IS Media afraid of Obama?

[Big Daddy]

I know a lot of people in this board like Obama and may not like my criticism, but I think media is showering Obama with too much praise and is afraid of criticizing him because they are afraid of getting label as "racist."

The guy ran on the basis of lowering taxes, withdrawing troops from Iraq, and getting health care for everyone. It seems now he is hinting that none of these things will get done because of bad economy, which will be number one issue in his first term (as if he did not economy was bad). Now, if it was President Bush then media would be criticizing him like hell.

Even during the election campaign, most night time comedians did not use him for their jokes. As a result, Sarah Palin took a lot of heat when she wasn't even running for presidency.

While I think Obama is a smart guy and a great orator, his political accomplishments are modest at best. I hope that when he is actually sworn in, media should shed all the fears and cover him as they would with any other president.

 

[rollingstone]

This video, created during the campaign, made fun of everyone, Obama included

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7510898.stm

Lets face it, the Republicans fucked up this country over the last 8 years. Its only natural that people look to the new guy for things to improve. I am pretty sure that when he does screw something up he will get an earful.

 

[Techman]

I don't think the media had or has any fear of Obama. I think they were just fed up with Bush and his party and did not want to see another 4 to 8 years of the same old thing. Not to mention that Palin with her quaint ways and pregnant 17 yr old daughter made for a real easy target.

Sarah Palin took a lot of heat and that was justified. She was picked for McCain's running mate when the guy didn't know a damn thing about her. She was severly under qualified for the position and it was just another indication of McCain's own desperation. Considering McCain's risky health record, there was a strong possibility that Palin might actually end up running the country in the end. Whatever heat she took was well deserved. And now the Republican party is trying to distance itself from her, hoping that she will fade away by the time the next election rolls around.

I have no doubts that once Obama takes office, he will be subject to the same media scrutiny that anyone else would have been. If not more.

Techman

 

[centaurus]

No one in the media (news or entertainment) would dare attack Obama for the next 4 years- afraid of being labeled racist.

Take an example of the late night comedians: 3 days after the election is over, they are still ridiculing McCain and Palin. The only future comic relief would be at the expense of Joe Biden .

Today, president- elect Obama put his big foot in his mouth uttering an idiotic statement " I already spoke with all the presidents.... that are alive”. Then he threw former first lady Nancy Reagan, a widower, under the bus to cover his ass.

So basically, Obama would have a free pass for the next 4 years. If yyou attack him (right or wrong), then you are a RACIST.

 

[mass1965]

Palin is such an easy target.... Has the intellectual curiousity of a stone.

 

[Big Daddy]

Sarah Palin took a lot of heat and that was justified. She was picked for McCain's running mate when the guy didn't know a damn thing about her. She was severly under qualified for the position and it was just another indication of McCain's own desperation. Considering McCain's risky health record, there was a strong possibility that Palin might actually end up running the country in the end. Whatever heat she took was well deserved. And now the Republican party is trying to distance itself from her, hoping that she will fade away by the time the next election rolls around.


Techman

I agree with you that Sarah Palin was not very qualified. However, I feel that it was slightly unfair for media to make too much fun of her. Selecting Sarah Palin was McCain's mistake. She just wanted to support the Republican party and honestly she never claimed that she is expert in foreign policy or even has any general knowledge of geography. Yet, media went after her as if she was running for presidency.

I think, being nice and naive, she paid a very heavy price. Not that she had a lot of experience or knowledge, but she seemed like a honest person with slight personal issues with managing money and family. In the end, voters took the right decision by not selecting McCain and Palin, but as a humble person and honest human being, Sarah Palin was not treated very well by either media or McCain campaign.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

The guy ran on the basis of lowering taxes, withdrawing troops from Iraq, and getting health care for everyone. It seems now he is hinting that none of these things will get done because of bad economy, which will be number one issue in his first term (as if he did not economy was bad).

Perhaps you didn't see his news conference this afternoon? Not a great idea to post if you don't know what you're talking about.

 

[mass1965]

I agree with you that Sarah Palin was not very qualified. However, I feel that it was slightly unfair for media to make too much fun of her. Selecting Sarah Palin was McCain's mistake. She just wanted to support the Republican party and honestly she never claimed that she is expert in foreign policy or even has any general knowledge of geography. Yet, media went after her as if she was running for presidency.

