Now that Democrats have (at least for the moment) settled on a presumptive nominee, the battle of commentary and sound bites, and occasionally ideas, is underway between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.
We’ve noted previously that Senator McCain was the preferred Republican candidate of both the New York Times and Chris (“Let’s Play Hard Ball!”) Matthews of MSNBC. Don’t expect those folks to support McCain in preference to Obama. Just the opposite.
Aside from talk radio, which is dominated by conservative viewpoints, the balance of the media leans decidedly liberal and for Democrats.
Fox News (“Fair and Balanced” and “We Report, You Decide”) is one exception. Fox generally strives to be middle-of-the-road and even their opinion shows offer equal numbers of liberal and conservative commentators. Often Democrats describe Fox as Republican leaning, but it only seems that way in comparison to other broadcasters. The Wall Street Journal occupies a similar position in the print media.
Diligent voters who desire to make a reasoned, informed decision about the persons we will empower to govern us have to work hard to glean the truth from what they hear and see in the news.
Often, that search for truth is impeded by language and “talking points” that reflect the world-view of the media outlets and reporters. The following summary might help simplify the task of interpreting what one hears in a broadcast or reads in print.
Following is a series of particular situations or issues along with terms that the media might use to describe them, depending upon the political affiliation of the persons being reported upon. Feel free to substitute the terms Conservative and Liberal for the political parties; the comment will still apply.
Communicating Ones Beliefs
Republicans are “pandering to their base” Democrats are “articulating their vision”
Sticking to Ones Beliefs
Republicans are “inflexible” Democrats are “principled”
Changing Ones Mind
Republicans “flip-flop” Democrats “evolve” and “adopt a more nuanced position”
Identifying Weaknesses of the Other Party
Republicans are “fear mongering” Democrats are “advising voters of issues”
Cutting Government Spending
Conservatives are “heartless” Liberals “fight for the little guy” (It’s nostalgic to remember such commentary (last heard in the mid 1990s) regarding cutting spending. At least at the national level, it happens so infrequently that it’s rare to even see comments on it.)
Selecting Supreme Court Justices
Republicans want to “turn back the clock” and “reverse the progress made by women and minorities” Democrats want Justices “in tune with society” who will “protect a woman’s rights”
Use of Military Force
Republicans “rush to war” Democrats believe “force is a last resort”
Expecting Voters to be Residents or Citizens or to Provide Identification Republicans want to “disenfranchise voters” Democrats want “every vote to count”
Taxes
Republicans want to “pass the problem to our children” by giving “tax breaks to the wealthy’ Democrats want to “shift the burden to the rich”
Any Economic, Employment, Financial, Weather, or Other Problem
Republicans are “indifferent” and “uncaring” Democrats “feel your pain” and are “committed to help”
Scandals
Republicans “must resign (for the good of their Party)” Democrats “engage in private behavior” that “doesn’t affect job performance”
Environment
Republicans “only care about business” Democrats “aspire” to a “green economy”
In addition to the differing comparisons and comments that the media will use when describing Republicans and Democrats (or conservatives and liberals, for that matter), they also employ pejorative language in regard to particular individuals, groups and viewpoints with which they agree or disagree.
For example, the typical media narrative regarding Global Warming is that a “broad scientific consensus” has concluded that “the debate is over”, and any “naysayer” who disagrees “represents special interests” who are committed to “protecting profits” by “jeopardizing the future”. Al Gore couldn’t have said it better.
The country was founded on the assumption of limited government, with the press (the media of that day) helping hold government accountable and educating voters on the issues.
Consequently, bias within the media, and it’s alignment with values primarily expressed by liberalism, and the Democrat Party, is a real problem, and not just for Republicans and conservatives.
Americans need to face serious issues including:
Our dependence on foreign energy sources Terrorism and how to deal with it while protecting our freedoms Controlling our borders and illegal immigration Maintaining a common, unifying, culture Controlling the growth of government and its financial demands Maintaining the competitiveness of our businesses and our students Raising citizens who are proud of our country and willing to defend (and, yes, improve) it.
We need to make informed choices and work together on these issues.
That would be easier to do if our typical sources of information presented a balanced viewpoint and respected the integrity of those having different opinions.
Ray Chadwick is the Chairman of the Bedford Republican Committee.
