Decatur, Ask Obama Your Questions!
Decatur Metro | August 13, 2008UPDATE: The filming last night was done on Roy Blunt plaza. The pup and I saw it on our walk. Here’s an AP story about the tapings…a Decatur questioner is highlighted.
Apparently our fame as the liberal bastion of Georgia proceeds us…
Over on Fresh Loaf, Thomas Wheatley reports that Obama staffers have chosen downtown Decatur to take video-taped questions for a “nationwide townhall” that will be part of the Democratic National Convention later this month. Cameras will be on the Square TODAY from 3p-7p. From the address it seems like they’ll be set up by Wordsmiths, but don’t take my word for it.
Here’s the letter from Obama for America, courtesy of Fresh Loaf…
Barack Obama will be accepting the Democratic presidential nomination at the convention in Denver on August 28th, and we’re throwing the doors open to the public by hosting America’s Town Hall.
Americans from around the country will be submitting questions that will be answered by elected leaders and national experts, live at the convention.
To be a part of this historic opportunity, come this Wednesday to Decatur City Square and submit a question of your own. Staff will be on hand to videotape your question which could be selected to be asked at the convention.
Here are the details:
America’s Town Hall Question Submission
Decatur City Square
599 N. McDonough Street Decatur, GA
Wednesday, August 13th
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Hope to see you there! Obama for America
So maybe, when you take the dog out for a walk later this afternoon, you could stop by and ask the Democratic Presidential Nominee a question or two.
No biggie. Just another day in Decatur.
Latest from Decaturish
I can’t make it, but maybe someone can ask him the following:
Sen. Obama, since you apparently feel that those in the top tax bracket are not paying their “fair share” at the current 35% marginal rate, will you agree to retroactively fork over the the extra 4.9%, plus payroll taxes, of the millions you raked in for your books?
People attach alot of emotional meaning to words and lately it seems that the terms ‘liberal’ and ‘conservative’ are exceptionally potent. It always make me laugh when people actually define themselves as these words or labels. Liberal it seems has a particularly negative connotation. Its currently being attached to narcissim. (only the narcissist is capable of calling another such) Personally, I don’t see many people that are labeled liberal living in cookie cutter McMansions and driving around in SUV’s with ‘Support the Troops’ bumperstickers attached to them (thanks for supporting the troops while they risk thier lives watching over the pipelines to fill your SUV?). I don’t view bloated deficits that will be impossible to pay back without selling our freedoms to China or Saudi Arabia or Great Britain as ‘conservative’. Personally I’m starting to lose the meaning of these words though they seem to be used so freely by everyone. I think many are trying to shift the word ‘liberal’ to ‘progressive’ and many of the policies Obama is talking about would better fit that category. He’s the only one that is talking about investment in progressive transportation (sustainable rail network), addressing the fact that the infrastructure is crumbling and now that people are moving into cities investment is most needed here, and most importantly, talking about how to unravel from the folley called a war in the middle east. Though actually its not a war, its an ‘occupation’. People can talk about war in very abstract terms but don’t understand the psychology of ‘occupation’. Up until 2 years ago I spent several weeks each year walking kids through conflict zones in occupied territories of Palestine. Its easy to sit with your milk and cookies snuggled up on your Ikea couch and spout opinions about pro-war without actually seeing the impact of an occupation on a population. So when it comes to Obama and higher taxes I guess you just might have to suck it up for a few years. The majority of Georgians voted for the admistration at the helm for the last 8 years. (there is a sign up on the refrigerator at Java Monkey that says “Is Georgia Stupid?”…good question.) The seeds have been planted by this administration. Now we are just starting to bear the fruit. Unfortunately instead of cherries and blueberries, we are starting to get worm filled crab apples.
Once Obama outlays specific AND realistically implementable plans to achieve all these wonderfully progressive programs, I will consider supporting his campaign. Until that time, my jury is still out. Having not visited an “occupied” state, much less assisted it citizenry during such a time, I will certainly give benefit of the doubt to you. I do feel that there must be a sizable portion of the Iraqi population whose lives are in a MUCH better situation than prior to multilateral removal of a murderous maniac that was Saddam Hussein. It could have gone better…it SHOULD have gone better. I am extremely wary of a non-proven product such as Barack Obama. Perhaps in the ensuing 80 days or so before the election, he can provide something that will bring the many, many citizens who share my
uncertainty around to his camp of adulators. As uncomfortable as it may be, I am on the fence.
The higher taxes won’t be for a few years. They’ll be pretty much permanent. The simple fact is we as a country have been borrowing way too much for way too long, and if you think Obama has any plans to put an end to that, you’re crazy. He will certainly try to nationalize healthcare, and that will cost trillions of dollars this government does not have. It will make the war spending look like a drop in the bucket (which it is, frankly, compared to SS and medicare spending, even now). Always keep in mind that the initial cost estimates for Medicare were off by well over 100%. This will be even worse.
I am not saying McCain is better. He might be worse. And I certainly am not defending Bush, who is not by any sensible definition of the word a “conservative.”
So let me get this straight:
In May 1967, Egypt expelled the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) from the Sinai Peninsula, which had been stationed there since 1957 (following the 1956 Suez Crisis) to provide a peace-keeping buffer zone. Egypt also amassed 1,000 tanks and 100,000 soldiers on the border, closed the Straits of Tiran to all ships flying Israeli flags or carrying strategic materials, and called for unified Arab action against Israel. On June 5, 1967, Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Egypt’s airforce. Jordan, which had signed a mutual defence treaty with Egypt on May 30, then attacked western Jerusalem and Netanya. At the war’s end, Israel had gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights. The results of the war affect the geopolitics of the region to this day.
So, a free people noticed they were about to be attacked, they countered and called a bluff, a WAR started, and the side that LOST, which provoked the entire war, compains to this day of being “occupied”.
Am I right on here? Or did I miss something? I may have missed the day in war school where they talked about the side that lost gets to keep their land.
And there’s the word “sustainable” again to add color to the rail network. Is there a type of rail network that is unsustainable?
I am more troubled by a proven character like John McCain than a less experienced Obama. Staying on the fence will get you nothing. