Why is Edwards being "kucinich-ed" by the MSM?

[Kip Humphrey]

Defying the results in Iowa, the MSM are portraying the Democratic race as a two-way race between Obama and Clinton, with mention of Edwards either non-existent or a mere footnote.

Think it has anything to do with Edward's strong anti-corporatist message or his ability to actually succeed in turning us away from global corporatism and breaking the stranglehold of big bankrolled special interests on our federal government?

This shutout of Edwards by the MSM is far more persuasive to me than anything Edwards could say or do that he, Edwards, is exactly what we need to take our country back.

In order to wrench our country back from global corporatist fascism, we first need Edwards. The battle will not be pretty but it must be fought and won BEFORE we can engage in a vision of national unity embodied in Obama.

[rurallib]

1. not too odd that the anti-corporation candidate would be ignored

by the corporate media. And who will tell this tale? Not the corporate media for sure. Nice setup huh?

[Rosemary2205]

2. Didn't Edwards pour a lot of years and money into Iowa?

3rd place on delegates is a poor showing for that much time and effort. If he takes NH or SC then you might see a change but I think the MSM now is thinking Edwards is cooked. Just MHO.

[Benhurst]

3. Edwards came in second in Iowa; but don't let that interfere with your

spin.

Nice transition from the Iowa caucus results to totals which include super delegates though. It's almost convincing.

http://www.iowacaucusresults.com/

[Blackhatjack]

9. I wouldn't count those 'Super Delegate' votes for HRC just yet....

Remember that Hillary was the MSM framed 'inevitable' nominee winner for years, and she came in THIRD in Iowa.

Super Delegates can change their minds about who gets their vote right up to time the convention votes are tallied, and no poll will ever put a single Super Delegate vote in a candidate's column until then.

[spooky3]

13. Edwards spent about 1/4 as much as Clinton and Obama each in Iowa,

according to data posted on DU within the past several weeks.

[ironrooster]

4. I get the NYTimes every morning...

and today there was NO memtion of John UNTIL the 10th page; yet Obama, Clinton and Hukabee were given substantial space.

You are correct that the glaring ommissions say something about the media fear of Edwards. It's not that he is 'cooked' as the poster

below has suggested, but that now there is a chance he might not be cooked!

[Demeter]

52. My Local Fishwrap Didn't Mention Iowa on the Front Page At All

but there was a nice article about this fearmongering woman in Tuscon who was selling pink tasers using the Tupperware marketing plan....

[colonel odis]

5. corporate america REALLY doesn't want john edwards in the white house.

expect to see no mercy from their minions in the media.

GE is a war profiteer and a major polluter. think the nbc networks are gonna give edwards a fair shake?

[Pachamama]

17. They are terrified of him...It is also why when anybody goes negative or on the attack against him,

I'm going to be donating $20.08 each time to him. I figure if all of us give what we can and keep showing that Edwards is supported by the people and finance him enough to keep up with the defense against all this and to allow him to get the message out, then he may very well in the end come out ahead, no matter how much the corporate media tries to shut him out.

On the other hand, the Corporate MSM are whores. So if Edwards was suddenely coming with money for ads, they would take his money and start giving him attention...Another reason for us to support him financially.... :hi:

[robcon]

6. I think it's a recognition that Edwards has almost no chance.

He's not leading in a single state in any of the polls, and he placed all his hope on Iowa.

[rucky]

7. He spoke against media consolidation.

That'll get you 86'ed among the 5 corps that own most of the media outlets.

[bobbolink]

46. BINGO! He had the *nerve* to rattle the media cages! Rabble-rouser, that Edwards.

:hi:

[rubberducky]

8. This is why I have been contributing to him as much as I can.

He is totally ignored everywhere, because of his platform against corporations.

[upi402]

10. Edwards - Kucinich would bring on the Dean scream job n/t

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

11. Because he staked his whole goddamn campaign on Iowa and got thrashed.

Because he's not going to win NH and has (as far as I'm aware) never polled above 20% in South Carolina. If his numbers go up, the media will start paying attention. At the moment his campaign appears stagnant.

[EFerrari]

12. I'm more cynical than that. Edwards hasn't spent a brazilion dollars

on media. That makes him less real to them in the first place.

[spooky3]

14. but neither has Huckabee, yet as MediaMatters.org shows

the media attention to Huckabee has been far more favorable.

