MyDD :: The punditry disconnect continues on primary night (AP)

The punditry disconnect continues on primary night (AP)

by Jeter, Wed May 21, 2008 at 04:59:21 AM EST

I thought some of you might appreciate the scorching irony of AP trashing the MSM and Cable News Pundits. Let them fight until they all just go away forever.

The punditry disconnect continues on primary night By DAVID BAUDER (AP Television Writer) From Associated Press May 21, 2008 1:07 AM EDT NEW YORK - Television's news networks brought all of their punditry and electronic firepower to the Democratic presidential primary coverage on Tuesday, but left viewers yearning for the simplest of things. Say, a reporter with a microphone who could walk into a bar in rural Kentucky and ask some voters what was on their minds. The night of political water-treading - commentators who had already declared the Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton race over were declaring it again after the Kentucky and Oregon primaries - did little to repair the campaign's punditry disconnect. "It's another one of those split-screen nights," MSNBC's Chris Matthews said shortly before the networks called Oregon for Obama. Clinton's victory in Kentucky was massive, a "severe drubbing" in Fox News Channel anchor Brit Hume's estimation, and exit polls showed the clear problem Obama had in attracting the votes of working class, white Democrats"

Jeffrey Toobin's quote at the end is the definition of eating crow but still getting big bucks for months of mindless, self-possessed preening. In terms of the media, this has and will continue to be the biggest and nastiest insult on the American electorate in the history of reporting.

Tags: Media Fight, Pundits gone wild, fight to the death (all tags)

Permalink :: 16 Comments :: Post a Comment

can i get a what-what?!?! (2.00 / 5)

Jeffrey Toobin, said he found it interesting that Clinton's poll numbers hadn't diminished despite so much media talk that the race had been decided.

interesting indeed.

the fourth estate has failed. rec'd.

"Me Fail English? That's Unpossible." Ralph Wiggum

by canadian gal on Wed May 21, 2008 at 05:08:51 AM EST

Re: can i get a what-what?!?! (none / 0)

Here's my interpretation--the people, even Clinton voters, stated Obama will be the nominee, so they voted for Clinton and why not? I think this whole thing is silly right now, ok, they like Clinton and know and accept Obama will be the nominee, so are the people expected to have to act the way the pundits think they should act?

This whole thing is just so silly--oh, my voters like one candidate and yet know that candidate won't win--AND even knowing that they are voting for the one they know will NOT be the nominee and are voting for the one they want--then it's OBAMA's 'problem"??

Give me a break--just another way to 'blame' everything on "Obama"--give it a rest.

by Wary on Wed May 21, 2008 at 06:53:21 AM EST
[ Parent ]

That was only in the exit poll of MSNBC(O) (none / 0)

One problem. That network lacks credibility.

You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat

by indydem99 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 07:26:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: can i get a what-what?!?! (none / 0)

Why would they have a reporter in KY? They really do not want to hear what people of kentucky have to say! The MSM never mentioned that KY is a bordering state to Illinois. Only mentioned in passing that Bill won Ky and WV twice in '92 and '96.

You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat

by indydem99 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 07:21:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Big Deal (none / 0)

Obama didn't do well in Southern Illinois, Connecticut and Vermont border New York...and parts of New York where Hillary did very well...what's her problem?

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 07:47:27 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Big Deal (2.00 / 1)

I agree they both have a problem. Unlike CT and VT both WV and Ky are swing states that Bill Clinton won in two GEs. You have to admit that it was mistake on Obama's part not to have campaigned in WV and KY. According to Sen Obama's own doctrine you have to talk to every one... not just your friends.....

You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat

by indydem99 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 08:01:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Yes, he should've campaigned there (2.00 / 1)

but West Virginia and Kentucky ARE NOT swing states. Hell, polls show Texas closer than West Virginia and Kentucky. Bill won Louisiana twice too, is that a swing state? Kerry did better there than in Kentucky and West Virginia.

and Hillary got less votes in Oregon than John McCain...Oregon, a state that's been Democratic since 1988, a state Gore won by 7,000 votes, what's her problem?

The American people; they were for the war before they were against it.

by nrafter530 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 08:06:02 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Yes, he should've campaigned there (none / 0)

I am not trying to make an argument against Sen. Obama. Why do you want to make the argument so partisan? I am only suggesting it is a bad practice for any Democrat to write off states.

You may not agree with What I say but don't forget I am a Democrat

by indydem99 on Wed May 21, 2008 at 09:15:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

You are right (2.00 / 1)

The MSM failed to recognize that Hillary's arguments that Obama cannot win over white voters were utterly disproven (again) in Oregon. It's shameful.

by Fairy Tale on Wed May 21, 2008 at 06:33:01 AM EST

Re: You are right (none / 0)

Fair enough, he does seem to have a few pockets throughout the country where he does win even some of the white vote--but they also failed to point out that she defeated him among KY's 64% college-educated voters, by a 24% margin (that's across all levels of college-education, with the spread varying from 16% to 35% spreads within the various categories of that broader category); and that she won across ALL income categories by 30%+ spreads, including those over $50K and $100K; or that she won by 24% even among the 37% population that considers themselves Liberal...she pretty much thumped him in EVERY demographic once again, except for the sole category of the African American vote.

HRC: "...not a vote to rush to war--it...puts awesome responsibility in the hands of our President, we say to him 'Use these powers wisely and as a last resort.'"

by ChargedFan on Wed May 21, 2008 at 09:41:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of the phrase MSM (none / 0)

The left adopted it from the right. It paints with a very broad brush. And I'm old fashioned enough to not view the cable news shows as necessarily fitting that mold.

And why, goodness knows, would you want them to go away? What do you want this supposed MSM replaced with? There are plenty of alternatives on the left and the right if you prefer them.

Seems like a pretty unfocused diary to me.

by drmark on Wed May 21, 2008 at 06:56:28 AM EST

The punditry helping Obama on purpose (2.00 / 2)

Media has assignment from own corporate pro-GOP bosses: to help Obama so McCain can win in November.
MyDD's own "Poll Watcher", as of today, said that Hillary will crash McCain in November 310-228, while while Obama will fail 243-285.
Pundits even did not mention yesterday's poll in NC, which is showing that Obama's win in NC primary means nothing in General Election, while Hillary will win NC (!) by 6 points in November.
Pundits doing their job, but supers meanwhile committing a crime against voters and Democratic party by endorsing loser and leading democrats to landslide defeat in November.

Welcome to a Landslide without white Working class, Latinos, Women, Seniors and holding-on sweeties

by engels on Wed May 21, 2008 at 06:58:12 AM EST

Re: The punditry helping Obama on purpose (2.00 / 1)

link to poll is here:
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollRepo rt.aspx?g=89a1b144-de19-4715-bb6f-97b2e8 17a23b

Welcome to a Landslide without white Working class, Latinos, Women, Seniors and holding-on sweeties

by engels on Wed May 21, 2008 at 06:58:53 AM EST
[ Parent ]

I'd like to know.... (none / 0)

How many "pundits" mentioned the extraordinary results from North Carolina (which was supposedly one of BO's best states for a takeover? I didn't hear any, did you?

by handsomegent on Wed May 21, 2008 at 07:25:52 AM EST

Re: I'd like to know.... (none / 0)

If it showed the opposite result you know you would have heard all about it on MSM.

by Jaz on Wed May 21, 2008 at 08:47:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

One poll isn't a result (none / 0)

especially when it's 5 months out from an outfit that screwed the pooch in that state a mere 2 weeks ago.

by JJE on Wed May 21, 2008 at 08:49:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

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