the real losers from the SWVFT fiasco: the press

[freedom_to_read]

I agree with those who say that, in the long run, this stupid smear campaign is not going to affect Kerry's run.

But I think it will have an indirect effect on this race and others to come. Because, like the WMD fiasco before it, it is another highly-public example of the piss-poor state of modern journalism (especially TV journalism). And I think it's finally getting blatant enough that the general populace will start to become suspicious of the fallacious gruel they are being fed 24x7 called "news."

In the long run, again this is IMHO, what people will take away from this is not that Kerry is a liar or traitor, baby-eater, or whatever it is we're supposed to believe. They WILL remember the SBVFT as snake oil salesmen, and the press as either (a) incompetent, (b) biased, or (c) both.

[volosong]

1. I'm Not So Sure

Kerry has lost ground over the Smear boat ads among conservative Democrats and some moderate Republican groups.

Long-term effects uncertain, but damage has been done.

The press have always been losers, but only you and I know that.

[EST]

2. The "press" is the only clear winner here.

n/t

[EndElectoral]

3. Absolutely, look at all the politcal dollars they get in ads...

Kerry would not have spent this ad money this way. THe press has dealt with this shamefully. I wonder if moveon.org ran a vicious attack on Bush's medals from the Guard, would the press conver that to this extent. OF couse not.

[tom_paine]

4. They absolutely would NOT cover it this way

That's like asking if Soviet Pravda would cover Brezhnev scandals the same way it covered dissident scandals.

That sort of thing just doesn't happen in Totalitarian Nations such as the Soviet Union and Imperial America.

[greekspeak]

5. I think you are incorrect...this has hurt Kerry

It was a pack of lies. So what? The "librul" media has made sure to ignore that. The RW REFUSES to play fair, with their double standards, their big fat no bid contracts, their stranglehold on a huge swath of America's christians, and their own "librul" media.