Why does the media hate the Clintons?

[DiamondJay]

you know it has always struck me, the media for some reason can give republicans a free pass on everything from trading arms for hostages, giving the mega rich tax cuts, torture, Bush's failure to stop 9/11, and the list goes on. But for some reason, they have hated the Clintons from day one, on one thing, they always say they are "calculating". Well, WHAT POLITICIAN ISN'T CALCULATING? WHY DOESN'T WANNA BE REELECTED. But Reagan gets a free pass from going to Philadelphia MI, and saying "I believe in state's rights" to get white support. Or helping only the mega rich to get GOP donors to be on the map. They don't say he appeared with soviet leaders to look like he was doing more than napping. They act like the Clintons are only acting in self interest, but republicans and most other Democrats are acting in bona fide manner. Even when Clinton signed family leave, raised taxes on the rich altho it was highly unpopular. As if Obama's stance on gay marriage isn't calculated to make moderates like him, or to go along with what many in his race believe. They act like "travelgate, whitewater," etc were ethical problems. But it is the WH's choice to chose who works for them. Reagan doesn't get much heat for North sellling to our enemies and importing cocaine. They act like McCain, Romney, Huckabee believe in something higher than themselves, but the Clintons don't. Why are the Clintons any different than the others in their fields, which is POLITICS. McCain doesn't take stances becuase they are expedient? Oh please, thats his whole career, o but he is a war "hero". Or Huckabee is "faithful".

Could it have been a generational thing, that the Clintons when they appeared were 1960's children in 1992 against a WWII and Korean War media and Washington establishment in both parties? Was it that the old farts in the establishment resented the fact he didn't fight in a war? Could it be they didn't like that he woudln't admit to the false accusations from Flowers, and they he somehow was "denying" the media a good story? That he did "morally objectionable" things like listening to rock music and smoking weed once, and they didn't? Was he "less open" than Reagan and Bush, he seemed like he would care about what he does as opposed to Reagan? That he was a policy wonk, reagan was a joke wonk?

Why are the Clintons demonized by the entire media, even tho both other Democrats AND Republicans have done worse things? Why is Clinton treated as a "politician" while Bush is treated like he genuinely thinks he is right? Or Obama walks on water, and it doesn't matter that Hillary has been in politics since he was in middle school?

[ixion]

1. It's because they don't stand for anything... they're career pols

and nothing more. Republicans suck, and their values are twisted and hypocritical, but at least they take a stand. I despise them, but have respect for them as an adversary because they take a stand, albeit a moronic one.

The Clintons, though, have excelled only at pandering. They are carpet baggers of the highest degree, and have successfully encouraged the entire Democratic party to follow suit --- triangulating towards the so-called center; the center that is moving ever rightward.

Nobody likes a fence sitter.

[lvx35]

3. I have NO respect for the Republicans

Their policies have produced nothing but failures across the board. The policies of the Clinton's created many successes. History is filled with stories of tools who picked up the red flag or blue flag and went to kill their opponents, never understanding that their real opponents were the ones handing out the flags...

[ixion]

4. you mininterpret my use of the word 'respect'

Republicans are idiots. Their policies have been devastating. Their policies are ruining this country. Respect is not synonymous with admiration. I have no admiration for them whatsoever. I do however, respect them, much like I respect a wild jackal. If you take them for granted, they will most certainly kill you.

And it's because I believe this that it amazes and sickens me when Dems capitulate to them.

[lvx35]

5. Yeah, I'm against the capitulation...

But a little more pandering to the American people, a little more 'flip flopping' based on polls might not be too bad at this point I'm thinking, now that I've seen a president who ignores the will of the American people entirely.

[ixion]

6. I'm okay with serving the will of the people

I think we'd have a much different country if more politicians would actually serve the will of the people, as opposed to the will of Big Business.