I think, being nice and naive, she paid a very heavy price. Not that she had a lot of experience or knowledge, but she seemed like a honest person with slight personal issues with managing money and family. In the end, voters took the right decision by not selecting McCain and Palin, but as a humble person and honest human being, Sarah Palin was not treated very well by either media or McCain campaign.

If Palin had any sense she would have turned the offer down. But she doesn't and thought this was her big chance. Palin deserved every bit of what she got and more. She never stopped with the person attacks on Obama weather reasonable/fair or not. So I have no sympathy.

As for Bush, his term is the worst in US history. So people are looking at Obama as a breath of fresh air.

 

[mass1965]

You know I am getting tired of the whining BS I hear. What Obama is planning to do is to help the common everyday working person. What the republican party has been about is helping the elite / fat cats at the expense of the common man. But I guess the ignorant rednecks like Palin suck up the BS the republican party spews out and fights against what is best for them.

 

[Big Daddy]

No one in the media (news or entertainment) would dare attack Obama for the next 4 years- afraid of being labeled racist.

Take an example of the late night comedians: 3 days after the election is over, they are still ridiculing McCain and Palin. The only future comic relief would be at the expense of Joe Biden .

Today, president- elect Obama put his big foot in his mouth uttering an idiotic statement " I already spoke with all the presidents.... that are alive”. Then he threw former first lady Nancy Reagan, a widower, under the bus to cover his ass.

So basically, Obama would have a free pass for the next 4 years. If yyou attack him (right or wrong), then you are a RACIST.

I think media never faced a similar situation before. I hope that they will adjust in time and start analyzing Obama's actions as they analyzed Sarah Palin. Currently, all I see is only praise for Obama and his family. It has started to look hypocritical now. What are they really praising? He is a first term senator, who started to campaign in less that 2 years since he began his term. He wasn't a successful lawyer or ran a company etc. Contrary to what other countries think, he is not going to be friendly to any other nation. The troops will remain in Iraq throughout his first term (he might resuffle number of brigades). He does not seem to have any smart solutions about fixing the economic problem etc. Nancy Polosi mentioned that don't expect health care problem to be fixed. This makes me believe that Obama has tough road ahead, and worse, he does not have any prior experience to solve any major problems of the magnitude of national level. I hope media starts holding him responsible for his actions after Jan. 20.

 

[Big Daddy]

Perhaps you didn't see his news conference this afternoon? Not a great idea to post if you don't know what you're talking about.

Actually, I did and that's when I felt a 180 degree turn on his policy. His tax policy may sit on the backburner. I was somewhat disappointed with the "what kind of puppy you will get" and "what type of school your daughters will go to etc." I thought that media is too much into "ass kissing mode". On economy and taxes question, his response was that he has to look at the data and see what needs to be done. It was a fair response, but this is where my problem is with media and Obama. So far I have only seen him talking and I have not seen any action from him. I realize that it is too early, but I am hoping that he gets rigrous media scrutiny after he becomes president. Otherwise, he might just be another lazy person following president Bush presidency.

 

[korbel]

I know a lot of people in this board like Obama and may not like my criticism, but I think media is showering Obama with too much praise and is afraid of criticizing him because they are afraid of getting label as "racist."

The guy ran on the basis of lowering taxes, withdrawing troops from Iraq, and getting health care for everyone. It seems now he is hinting that none of these things will get done because of bad economy, which will be number one issue in his first term (as if he did not economy was bad). Now, if it was President Bush then media would be criticizing him like hell.

Even during the election campaign, most night time comedians did not use him for their jokes. As a result, Sarah Palin took a lot of heat when she wasn't even running for presidency.

While I think Obama is a smart guy and a great orator, his political accomplishments are modest at best. I hope that when he is actually sworn in, media should shed all the fears and cover him as they would with any other president.

Hello Big Daddy,

I think there is some just cause for saying the media is reluctant to criticize Obama. In this world of politically correct obsessiveness that is understandable. But the media will get over it fast about as soon as they smell real blood in the water. But your insinuation that they are going too easy on him now is silly. He isn't even President yet and you seem to want the media to chew at him. Geeeez pal, every President gets a honeymoon period. Why are you hinting he shouldn't. This smells like sour grapes. And then you think he is breaking his word before he is inaugurated and has a chance to do anything. Did you give up on your kids before they could walk or speak too. C'mon, give us a break. You can keep your bitterness if you wish, but let's at least wait for Obama to have the position to make a decision before you start criticizing them.

