Now that Democrats have (at least for the moment) settled on a presumptive presidential nominee, the battle of commentary and sound bites, and occasionally ideas, is under way between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama. The media, unfortunately, are not helping us understand this conflict.
At one point, Sen. McCain was the preferred Republican candidate of both The New York Times and Chris Matthews of MSNBC. Don’t expect those folks to support McCain in preference to Obama. Aside from talk radio, which is dominated by conservative viewpoints, the balance of the media, especially network and cable TV, leans decidedly liberal and for Democrats.
Fox News is one exception. Fox generally strives to be middle-of-the-road and even their opinion shows offer liberal and conservative commentators. Often Democrats describe Fox as Republican-leaning, but it only seems that way in comparison to other broadcasters.
Diligent voters who desire to make a reasoned, informed decision about the individuals 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 that reflects the world-view of certain media outlets and reporters. The following summary might help simplify the task of interpreting what one might hear in a broadcast or read in print.
– Communicating one’s beliefs: Republicans are “pandering to their base”; Democrats are “articulating their vision.”
– Sticking to one’s beliefs: Republicans are “inflexible”; Democrats are “principled.”
– Changing one’s 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 it mentioned.)
– 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), they also employ pejorative language in regard to particular individuals, groups and viewpoints with which they 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 helping hold government accountable and educating voters on the issues. Consequently, bias within the media and its 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 some of our typical sources of information presented a more balanced viewpoint and better respected the integrity of those who have different opinions.
Ray Chadwick is the Chairman of the Bedford Republican Committee.