviting any and all members of the liberal broadcast and print journalism industry to their victory party in early November. That is because their efforts will, ironically, work in opposition to their media darling, the Chosen One.
Early polling is showing that the American public is well aware of the unfair coverage, and does not like it. What the media is doing is endearing the voters to Sarah Palin, and thus to John McCain and the GOP ticket. It’s simple, really. People see Gov. Palin as a courageous working mom who stands up to bullies, is honest and down-to-earth to the people she serves, and really has genuine aspirations of helping this country by changing the ways of the Beltway. But, unlike the Chosen One, she has actually done the things she promises to bring to Washington, instead of just talking about doing these great wonders. Call in the overzealous media elite to level the playing field.
The unmerited attempts of media outlets to bring down Palin by fabricating stories such as her membership to the Alaska Independence Party (which has unsuccessfully attempted to secede from the Union in the past), revealing her husband’s DUI arrest 20 years ago, and even questioning whether she is the true mother of Trig are disgusting at best. Oh, and did I mention they have spent some time covering the pre-marital relations of her daughter, Bristol?
Unfortunately for the media elites, they don’t understand people. They can play dirty politics all day long, but it is only helping strengthen the base of the GOP, and further, engendering more respect and adulation for Gov. Palin’s strength to stand up to those who are trying to undermine her. It is only going to drive people towards Palin, not away. And, in such a close election as this is turning out to be, it might just be one factor that tips the election in favor of McCain. And for that, the GOP will reserve many bottles of champagne for that same media come November.
Guest posted by Brad Christie, South Texas College of Law ‘10
