Alternate headlines, the CNN edition
November 20, 2009 2:04 pm ET by Eric Boehlert
Here's one from today:
CNN Poll: Blame for recession shifting from GOP to Democrats
Here's the nut graph [emphasis added]:
A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Friday morning indicates that 38 percent of the public blames Republicans for the country's current economic problems. That's down 15 points from May, when 53 percent blamed the GOP. According to the poll 27 percent now blame the Democrats for the recession, up 6 points from May. Twenty-seven percent now say both parties are responsible for the economic mess.
So, in the last six months, the percentage of Americans who blame Democrats for the recession has inched up six points, or one point per-month. That apparently, accounts for the "shifting" trend that CNN highlights in its headline. Also, note that a clear plurality still blame Republicans for the recession.
So wouldn't this headline have worked and actually been more accurate:
CNN Poll: Blame for recession still points to GOP
Just askin'.
I too agree that the six point increase over 6 months is relatively unremarkable.
But the reason that public opinion has changed isn't because more people's eyes have been opened to reality. It's because the Republicans propaganda has been more effective in falsely casting blame on Democrats. And that story never gets told by the MSM. Instead, they simply buy into this false portrait and publish stories like this with headlines like they did.
When there's a big hole in the economy, filling it back up again is the easiest thing in the world to do. It's practically automatic; even Reagan could do it.
As soon as we stop digging (which is taking a little longer than it should due to Obama's overcaution) it'll be full speed ahead. The democrats just need to hang on to power until the turnaround so that nobody mistakenly credits republicans.