[Perry Logan]

7. If this were true, it seems like progressive groups wouldn't support her as they do.

The following are polls from progressive groups, rating Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, on how often they vote for progressive issues. For each group, http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011142.php

Clinton Vs. Barack Obama (progressivepunch)
Overall Progressive Score: 92% 90%
Aid to Less Advantaged People at Home and Abroad: 98% 97%
Corporate Subsidies 100% N/A
Education, Humanities and the Arts 88% 100%
Environment 92% 100%
Fair Taxation 97% 100%
Family Planning 88% 80%
Government Checks on Corporate Power 95% 97%
Healthcare 98% 94%
Housing 100% 100%
Human Rights & Civil Liberties 82% 77%
Justice for All: Civil and Criminal 94% 91%
Labor Rights 91% 91%
Making Government Work for Everyone, Not Just the Rich or Powerful 94% 90%
War and Peace 80% 86%

[ixion]

9. Hillary voted for

-- The IWR

-- The Kyl/Lieberman travesty

-- she introduced a flag-burning piece of legistlation

and here's more:
10/11/2002 Use of Military Force Against Iraq Y

03/29/2007 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill of 2007 Y
07/12/2006 Transit Security Amendment Y
06/22/2006 Defense Department FY 2007 Authorization bill Y
06/15/2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Y
05/04/2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2006 Y

03/19/2003 ANWR Oil Drilling Amendment Y
03/10/2005 Bankruptcy Reform Bill NV

07/26/2007 REAL ID Funding Y

06/06/2007 English as the Common Language Y

01/22/2008 Defense Authorizations Bill NV
12/18/2007 Iraq Withdrawal Amendment NV
12/18/2007 Inclusion of Iraq Operations Funding with the Consolidated Appropriations NV
11/16/2007 Supplemental Appropriations for the Department of Defense and Timeline for Withdrawal from Iraq Y

03/15/2007 United States Policy in Iraq Resolution of 2007 Y
09/28/2006 Habeas Review Amendment Y
09/28/2006 Military Commissions Amendment Y

03/02/2006 USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization Y
12/16/2005 USA PATRIOT and Terrorism Prevention Reauthorization N

04/21/2005 John Negroponte, Director of National Intelligence Y
02/15/2005 Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security Y
01/26/2005 Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State Y
01/22/2003 Thomas Ridge, Secretary of Homeland Security Y
11/19/2002 Homeland Security Act of 2002 Y

http://votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=55463



How progressives see these votes as being positive for progressive issues is beyond me. Sure, there are many 'N' votes listed here, but it seems to me her goal is to balance out the votes rather than fully support the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

[billbuckhead]

10. John McCain, Mitt Romney, Guiliani change most positions like socks

Don't give Republicans some ethical purity they don't deserve. More Republican worship from the :+bama camp.

[ixion]

14. certainly, they have NO ethical purity... they have no ethics to begin with...

They're pretty consistent when it comes to bombing or invading countries in the third world, or being racist bastards, or marching lock-step towards a corporate theocracy (granted of varying flavors), from what I've seen of them.

[billbuckhead]

15. You do know that NPR, CIA Imperialist Radio, pushes Obama like crazy?

Think how Obama could help us get all that African oil?

[lvx35]

2. Its the kid on the playground who gets beat at home.

So he picks on the kid who looks happiest on the playground. The Clintons have a way about them, Bill especially, of simplifying things so people can grasp them and staying positive. Its good, but it also makes them look unaffected. They don't look afraid, and it breeds a certain resent with the media people, who have been pissing themselves for the last 8 years.

[Perry Logan]

8. The American media has been nothing but right-wing propaganda since the 1990's.

[Echo In Light]

12. And part of the ruse includes smearing the Left, real or illusory, in the public mind

[Vinca]

11. The media loves Enquirer-like stories. Britney, O.J., Lindsay.

The Clintons seldom disappoint.

[L. Coyote]

13. Because someone greased the skids with lots of $$$$$$$$ = Arkansas Project

Bush vs. Gore, the 'Arkansas Project,' the USA firings, and the Swiftboat Admiral
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1029113

Tip of the political propaganda iceberg!

[Orsino]

16. Because so many Americans love the Clintons.

Big Money/Media will always work against Democrats when possible, but Democratic leaders who inspire such devotion as Bill and Hillary will face deadly enmity.

It's not gonna be enough, thank goodness, to swing the White House to the GOP this time.

[paulk]

17. the media is Republican, they've trashed every Dem who's

run for president.

They especially hate the Clinton's because the Clinton's have beaten them.

Twice.

[Iggo]

18. The media hates the Clintons?

Which media is that? They're practically anointing one of them as the nominee as we speak. Man, I wish they hated me that much.