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WHEN WILL MEDIA TURN ON OBAMA?

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November 18, 2008 07:43 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 3, 2008

A Giddy Sense of Boosterism

By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, November 17, 2008; C01

Perhaps it was the announcement that NBC News is coming out with a DVD titled "Yes We Can: The Barack Obama Story." Or that ABC and USA Today are rushing out a book on the election. Or that HBO has snapped up a documentary on Obama's campaign.Perhaps it was the Newsweek commemorative issue -- "Obama's American Dream" -- filled with so many iconic images and such stirring prose that it could have been campaign literature. Or the Time cover depicting Obama as FDR, complete with jaunty cigarette holder.

Are the media capable of merchandizing the moment, packaging a president-elect for profit? Yes, they are.

What's troubling here goes beyond the clanging of cash registers. Media outlets have always tried to make a few bucks off the next big thing. The endless campaign is over, and there's nothing wrong with the country pulling together, however briefly, behind its new leader. But we seem to have crossed a cultural line into mythmaking.

"The Obamas' New Life!" blares People's cover, with a shot of the family. "New home, new friends, new puppy!" Us Weekly goes with a Barack quote: "I Think I'm a Pretty Cool Dad." The Chicago Tribune trumpets that Michelle "is poised to be the new Oprah and the next Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis -- combined!" for the fashion world.

Whew! Are journalists fostering the notion that Obama is invincible, the leader of what the New York Times dubbed "Generation O"?Each writer, each publication, seems to reach for more eye-popping superlatives. "OBAMAISM -- It's a Kind of Religion," says New York magazine. "Those of us too young to have known JFK's Camelot are going to have our own giddy Camelot II to enrapture and entertain us," Kurt Andersen writes.

The New York Post has already christened it "BAM-A-LOT."

"Here we are," writes Salon's Rebecca Traister, "oohing and aahing over what they'll be wearing, and what they'll be eating, what kind of dog they'll be getting, what bedrooms they'll be living in, and what schools they'll be attending. It feels better than good to sniff and snurfle through the Obamas' tastes and habits. . . . Who knew we had in us the capacity to fall for this kind of idealized Americana again?"

But aren't media people supposed to resist this kind of hyperventilating?

"Obama is a figure, especially in pop culture, in a way that most new presidents are not," historian Michael Beschloss says. "Young people who may not be interested in the details of NAFTA or foreign policy just think Obama is cool, and they're interested in him. Being cool can really help a new president."

So can a sense of optimism, reflected on USA Today's front page. "Poll: Hopes soaring for Obama, administration," the headline said, with 65 percent saying "the USA will be better off 4 years from now."

But what happens when adulation gives way to the messy, incremental process of governing? When Obama has to confront a deep-rooted financial crisis, two wars and a political system whose default setting is gridlock? When he makes decisions that inevitably disappoint some of his boosters?

"We're celebrating a moment as much as a man, I think," says Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham, whose new issue, out today, compares Obama to Lincoln. "Given our racial history, an hour or two of commemoration seems appropriate. But there is no doubt that the glow of the moment will fade, and I am sure the coverage will reflect that in due course."

One of the few magazines to strike a skeptical tone is the London-based Economist, which endorsed Obama. "With such a victory come unreasonably great expectations," its lead editorial says.

Web worship of Obama is nearly limitless. On YouTube alone, the Obama Girl song, "I've Got a Crush on Obama," has been viewed 11.7 million times. Even an unadorned video of the candidate's election night speech in Chicago has drawn 3.5 million views.

I am not trying to diminish the sheer improbability of what this African American politician, a virtual unknown four years ago, has accomplished. Every one of us views his victory through a personal lens. I thought of growing up in a "Leave It to Beaver" era, when there were no blacks in leading television roles until Bill Cosby was tapped as the co-star of "I Spy" in 1965. When the Watts riots broke out that year, the Los Angeles Times sent an advertising salesman to cover it because the paper had no black reporters. The country has traveled light-years since then.It is hard to find a precedent in American history.

