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Campaign Crawlers
Media Games
Opportunistic coverage of the GOP race.
“Those whom the gods would destroy they first make famous,” goes a paraphrase of an ancient Greek saying. The media’s sudden enthusiasm for the presidential candidacy of Michele Bachmann contains a large element of that strategy. Journalists are building her up now so that they can gleefully tear her down later.
But this week, desperate to pump some excitement into a bland race and perhaps bait Sarah Palin into entering it, the media gods gushed over Bachmann’s “strong” and “savvy” performance at Monday’s debate. She has become overnight a “serious” candidate.
It won’t take long for this glow to dissipate. These commentators, when not under constraints to gin up a race, normally regard her views as dangerous and consider her to be as batty as Palin. Today’s “star is born” stories will give way to hysterical ones about Bachmann’s rejection of global warming as a hoax, her “uncompromising” pro-life views, etc.
Candidate Herman Cain enjoyed the media’s favor a short time ago. He was a breath of “fresh air” to journalists; now he is an unpleasant odor to them after saying that he wouldn’t feel comfortable with Muslims in his cabinet. Enthusiasm for Bachmann will probably follow a similar trajectory, though she is much more likely to remain relevant than Cain.
Journalists covering the race scorn candidates whom they consider shallow and ideologically extreme, yet at the same time itch for these candidates to run and cheer them on opportunistically if they do. The media’s dependence on Palin in particular is parasitic, as exposed once again by the all-hands-on-deck coverage of the release of her underwhelming e-mails. This was such a matter of grave import that the New York Times and others had to recruit the citizenry to join in the task. Largely coming up empty in their search for dirt, some journalists have turned to flattery (the e-mails show a governor who was “working hard,” etc.), perhaps in the hopes that that might encourage Palin to run.
But if journalists don’t end up having Palin as the candidate they can love to hate, Bachmann will do. She has certainly come along at the right time, as the other Minnesotan in the race, Tim Pawlenty, leaves journalists bored and short on material. Many think he blew it by not going for Romney’s jugular on “Obamneycare,” which would have given the media a story and fulfilled the expectations he raised by opening up that line of attack on a Sunday talk show.
But that still probably wouldn’t have given any energy to his campaign. Commentators talk endlessly about the need for a sober and serious candidate until one shows up and then they yawn. Pawlenty just doesn’t have the looks and personality of a president, so he is ruled out by the media from the start. Mitt Romney, on the other hand, if nothing else, has the perfect imagined outward appearance of a president, which makes him automatically formidable in America’s media-determined politics.
Monday’s debate wasn’t “substantive” enough for some in the media. It didn’t showcase any “big ideas,” in the estimate of MSNBC’s Dylan Ratigan, who sees himself as a pillar of independent thought and his show as ground zero for the redemption of American politics. The idea of a limited federal government (that most candidates expressed in the debate), the idea on which the Constitution rests, isn’t sufficiently big for such original thinkers.
Republicans usually get in trouble with the media for “big ideas,” as Congressman Paul Ryan has found out. The best press is reserved for those Republicans who reinforce the status quo. But actually the debate showed that Republicans are discussing ideas, at least far more sincerely than their counterparts in the Democratic Party, unless mulling over the fate of Congressman Weiner counts as one.
About the Author
George Neumayr, a contributing editor to The American Spectator, is co-author, with Phyllis Schlafly, of the new book, No Higher Power: Obama’s War on Religious Freedom.
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Michael L. Hauschild| 6.16.11 @ 6:36AM
Or. Those that the MSM want to run against their candidate are aided by the delusional establishment beltway and the “conservative” digitally enhanced dinosaurs trying to ignore the Tea Party.
Rob Tamlin| 6.16.11 @ 1:18PM
Exactly right. The lamestream media is trying to get Romney crowned as the nominee before the first primary even because they fear Palin so much.
The real kicker is that the Republican RINO elites are also trying to get Romney crowned as the nominee. They know Romney can't attack Obama about Rombamacare, or about anything else really. But the Republican RINO elites know that Palin would CLEAN HOUSE so they'd rather have four more years of Obama than see Palin take power. That's why the WSJ and others like them ... and some writers here at TAS ... are working so hard to promote the big lie that Romney's nomination is inevitable. Disgusting.
Clint| 6.16.11 @ 7:27AM
We Are In A Media War Against The Liberal Mainstream Media Agendists.
The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.
Carpe Diem.
Melvin| 6.16.11 @ 8:45AM
Screw the mainstream media. If you believe the swill that they spew than you are a bigger fool than the fools who run those news services.
These media cockroaches think that they have Sarah Palin marginalized and now they're going to try to do the same thing to Congresswoman Bachmann.
And by the way Herman Cain didn't say that he didn't want Muslims in his cabinet verbatim, he said, " He would require a loyalty oath from them."
These Republicans candidates need to seize the moment and go into open warfare mode with the media.