Sarh Plain deserves all the heat she got regardless of how the media treated Obama. The Republican campaign deliberately made her the lightning rod of their campaign, so if she got hit with some bolts it's only natural. And haven't you noticed what the Republicans are doing to her now. The media or the Democrats now look like coddlers of her compared to the Republicans.

By the way, you sound like you might be a reasonable Republican so far. It would be nice to have someone to debate with from the opposition that has't totally blown their credibility with despicable demagoguery and racism like Centaurus. So stick around. We long for an intelligent thought from the other side.

No one in the media (news or entertainment) would dare attack Obama for the next 4 years- afraid of being labeled racist.

Take an example of the late night comedians: 3 days after the election is over, they are still ridiculing McCain and Palin. The only future comic relief would be at the expense of Joe Biden .

Today, president- elect Obama put his big foot in his mouth uttering an idiotic statement " I already spoke with all the presidents.... that are alive”. Then he threw former first lady Nancy Reagan, a widower, under the bus to cover his ass.

So basically, Obama would have a free pass for the next 4 years. If yyou attack him (right or wrong), then you are a RACIST.

Brought to you by Centaurus aka Nonsense and Bigotry 101.

Cheers,

Korbel

 

[mass1965]

Actually, I did and that's when I felt a 180 degree turn on his policy. His tax policy may sit on the backburner. I was somewhat disappointed with the "what kind of puppy you will get" and "what type of school your daughters will go to etc." I thought that media is too much into "ass kissing mode". On economy and taxes question, his response was that he has to look at the data and see what needs to be done. It was a fair response, but this is where my problem is with media and Obama. So far I have only seen him talking and I have not seen any action from him. I realize that it is too early, but I am hoping that he gets rigrous media scrutiny after he becomes president. Otherwise, he might just be another lazy person following president Bush presidency.

Again you show your ignorance. If you had taken the time to read about Obama, his background, his education, his work after his education you would see the reasons why people are praising him, and how your statement about how he might become a lazy president doesn't apply at all.

You know I really think that Hamilton had it right in the great debates between him and Jefferson concerning how the government should be set up and officials elected. Go chew on that for a while

 

[Big Daddy]

Hello Big Daddy,

He isn't even President yet and you seem to want the media to chew at him. Geeeez pal, every President gets a honeymoon period. Why are you hinting he shouldn't. This smells like sour grapes. And then you think he is breaking his word before he is inaugurated and has a chance to do anything.
Sarh Plain deserves all the heat she got regardless of how the media treated Obama. The Republican campaign deliberately made her the lightning rod of their campaign, so if she got hit with some bolts it's only natural. And haven't you noticed what the Republicans are doing to her now. The media or the Democrats now look like coddlers of her compared to the Republicans.


Korbel

I agree with you, fair enough. For the record, I am registered independent and I did not vote because I never believed in Obama (I always considered him to be a guy who will make any promise to get a job). I did not believe in McCain either because selecting Sarah Palin was really a stupid decision.

On Obama, I hope that I am wrong, which I may very well be. Obama does not have any significant track record so I am slightly conservative on my assessment of him. I would have voted for Mitt Romney if he was on the Republican ticket.

Generally, democratic policies screw me personally. As a single person, I never qualify for any of their stimulus packages (Obama is suggesting another one). I make under 150K and despite what Obama says I will not get a tax break under his plan (he had a website setup to check if you will get a tax break). Worse he may increase capital gains tax on investments, which will screw me further.

I am OK with not getting any stimulus checks and paying higher capital gains as long as Obama actually becomes a better president. I will be looking at his actions as president very carefully.

 

[SexyNadya]

Palin is such an easy target.... Has the intellectual curiousity of a stone.

Ho God ! lol !

I'm still laughing ! !

 

[Big Daddy]

Again you show your ignorance. If you had taken the time to read about Obama, his background, his education, his work after his education you would see the reasons why people are praising him, and how your statement about how he might become a lazy president doesn't apply at all.

Not sure how you draw the conclusion on my ignorance. Although I don't want to claim that I am an expert on him either. I did look at his background, education and his work after his education. I don't want to get into that because there are several controversies there ( e.g., his interview in 2001 on lack wealth re-distribution during civil rights era; relationship with his pastor; and his past associations with a domestic terrorist etc.). I personally disregard the controversies to draw any conclusion on Obama.

I do admit my slight bias against his policies. I am neutral to slightly watchful. Obama has a tough job ahead and I hope that he gets out of this mess. Compared to McCain/Palin, he was definately a better choice.