[EFerrari]

15. That's interesting. I didn't know that.

[spooky3]

18. there are several stories linked here you might want to see:

http://mediamatters.org/

you might also find this WaPo story interesting:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/28/AR2007122802477_pf.html

looks as if some big Repub money folks started to help Huckabee in late Dec., though he's still way behind Romney, Giuliani, Clinton and Obama in fundraising.

[readmoreoften]

16. Now why would Murdoch, Eisner, and Redstone censor someone who wants to check their power?

(not Redstone the DUer, heh heh)

[autorank]

19. In two words - Media Consolidation ... Well that's for stasrters

Very good to see you!

They can't stand the truth. No more media consolidation and real taxes for real entities.

He tried to make nice with the media's owners and they didn't go for it. Not capitulating, just giving
them a bit of a break rhetorically and not hammering them with his first tax proposals. But I suspect
that he's learned. Screw 'em. Their idea of taking back the country is keeping us from doing it.

[Froward69]

20. WWAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2590816&mesg_id=2599432

[balantz]

21. What a silly remark.

Look at what it says that the media is ignoring Edwards having placed second in Iowa. The other option would be to accept the skew and go with the flow. I would like to add, why wouldn't the other two leading candidates release a statement about this blatant disregard and fight this battle for nomination fairly with their conscience cleared with the American people that they recognize the media ignoring Edwards?

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

23. He placed a bad second in Iowa where he's been campaigning for years.

He's almost certainly going to come in third in NH and is not polling much better in any of the other early primary states. Whaddya want, a freakin' medal?

[balantz]

24. Another silly remark.

Why would I want a medal? The man is still clearly in the race with his placing, I only ask for fair recognition by the media.

[Froward69]

27. And Bidens placing would

have better if he had received any media attention. so there you have it. edwards got more media than Biden... placed Higher. had the shoe been on the other foot... I would freely admit and abhor how much edwards gets. after all why doesn't he just Butt in, like he did with the Buhtto assignation? thats his track record. why change rhetoric or tactic? oh yeah edwards the chameleon. a different policy for every room.

[bobbolink]

47. Your bitterness speaks well of Obama.

We can see, from your hostility, what we would get with Barack.

[Froward69]

25. I reiterate

WWWWAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! boo freaking Hoo. the medias shameful focus has been apparent from the beginning. where were they for BIDEN??? so they not being there for Edwards gains NO sympathy from me.

[balantz]

26. They weren't there much for Edwards either.

But Edwards has placed second in Iowa.

[Froward69]

28. yeah they were

The "top tier" coverage? edwards people weren't crying BEFORE Iowa... so you all start now?

Boo freaking Hoo!

[balantz]

30. Well, all I can say for you is I'm sorry your candidate got shafted too.

[progressoid]

57. Hey, thanks for kicking my thread!

:thumbsup:

[Beelzebud]

22. It's obvious. He's the one talking about media consolidation, and how wrong it is.

The pay-masters don't like that.

[Peregrine Took]

29. That was Howard Dean's undoing, too. Look what they did to him.

The "scream" was nothing but a yebel yell to his troops not to give up hope at the end of a political rally and the MSM crucified him that night and ever after.

[WinkyDink]

31. They merely want to spend their $$ on the horses they figure will finish.

Nothing to do with democracy, issues, meaningfulness, or voters.

Notice nothing is being said about BUSH, IRAQ, the CONSTITUTION, VPlame, U.S. ATTORNEY FIRINGS, etc.??

[KoKo]

32. Hillary and Obama got tons of money from Big Pharma...Edwards in the '04 Race

was advocating doing away with Prescription Drug Advertising on TV. He also is a trial lawyer and with so many Pharma Companies having trouble with their products killing people...they sure as heck don't want a "Trial Lawyer" like Edwards as President.

His attack on Corporate Greed sealed the nail in his coffin. The McCorporate Media knows how to move a candidate and how to shut them down. They are shutting Edwards down. And, it does make you wonder what kind of administration Obama or Clinton II would be running. Remember, too that the Media De-regulation Bill passed in '96 on Clinton's watch gave everything away to the very Media who hounded the Clintons. The media will pay Clintons back for not vetoing that bill if they have no other choice.
Hillary's coziness with Murdoch was probably a "handshake" to call his dogs off and give Clinton II another chance.