Screw the media's debate rules, these rules are designed to make the Republicans look like idiots anyway.
And if a Republican candidate doesn't have the cajones to act like a man or a strong woman, then the hell with them. They need to get kicked to the curb as when they grow a pair, then they can come back and run for President.
I don't want a President with a nice square jaw, perfectly coiffed hair, or speaks like a robot.
Like I have always posted. I want a Presidential Candidate to bite into Barrack Obama's scrawny backside and not let go.
Dan Hirsch| 6.16.11 @ 9:35AM
Did not a Senator McCarthy from Wisconsin insist that there were 200+ members of the Communist Party working in the US State Department? Did not history prove him to be both substantially correct and inebriated? Those of you not glued to MSM will know the answers to both questions is "Yes."
The enemy we are battling now, ladies and gentlemen, is Isalmic extremism. Which is exactly analogous to Communism of the last century. Individuals sympathetic to Communism usually presented themselves as socialists, to avoid being splattered by the blood thrown around by the hard cores, Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Mao, et al. Not all self-described socialists were actually communist wannabes. But the serious ones were; the rest were lovingly referred to as "useful idiots."
This arrangement is almost perfectly mirrored today, just make the following substitutions:
The role of 'Hardcore Communists' is now being played by 'Islamic extremists.'
The role of 'useful idiots' is now being played by 'moderate muslims.'
The role of victims has not changed - innocent, oblivious humans who are just trying to live their own lives as they see fit, mostly they just want to be left alone. But they will not be...
DH
PS The communist-socialist thing is quite alive and well, despite rumors of its recent demise. You will find them masquerading as 'extreme environmentalists,' 'global warming alarmists,' and most prolifically 'progressives.'
Questions?
JmsA| 6.16.11 @ 10:49AM
Extremely well put, Mr. Hirsch. Thank you.
Michael L. Hauschild| 6.16.11 @ 12:25PM
Don't need questions when you give answers like that. Thank you.
SpiralArchitect| 6.16.11 @ 3:44PM
The POTUS is a Marxist & supportive of fanatical Islam & their cause.
BackToBasics| 6.16.11 @ 11:42PM
I've heard it said regarding the twin threats of communism and Islamic Extremism, that they work together in the Westen nations to some degree under "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" alliance.
But in America, if the conseratives and free market people lose which one of these two wins? It may not be a question you would want to answer or even seem possible.
I ask it in part since Conservatism, Christianity, etc. is under attack from both fronts. And I also ask it in part because it is tough to pin down Obam in either of these 2 camps. I think he is a Marxist for sure but I think he also has Islamic leanings as well. It seems to me the Marxist part takes precedence. But I also at times think he perhaps does not know WHAT he is and that the only true rudder he has is as an anti-capitalist, anti-colonialist, anti-Christian and anti-white person. In other words, his policies are DRIVEN more by what he is AGAINST than what he is for.
Because it is difficult to really pin him down in either the Marxist ot Islamicist camp. He seems to have tendencies of both with Marxism the stronger of the 2 as I mentioned, but the 2 should be opposed to each other.
Perhaps you could do a column on this.
BackToBasics| 6.16.11 @ 11:43PM
Miskey - > Marxist or Islamicist camp
Soljer Blue| 6.18.11 @ 1:18PM
No further questions. The prosecution may rest.
arlo price| 6.16.11 @ 9:41AM
How many busloads of out of state dhim voters will it take for Romney to win the NH primary?
Looks like a Romney - Bachman ticket from my house.
Let's Roll
Rob Tamlin| 6.16.11 @ 1:24PM
Romney wouldn't pick Bachmann as a running mate in a million years! He's the ultimate RINO and the last thing he needs is a running mate who would make his conservative credentials even more obviously fake. Bachmann would have too much integrity to run with a fraud like Romney anyway.
If Romney gets the nomination he'll have a RINO running mate. And he'll lose to Obama because there's not a single issue that Romney can confront Obama about.
The lamestream media are pushing for a Romney nomination as hard as they can ... is that really a surprise?
arlo price| 6.16.11 @ 11:50PM
No doubt the rino elites and the White House steno pool want Romney, however I find it sorta' difficult to believe that the rino hierarchy really wants 4 more years of the obamagedon PIMP thugocracy; the reason being is that by 2016 there won't even be any pieces left worth picking up. With Bachman as the veep it pulls the party together for a sure win and she can more easily be controlled (quieted, marginalized etc.) by the elitist rinos.
As for me and mine, we're tired of this bloodless coup........LET'S ROLL!!!
Ohiolad| 6.16.11 @ 9:42AM
The only purpose of the MSM right now is to get Obama re-elected any way they can. It defies comprehension that Republican candidates in the run-up to the primary season would grant them any interviews or allow any member of the liberal MSM to moderate their debates. The New Hampshire “debate” was a pathetic travesty, filled with loaded questions always framed from a liberal perspective. Can the GOP and RNC really be that stupid? Any scheduled debates hosted by the MSM should be immediately cancelled. Trying to run a traditional campaign according the ground rules set by the MSM is doomed to failure. Fortunately there is an alternative media to get their message out where they no longer have to put up with the stupid tricks that the MSM is constantly trying to pull.