Ronald Reagan was a marquee star because of his Hollywood career, but mainly among older voters, since he made his last movie 16 years before winning the White House in 1980. Jack Kennedy was a more formal figure after winning the 1960 election -- "trying to look older than he was, because he thought youth was a handicap in running for president," Beschloss says -- but quickly took on larger-than-life dimensions.

"The Kennedy buildup goes on," James MacGregor Burns wrote in the New Republic in the spring of 1961. "The adjectives tumble over one another. He is not only the handsomest, the best-dressed, the most articulate, and graceful as a gazelle. He is omniscient; he swallows and digests whole books in minutes; he confounds experts with his superior knowledge of their field. He is omnipotent."Soon afterward, Kennedy blundered into the

Bay of Pigs debacle.The media would be remiss if they didn't reflect the sense of unadulterated joy that greeted Obama's election, both here and around the world, and the pride even among those who opposed him. Newspapers were stunned and delighted at the voracious demand for post-election editions, prompting The Washington Post and other papers to print hundreds of thousands of extra copies and pocket the change. (When else have we felt so loved lately?) Demand for inaugural tickets has been unprecedented. Barack is suddenly a hot baby name. Record companies are releasing hip-hop songs, by the likes of Jay-Z and Will.I.Am, with such titles as "Pop Champagne for Barack." Consumers, the Los Angeles Times reports, are buying up "Obama-themed T-shirts, buttons, bobblehead dolls, coffee mugs, wine bottles, magnets, greeting cards, neon signs, mobile phones and framed art prints."

A barrage of Obama-related books are in the works. Newsweek's quadrennial election volume is titled "A Long Time Coming: The Historic, Combative, Expensive and Inspiring 2008 Election and the Victory of Barack Obama." Publishers obviously see a bull market.

MSNBC, which was accused of cheerleading for the Democratic nominee during the campaign, is running promos that say: "Barack Obama, America's 44th president. Watch as a leader renews America's promise." What are viewers to make of that?There is always a level of excitement when a new president is coming to town -- new aides to profile, new policies to dissect, new family members to follow. But can anyone imagine this kind of media frenzy if

John McCain had managed to win?

Obama's days of walking on water won't last indefinitely. His chroniclers will need a new story line. And sometime after Jan. 20, they will wade back into reality.

Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom. (Alexis de Tocqueville)
November 18, 2008 08:05 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
May 23, 2008

Just like the MSM got tired of Bill Clinton after his inaguration? No. Obama is going to be the headline cash cow for the Left wing controlled mass media for it is they who can take a large amount of credit in getting Obama into the White House. Along with the mistakes on our side of the campain trail.

Unless Obama can be Impeached for actions while occuping the White House, Americans are stuck with this Socialist and his Socialist party and all the damage they do to us Americans and our way of life untill Jan 20 2013.

Oh, I am sure the media may make examples of some low on the food chain peon in Obama's party to make it apprear to the rest of us that they are being objective, but they are all in bed togehter!

I would not be heggin any bets on the media turning on Comrade General Secretary Obama anytime between now and the day he is gone from the White House.



Secure the borders. My son was murdered by a drunken illegal Mexican national who has never been caught. 07/02/06
November 18, 2008 10:00 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 14, 2007
You'd think they'd have turned on him on election night in Chicago when he stuck all the media in a corral all fenced in!!  But who claimed the media were smart!  As long as their agenda is being followed, they'll walk through fire for their messiah!.

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder
November 18, 2008 10:07 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
May 16, 2007
Better question.... When will it snow in hell?

"There is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: The bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen." -- Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) "In general, Democrats are the only real reason to vote for Republicans." -- Thomas Sowell FeedFwd: a born again coonass trapped in Austin, TX, USA
November 18, 2008 11:29 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 16, 2007
FeedFwd never. Never they like holding on to someone like themselves liars all of them. When they lose all that they have maybe? Then angain they will say it was bushs fault. That is how liberals think they are sicko's the hole bunch.

Hello everyone
November 18, 2008 12:09 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 12, 2007

I don't think the media will EVER admit they were wrong.  After all, this is the first President ever elected by the media while doing their best to totally ruin the other candidate. It worked beyond their wildest dreams, people who have never voted in their entire lives voted in this election. Granted, they may hae had no idea who or what they were voting for, but nevertheless, they DID vote.

