Pittsburgh Tribune-Review blog suggested “giant lead” in poll for Obama foreshadows his defeat

Written by Brian Levy

Published

Political reporter and editorial page columnist Salena Zito suggested in a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review blog post that Sen. Barack Obama's 15-point lead over Sen. John McCain in a Newsweek poll foreshadows defeat for Obama by comparing him to 1988 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis.

In a June 20 blog post on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Forty-Fourth Estate blog, titled “Shades of Dukakis, Obama up 15,” political reporter and editorial page columnist Salena Zito suggested that Sen. Barack Obama's “giant lead” over Sen. John McCain in a June 18-19 Newsweek poll foreshadows defeat for Obama by comparing him to unsuccessful 1988 Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, who, according to Zito, “enjoyed a 54 to 38 percent lead over” Republican George H.W. Bush “after all of the Democratic primaries ended.” Zito wrote: “This evening a new Newsweek poll shows Obama having a giant lead, from 51 percent to 36 percent, over McCain among registered voters across the country." She added: “Obama got his bounce, Dukakis style.”

Media Matters for America has noted a pattern of media portrayals of any news, even seemingly negative, as good news for the Republicans.

Zito's June 20 blog post in its entirety:

Shades of Dukakis, Obama up 15

In May of 1988 after all of the Democratic primaries ended presumptive nominee Michael Dukakis enjoyed a 54 to 38 percent lead over then Ronald Reagan wing man George H.W. Bush.

H.W. went on to win in that November handily

This evening a new Newsweek poll shows Obama having a giant lead, from 51 percent to 36 percent, over McCain among registered voters across the country.

Obama got his bounce, Dukakis style.