 

[korbel]

I agree with you, fair enough. For the record, I am registered independent and I did not vote because I never believed in Obama (I always considered him to be a guy who will make any promise to get a job). I did not believe in McCain either because selecting Sarah Palin was really a stupid decision.

On Obama, I hope that I am wrong, which I may very well be. Obama does not have any significant track record so I am slightly conservative on my assessment of him. I would have voted for Mitt Romney if he was on the Republican ticket.

Generally, democratic policies screw me personally. As a single person, I never qualify for any of their stimulus packages (Obama is suggesting another one). I make under 150K and despite what Obama says I will not get a tax break under his plan (he had a website setup to check if you will get a tax break). Worse he may increase capital gains tax on investments, which will screw me further.

I am OK with not getting any stimulus checks and paying higher capital gains as long as Obama actually becomes a better president. I will be looking at his actions as president very carefully.

Okay Big Daddy,

Thanks for providing more information. However, I am in Massachusetts where Romney was Governor. We were obviously just a vehicle for his ambitions. That is not unusual of course, but he left the state worse off with a greater deficit than he found it. In fact, under his administration the state lost more jobs per capita, according to the information I read, than any Governor in state history. Even many Republicans here, numbering about 35-40% of voters, thought he just ditched the state at a bad time so he could run for President before he got too stained with his own failures. The Republican party was none too happy with this guy, and based on his term here I can't see why anyone would vote for him.

Concerning Obama, let's all take a breath. Bush is President. He is where the power still is and the country is his responsibility until January 20. He may be a "lame duck", but the country needs action now regardless, and Obama has no authority yet. So it's Bush's duty, and let's give the Obama a chance to sit in the chair before saying it's anyone says he's doing a bad job.

Cheers,

Korbel

 

[Techman]

It seems that certain people are insinuating that if Obama can't make everything perfect in his first term that he will be a failure. Well give the guy a break. It's a lot more difficult to fix something than it is to fuck it up in the first place. So why not give him a chance before you start getting ready to burn crosses on the White House lawn.

Sarah Palin had no business being on the ticket as McCain's running mate. If a man with the same (lack of) qualifications was available, I doubt he would have been considered. The only reason she was selected was to try to cash in on the fact that Hillary lost the nomination to Obama and they figured they could pick up some disgruntled feminist votes. Well guess what? No intelligent woman would have looked at Palin as anything but an embarassment to their gender. He should have picked Condoleezza Rice if he wanted a female running mate. Strong personality, experienced and black.

Techman

 

[korbel]

It seems that certain people are insinuating that if Obama can't make everything perfect in his first term that he will be a failure. Well give the guy a break. It's a lot more difficult to fix something than it is to fuck it up in the first place. So why not give him a chance before you start getting ready to burn crosses on the White House lawn.

Sarah Palin had no business being on the ticket as McCain's running mate. If a man with the same (lack of) qualifications was available, I doubt he would have been considered. The only reason she was selected was to try to cash in on the fact that Hillary lost the nomination to Obama and they figured they could pick up some disgruntled feminist votes. Well guess what? No intelligent woman would have looked at Palin as anything but an embarassment to their gender. He should have picked Condoleezza Rice if he wanted a female running mate. Strong personality, experienced and black.

Techman

Hello Techman,

The other very important reason to pick Palin was the Religious Right is incredibly dedicated when motivated. Many of these people don't care a wit about qualifications as long as the person is "right with God". But you are correct. Rice would have been the perfect choice...ultra-conservative, African American, and a woman. This choice would have highly motivated the Right and cut down the African American vote for the Democrats. Her experience is undeniable, she knows how to handle herself in interviews and debates...and she can't see Russia from her house...LOL! However, if McCain suffered from his association and support of Bush's policies, she was much closer.

I also agree that the standards are being impossibly set for Obama. When Bush took office The U.S. economy was doing very well and we had a huge budget surplus projected. He was in a very enviable position where it would have been very tough to fail...but he did. Now that we have a near disaster some think Obama should fix it and make every as good as 2001 quickly. Clearly the a Republican tactic is to set the expectations so high it will be impossible to succeed. Well, in reality if he just gets us back in the right direction again he will have been very successful. But surely, no matter what, the dogs are looking for any reason to bite.

Disgusting,

Korbel

 

[joelcairo]

He should have picked Condoleezza Rice if he wanted a female running mate. Strong personality, experienced and black.

Techman

And Condi already had lots of clothes so she wouldn't have had to spend over $150K on new threads like a certain hockey mom.