Don't give in to media-inspired fatalism

[babylonsister]

http://www.salon.com/news/media_criticism/index.html?story=/opinion/feature/2010/02/10/democratic_majority

Don't give in to media-inspired fatalism
It's no time to retreat, President Obama. The Democrats are still the majority party
By Gene Lyons
AP/Salon

snip//

Palin's is an inchoate, purely tribal appeal, akin to her description of persons like herself as "real Americans." Making the rest of us exactly what?

That said, she's a TV personality, nothing more. It's a mistake to give in to media-inspired fatalism. Obama can only pray that a divisive lightweight like Palin is his 2012 GOP opponent. Meanwhile, as he's taken to reminding Democrats in Congress, their 59-41 Senate majority remains the largest either party has enjoyed in a generation. Democrats must advance, not retreat.

The TV networks want conflict? The Obama administration needs to give them conflict. How long did Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby persist in putting a "blanket hold" on administration nominees after his attempt to blackmail the administration into awarding a defense contract to (Alabama-based) Northrup over Boeing once the White House made it front-page news? Two days.

How long did it take House Republican leaders to start crawfishing away from Obama's proposed nationally televised healthcare summit? Also two days. See, the last thing GOP leadership wants the public to understand are the bill's conservative elements: its reliance on private, not government insurance; that it will cut the deficit and slow spending growth; that it gives consumers more choice, more security and more freedom.

So let Republicans sulk. Hold the summit without them. Then pass the bill without them, too. The president must lead his skittish party. The GOP can make Obama look weak only if he helps them.

[GoCubsGo]

1. Excellent advice for all.

I think folks here would do well to stop listening to the media's crap, too. It does nothing but discourage and dishearten everyone--which is EXACTLY what they are trying to do.

Although, I have to admit, I am glad I did not miss Tweety asking "Is SHE a balloon head?" when talking about that "TV personality." LOL!

[iceman66]

2. K+R

[lunatica]

3. We should all take two days before we believe what the media 'reports'

I've seen it happen again and again that people jump on top of any story that furthers their own propensity to find fault or perfection. A little reflective objectivity goes a long way.

[tanyev]

4. K&R

[Peacetrain]

5. YEP K&R ...good advice