The Biggest Media Lie

[TeamPooka]

"During the summer voters aren't paying attention."
They all say it, Fox, MSNBC, CNN and the nets.
It's not true, people are paying attention.
If they weren't the candidates would not be campaigning.

[think]

1. Most MIC News is not fit for human consumption

but it's readily available, cheap, and the kids think it tastes great....

[TeamPooka]

8. it's free too!

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Actually it is not a media lie

it is standard political science. Most voters, from surveys et al, over the last few cycles (as in a century or more), we know Summer is a low attention for voters.

Now that does not mean that they are absolutely not paying attention, things like the Bain Capital scandal will penetrate. But this is standard poli sci thinking, and not just for the US. THis is also the logic behind SHORTER electoral seasons in other countries.

[TeamPooka]

3. also a part of standard political science is...

that the candidate who defines their opponent earliest wins.
Like Bush did to Kerry in the summer of 04.
Like Clinton did to Dole in the summer of 1996
Like Reagan did to Mondale in the summer of 1984.
The only people who seem to understand that folks are always paying attention, are sitting Presidents.

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. Yes, but on this, it's not the media

Which is my point.

[Motown_Johnny]

5. I think the biggest lie is that most media is liberal

there is no liberal media. There are only different variations on conservative media which range up to conservative propaganda.

[think]

6. well stated /nt

[TeamPooka]

7. hear hear!

so true

[limpyhobbler]

9. Most people think it's a waste of time to pay attention to the presidential race & they are correct.

At least 90% of people already have their minds made up who to vote for. So why should they pay attention? Most of the news coverage is inside baseball type of stuff. They cover the horse race but there is very little actual policy substance. Why the heck would anyone want to sit through 5 Chevron commercials in an hour just to hear some regurgitated spin about Ann Romney's horse or Obama's birth certificate or whatever. People know theatre when they see it. It's certainly no more important than the business news on CNBC, or a committee hearing on CSPAN. Political junkies are paying attention to the presidential race. And that's cool. There is nothing wrong with that if someone enjoys the sport aspect of the horse race. But let's not mistake it for something more important than it actually is.

[B Calm]

10. Did the White Sox win last night?