JRZN| 6.16.11 @ 10:22AM
The DEMidia's strat, is to "marginaliize any candidate that threatens their "pretender" president.
They should direct their barbs
to B O B since they describe his character and agenda to a T.
Dai Alanye | 6.16.11 @ 10:39AM
I'm glad to see someone getting it partly right about the media excitement over Bachmann. Right now she is their bulwark against Palin, whom they see as most dangerous to Obama's reelection.
Should Bachmann continue to surge, however, or should she be seen as imperiling Jon Huntsman, the media's favorite Republican at present, they'll turn against her in a heartbeat.
Should she actually be nominated, Palin Madness Syndrome, exaggerated as it has been, will be exceeded in their fury over Bachmann.
Havoc29| 6.16.11 @ 12:25PM
I think both Michele and Herman are smart enough to know that the media are setting them up. Sarah is miles ahead(literally) with the campaign/non-campaign tour by not playing the media's game. She has been tying them into knots frustrating them at every turn. I hope Michele and Herman take a page from Sarah's playbook.
I think once Republicans start ignoring the media or treating them as enemies, i.e. quit trying to get them to like them, then Republicans can run roughshod over those clowns. McCain was the classic ambush. He thought the media loved him by calling him a maverick and against the grain of traditional conservatives, but once he ran against their guy, he was toast.
Rob Tamlin| 6.16.11 @ 1:29PM
Thank you for saying that. McCain was an AWFUL candidate and I was too naive at the time to understand why so many Republicans were supporting him and why the lamestream media was actually helping a Republican. Now I know better.
The lamestream media is at it again trying to help Romney get the nomination. And just like last time the Republican RINO elites are working hand in hand with the lamestream media. United by a mutual fear of Palin this time.
Flee| 6.16.11 @ 3:39PM
Typical was a Yahoo headline about Bachmann's extremist behavior and associations in her past. Hmm, it wasn't a problem a couple of years ago with a little known senator from IL. Could her associations be any more extreme than domestic terrorists and Islamic apologists? I think not. Her views are clearly not what MSM members believe and that will be the problem she must overcome. An attractive and articulate conservative woman scares the hell out of liberals.
SpiralArchitect| 6.16.11 @ 3:47PM
Today truth is more a result of the written word than any action.
JimmyT| 6.16.11 @ 5:00PM
How the hell would a liberal know what a big idea is? If they ever had an idea, it would die of loneliness.
Gary| 6.16.11 @ 11:08PM
The Republican candidate always has two opponents: the Democrat and the press.
This time around an actual conservative shouldn't have much trouble campaigning against the Democrat; he's an obvious anti-American, pro-Muslim who has run a scorched earth domestic policy since day one.
The trick is to simultaneously run a successful campaign again the enemedia. With good advice and good research, this shouldn't be too difficult either. Playing offense against these arrogant dopes would keep them off balance.
Reagan was the only Republican to even come close to pulling this off. He was too polite for my taste. We need someone who fight fire with fire. Palen is pretty good at it.
So, my ideal candidate is one of excellent character and takes the fight straight to the press.
Who will that be?
Pelligrino| 6.17.11 @ 1:28AM
Gary, I agree. But please factor in another big, perpetual opponent: The academic inteligentsia.
Now that many college and university kids are back around during their summer, there is more interaction with them. So we talk. And it is astounding to hear the garbage force-fed them.
Interestingly enough, two fellows (one a sophomore, other a junior) just don't buy into any of it. They don't. The younger one is a Cuban-American raised in Miami. The older a Vietnamese fellow raised here in the USA with his family since he was 11 years old.
They're wet behind the ears and unsure of many things, but they just don't believe the PC garbage their professors are proclaiming.
These recent conversations were music to my ears. But I still shudder at the thoughts of the many who succumb (whether short term or long term) to the avalanche of academia lies.
Gary| 6.17.11 @ 6:13AM
You are, of course, right about this. Most colleges are hopeless but graduates today can certainly look around and see what damage The Muslim has done to our economy and to their chances of a decent career path.
I believe liberalism is a luxury. It's natural to care about everything and everyone and throw money all over the place, like we've done for decades. But, as Margaret Thatcher said, we've finally run out of everyone else's money. There is no more money.
If there was ever a time when "it's the economy, stupid," now is it. There is only one solution that works - the free market - and the Democrats, the press, and, as you say, academia are all doing their best to keep a lid on it.
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It won't take long for this glow to dissipate. These commentators, when not under constraints to gin up a race, normally regard her views as dangerous and consider her to be as batty as Palin. Today's "star is born" stories will give way to hysterical ones about Bachmann's rejection of global warming as a hoax, her "uncompromising" pro-life views, etc.
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