Obama Embraces Media Hype about Economic 'Turmoil'

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20080903141406.aspx

Networks virtually ignore good economic news, don't challenge claim economy in 'crisis.'

By Julia A. Seymour
Business & Media Institute
9/3/2008 2:38:53 PM

As Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., accepted his party’s nomination for president he warned of an American economy in “turmoil.” Throughout convention week the news media helped reinforce Obama’s negative perspective.

During the Democratic convention week, networks broadcast pessimistic reports about the economy and downplayed or ignored the announcement that second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) rose by a full percentage point more than expected. The media even validated Obama’s assertion that the Clinton administration built an “incredible” economy, although the economy grew slower than 3.3 percent during nearly half of Clinton’s presidency.

“We meet at one of those defining moments, a moment when our nation is at war, our economy is in turmoil, and the American promise has been threatened once more,” Obama said in his August 28 speech during the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Later in the speech he added that America “cannot turn back … not with an economy to fix.”

Journalists seemed to agree, giving Obama credit for attacking Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., on the economy. “Red meat” was a buzzword for Democratic attacks on McCain throughout the convention and that’s what ABC’s George Stephanopoulos praised Obama for on August 28.

On “Nightline,” the chief Washington correspondent for ABC and former Clinton senior adviser gave Obama an “A” for red meat. “He came out hard, he came out tough against John McCain on the economy and foreign policy,” Stephanopoulos said.

Tom Brokaw, the former anchor of NBC “Nightly News,” matched Obama’s gloomy refrain on August 29. But his complaint didn’t take into consideration good economic news from the day before about 3.3 percent growth of gross domestic product and oil and gas prices that have been falling from July highs.

FULL story AND VIDEO at link.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. Yeah, WTF is wrong with Obama? The economy s in fine shape

for everyone who matters, i.e. anyone making over 5 mil a year. Who gives a shit about the peasants? They're a bunch of whiners anyway.