It's possible Obama can and will get away with anything without much of a fuss being raised by the media.  Citizens may be allowed to complain up to a point, as long as they don't demand justice.

The media can never say they were wrong about getting the Messiah elected without making themselves look like the traitors they really are.
November 18, 2008 12:14 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
March 3, 2007

The media is also backing Pelosi's idea to SILENCE talk radio......

Not surprised by any of the actions taken by the media....but if they keep it up...WE THE PEOPLE should gang up on them....

The media is OWNED by the liberals.....get it?! 



"I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the US Congress." Ronald Reagan "Evil is powerless when the good are unafraid." Ronald Reagan
November 18, 2008 12:24 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 2, 2007
Comment updated November 18, 2008 12:27 PM

What would the media do if Obama is unable to provide a valid birth certificate? Some suggest that Barry is an illegal alien. Watch the first couple of minutes of this video and it will make you wonder...

Scroll down and click on the video that’s in the middle of the page called:

"Phil Berg addresses rally at U.S. Supreme Court - October 30th, 2008 - Video"

http://www.obamacrimes.com/

Just watch this video for the first 2-3 minutes, you'll become unraveled! It tells the story of Obamas immigration status. MIND BOGGLING!!!  The video says that when Obama was in school he put down his religion as Islam.  Go figure...



Just one of the Plethora of Bad Azz Patriots!
November 18, 2008 12:35 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 14, 2007
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((BTB))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))  So GOOOOOOOOD to see you!!!  Welcome back...hope all is well.

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder
November 18, 2008 01:45 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 16, 2007
They will do nothing. Like they always do. 

Hello everyone
November 18, 2008 04:35 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 3, 2008
Rex47 said:

Just like the MSM got tired of Bill Clinton after his inaguration? No. Obama is going to be the headline cash cow for the Left wing controlled mass media for it is they who can take a large amount of credit in getting Obama into the White House. Along with the mistakes on our side of the campain trail.

Unless Obama can be Impeached for actions while occuping the White House, Americans are stuck with this Socialist and his Socialist party and all the damage they do to us Americans and our way of life untill Jan 20 2013.

Oh, I am sure the media may make examples of some low on the food chain peon in Obama's party to make it apprear to the rest of us that they are being objective, but they are all in bed togehter!

I would not be heggin any bets on the media turning on Comrade General Secretary Obama anytime between now and the day he is gone from the White House.

 

Sure they will.  Look how fast they kicked McCain to the curb after they discovered he wasn't the secret liberal they thought he was back in 2000.

Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom. (Alexis de Tocqueville)
November 18, 2008 04:42 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
May 16, 2007
Comment updated November 18, 2008 04:45 PM

I don't think they ever liked McCain when compared to another democrat.  They only liked McCain when running against conservative republicans.  Remember, this is the bunch who kicked Lieberman to the curb and probably are still pretty frosty toward Jumpin' Jim Jeffords.  Pulling for a republican, even against other republicans gave them a sense that they were truly fair and balanced and unbiased.  They could always say.... "See, we were for McCain."   He never understood the concept of triangulation.  Instead of staking out a 3rd position, he kept using the liberal position and never realized the full conservative potential.  That he got as many votes as he did is a testament to just how awful Obama is for most conservatives.  Maybe the republican party will rebuild itself with conservative stripes, but I'm afraid we will get more Bush/Dole/Bush/McCain.  Not a compelling conservative in the lot.



"There is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: The bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen." -- Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) "In general, Democrats are the only real reason to vote for Republicans." -- Thomas Sowell FeedFwd: a born again coonass trapped in Austin, TX, USA
November 18, 2008 04:43 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
April 16, 2007
FeedFed so on.

Hello everyone
November 20, 2008 01:44 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
November 20, 2008

I don't think the media will ever turn on Obama, he's their man!
November 20, 2008 08:26 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
May 16, 2007

...unless he gets caught in bed with a live boy or a dead girl... and the way things are going, even that may not matter much longer.

Frown



"There is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: The bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen." -- Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) "In general, Democrats are the only real reason to vote for Republicans." -- Thomas Sowell FeedFwd: a born again coonass trapped in Austin, TX, USA

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