How not to report on health care protesters
August 04, 2009 5:07 pm ET by Jamison Foser
Here's an example of the media giving disproportionate weight to a small number of angry voices. Americablog's Joe Sudbay catches CNN's Candy Crowley hyping the anti-health care protesters:
CROWLEY: Republicans are also encountering angry voters but Democrats seem to be getting the worst of it and they accuse Republican operatives of sending protesters to their Town Hall meetings, but even if there is any truth to that charge the reality is that poll after poll shows that Americans are divided about Obama-style health care reform.
Well, first, of course there is "truth to that charge." Right-wing groups are sending around memos telling people how to "artificially inflate" their numbers and "be disruptive early and often." That memo was revealed four days ago. Has Crowley been paying any attention at all?
And second: No, Americans are not "divided" in any meaningful way on "Obama style health care reform." By large margins, Americans want significant health care reform. By large margins, they favor Barack Obama's approach over the GOP's approach. They favor a public option.
Yes, it's true, polling also shows things like public concern that they wouldn't be able to choose their own doctor under proposed reforms. But that concern is not based on reality -- it is based on an aggressive disinformation campaign waged by enemies of reform. If Candy Crowley spent her time producing news reports that correct that disinformation rather than hyping the results of it, things would be going a lot more smoothly -- and more importantly (from her perspective) she'd also be performing actual journalism.
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This is the theme that the MSM has chosen and they will stick with it.
Shame on the Dems for not passing this before August.
The Dems will now reap what they sow during their recess ...
Of course. There is a majority, who are in favor of it, and a small minority who oppose it. By the way, Candy, you should really capitalize Obama, since it's a proper name you know.
Give her credit for coming near to a story, almost tripping over it, and still missing it somehow. Willful ignorance or paid shill? The world may never know. Just one more person in the media distorting what's actually going on.
Dichotomy; When The People really need a sturdy pair of boots, they are 'given a choice' between house slippers or a pair of flip-flops,,,
And this is called Freedom, this is called Representation.
Central government gesellschaft pseudo-democracy quasi-socialist gibberish.
Two symbiotic Parties representing two sad inferior options, both pointing in the same general direction, zero sum gain either way.
Would you like to be spanked on your Left cheek, or your Right cheek?
Hmmm, decisions, decisions...