[LWolf]

33. Perhaps for the same reason Kucnich is. n/t

[taylor egv420106]

35. Not really

Edwards actually has supporters, actually got a delegate in Iowa and has actually actively campaigned in both Iowa and NH.

If anything he is the anti DK.

[LWolf]

49. DK has actual supporters.

I know, because I'm one of them. I've been one since 2003. It's true he didn't visit Iowa much, but his campaign in NH has been pretty active.

I wouldn't say Edwards is the "anti DK." I'd say he's the more watered down, mainstream, acceptable and therefore "electable" version. At least, if his current platform and rhetoric are sincere.

That's why so many DK supporters have him in 2nd place. DK supporters tend to be issues people, and to make that the first priority, which is why we support him whether or not the rest of the party does. He beats everyone on issues. For the more pragmatic, they'll go with their 2nd choice: the one that CURRENTLY comes closest.

[taylor egv420106]

34. Actually

I think it has more to do with the fact that Edwards has comparatively little to no money, has basically spent four years in Iowa for 30% of the caucus vote and less than a few days to build a political machine in NH. If you think Edwards is equally equipped for the long haul right now you are kidding yourself.

[mitchtv]

36. NBC was despicable

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2596317&mesg_id=2596317

NBC "News" Iowa Caucus
All about winner Barak Obama and loser Hillary Clinton (Third Place) for about 5 minutes; final two seconds "Oh yeah, John Edwards came in second". Brian Williams is a scum bag

[EVDebs]

41. NBC deleted Hilary's theme song "It's Money That Matters" from Youtube.com

"This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by NBC Universal"
http://www.youtube.com/index?&session=vbVWNPkPtgQEYU8Kn9HRGC8DFTUp3x29TyE3yDTnn64u_89EBbKPJv3oXEv31kEefBy9P0idEtDpigkV_4BbqE356bZ22-UvlDBR-pcjmmWKRsk4JElMqXyaGY0CtK6ASh8JHX_nIN8uBOi9ddwKpuPvWpZzdsBJ_wtrMWED4iD5Qtf9gmkg0Apk_g5EO5mRL_rEfUftgdzs9N5YbP9-rgWCxTeTICQz4U4SsRcFwbIVWX_UDtyZ7A==

but you can still see the music video at this site (wait 36 seconds in):
http://www.hotget.com/videocode/Randy-Newman-Its-Money-That-Matters,29998.html

It's too bad HRC is the M$M's favorite and that Obama will still leave the corporate interests sit at the table ! HRC knows better and Obama is naive at best. Edwards is the progressive's only hope in this election.

[Clinton Crusader]

37. I was watching Russert this morning

and all it was was ad nauseum ObamaClintonObamaClinton.

They FINALLY got around to Edwards, but it was doom and gloom and he's finished, he needed to win, he'll disappear after NH, if OBAMA wins NH, he'll be president, it was nauseating and revolting.

The MSM is shaping and cultivating what they want it to be - a two way race. Since Hillary came in third how come SHE'S not finished????

I've only seen Keith give Edwards a fair shake. Elizabeth gave Tweety a run for his money, asshat that he is.

The whole thing makes me sick LITERALLY and the only thing we can do is donate as much as we can to Edwards to keep him going.

http://www.johnedwards.com

[Clinton Crusader]

38. A kick. n/t

[jannyk]

39. Because he's neither Black nor Female....

the MSM is milking the melodrama of 'a first Black President or first Female President' drier than a Witches Teat. The subject provides them with unlimited possibilities to fill the airwaves with their vapid and inane opinions as to why the US will/will not elect the first (so called) minority candidate. What the two candidates have to say is always reported couched in reference to their gender/race - the substance of what they say is largely untouched.

To the MSM, a 'Black against a Woman for President' is 'newsworthy' - they can be as hyperbolic as only the MSM can be and they will keep it going as long as they can. Very rarely do their 'platforms' get mentioned/critiqued - just their gender/race and how that will effect their decisions/opinions. Endless hours are wasted in the discussion of 'America's Readiness' to embrace a non-traditional candidate. I've now been hearing much ballyhoo and bullshit as to Iowa voting for Obama to erase 'Slave Guilt'!

