Teeves

Watching television, it seems clear that the press is determined to spin
absolutely anything as a win for McCain and anything other than third place as a win for Obama. No surprise about press preferences, but still instructive to mainline it via 24 hour cable news.

Comments

It's pretty sickening, I think. Couple of hours of MSNBC last night and I became (more) despondent about the state of American democracy.

Posted by Will | January 3, 2008 4:14 PM

Watching television, it seems clear that the press is determined to spin
absolutely anything as a win for McCain and anything other than third place as a win for Obama.

You don't think that a second-place finish would be considered a loss for Obama, especially if Clinton finishes first? At this point he's considered at least a co-front runner in Iowa.

Posted by Gabriel | January 3, 2008 4:18 PM

Obama and McCain have already won the Village Primary. They'd still turn on Obama in a general election, him still being the Democrat and all.

For all the complaining about the non-democratic nature of the Iowa Caucuses; low turnout, byzantine rules and all. The caucuses are still much more democratic than media spin and chattering class 'narratives' that really rule the process.

Posted by AJ | January 3, 2008 4:24 PM

As much as the Village infuriates me, I can imagine worse election choices.

Posted by NCProsecutor | January 3, 2008 4:51 PM

I figured that fix (Obama/McCain) was in a log time ago, at least to the extent the Beltway Bandits could manage it. And what does the Beltway want, besides more war?

It's about entitlements, Social Security, taxes, elite privilege. Obama will give Joe Klein what he wants. Obama is not tricking the moderates & Republicans, he is fooling his base.

I guess he is that good.

Posted by bob mcmanus | January 3, 2008 4:58 PM

That's the one reason I never counted McCain out totally. The might wurlitzer wants to keep him around as much as possible. Besides, who will Tweety does his Aqua Velva swoon over once Rudy and Hollywood Fred are toast?

Posted by Joe Klein's conscience | January 3, 2008 5:08 PM

Jeez, I hate to read this stuff. It seems to be right, but I still hate to read it. I don't watch the teevee, so I rely on papers, radio and the google to tell me what the serious folks think and they think the same stuff that the teevee folks think. Pushing a weak democrat to the middle to try to reach the republican base while alienating the activists is what the serious folks want and I guess Obama will fit the bill.

Posted by Peter Driscoll | January 3, 2008 5:22 PM

Haven't you already seen how even 3rd place finish in the midwest won't hurt Obama but anything less but a win for Clinton or Edwards dooms their campaign? Like you know on the post below this one.

Posted by Rob | January 3, 2008 5:37 PM

I don't know what cable news Matt is supposedly watching. I had CNN on today for a full hour, and they had wall-to-wall coverage of a new Missing White Woman. Pay attention, people!

Posted by thefax | January 3, 2008 5:43 PM

No way -- at this point, according the teevee, anything other than Obama in first place is a devastating loss, whereas if Hillary comes out above fourth, she's fine.

But I do agree, McCain in third is a big win and in fourth is a minor win.

Posted by cms | January 3, 2008 6:30 PM

I have to say, one thing that is extremely annoying about coverage is how the reporters act as if 1) they know NOTHING about how get-out-the-vote works and 2) they've never seen this happen before - ever!

Why, volunteers on the phone have SCRIPTS to go through when talking to a potential supporter. Imagine that, a PHONE SCRIPT.

Why, campaigns are even offering RIDES and BABYSITTING! Who would have thought?

Clearly this is a groundbreaking election.

Posted by cms | January 3, 2008 6:35 PM

Stop watching teevee.

Posted by Antid Oto | January 3, 2008 7:55 PM