If JE announced he was a Bi-Sexual, Impotent, Alcoholic Buddhist that had had an affair with Brittany Spears and/or Tom Cruise, he'd be on the boob tube 24/7. Of course, no-one would ask him about his agenda/platform - just whether the country was ready to accept a President such as he. They'd then endlessly discuss whether he would get all Bi-Sexual support or just the Impotent ones.

Unfortunately, he's a happily married, never divorced, successful white man with no major skeletons in his closet - no matter his 'message' or 'substance' - he ain't deemed 'newsworthy' (unless he happens to be getting a haircut that week)!

The MSM has decided they want to manipulate a Clinton vs Obama 'Superbowl' - it's their wetdream come true, and if we're not careful, they will get their wish - again!

[Yukari Yakumo]

40. It's so simple that even a caveman could understand it.

Edwards bet everything on Iowa and lost. He gambled on winning Iowa to give him a major momentum boost but failed to accomplish that. He now sits at a dismal third in nearly every state with his numbers stagnant, at best. Everyone with the slightest clue knows Edwards's campaign is toast.

[EVDebs]

43. He's No. 1 in CA but the most populous states aren't getting counted

only small states with IA, a population the size of the East Bay ! and NH with a population the size of San Jose if you're lucky.

CA gets in on Super Tuesday

BTW,
Hilary's Theme song, It's Money That Matters,
http://www.hotget.com/videocode/Randy-Newman-Its-Money-That-Matters,29998.html

[HCE SuiGeneris]

55. You are on glue.

As always, your "worldy vision" extends to less than the length of your nose.

[Emit]

42. I think it has something to do with this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2600733&mesg_id=2601672

Without majority support of regular delegates and without majority support of these superdelegates, his chances of winning are slim and the media knows that and is writing him off, maybe?

Edited to add, it confirms the adage, IMHO, that the powers that be, including the media, will be making all the decisions, not the voters, really.

[OzarkDem]

44. Because his health care reform plan scares them

just as Dennis' single payer plan did. The insurance companies and their pals on Wall Street have a lot invested in keeping the status quo for private health insurance. They're investing a great deal in this race and Edwards plan, because it forces them to compete with federal programs.

Private insurance companies have a huge stake in this election and they're going to combat any candidate with a real reform plan.

[superkia]

45. If more people would have took a stand when it was being done...

to Kucinich, maybe it wouldn't be happening to Edwards now. Thats the problem here in America, no one wants to do anything if it doesn't affect them personally and they don't realize that eventually the corruption will come for them and they will have no one to defend them. When those of us Kucinich supporters were speaking out about his COMPLETE blackout, allot of people just said that his percentage of supporters were so low that the media didn't cover him and to stop crying. Now its onto the next candidate and what do you know, people are upset. Polls don't control media content, the media controls the polls results. At least now more people are angry about the corruption and speaking out, its too bad most of us Kucinich supporters don't want to fight for another candidate after the beating we took from people over this shit. It really puts a damper on things when the candidate you support is ignored and no one really cares.

[Fire Walk With Me]

48. MSM are owned by big money. They'll want only big-money friendly candidates to win.

:shrug:

[onehandle]

50. Kick! nt

[KT2000]

51. MSM wanted Clinton

starting years ago.
They seem to be doing everything they can to get her back in the game.
Such obvious bias should not go unchallenged though. For what it is worth I will send e-mails to the networks and my local papers.

[soulcore]

53. BINGO!

Clinton is the anointed one!

Long live the two-family dynasty!

[Zorra]

54. Yes. The corporate media is stifling his anti-fascist message.

I'm a Kucinich supporter, and I'm very experienced at this.

I like JE a whole lot. Sorry you have to experience this.

[eridani]

56. Hey, John! That's what you get for moving closer to Dennis

Edwards has gotten endorsements from more than a few 2004 Kucinich supporters, given his moves in a more aggressively progressive direction since 2004. Unfortunately, that isn't all that he's getting. What goes along with that territory is the blackout, and utterly contemptuous derision when not blacked out, that Kucinich has been putting up with all along. The MSM street cred that his fluffy "I'm good-looking, I'm southern, and I believe in One America" 2004 campaign gained him is running out. The more effectively he speaks up for average people, the more he is going to get dumped on and ignored by the media. Us Kucitizens have been there, done that, and we don't like it a bit better than you do. Welcome to the club.

[deacon]

58. MSM wants to choose the nominee. n/t

[B Calm]

59. It makes me sick to say this, but they're damn good at it too!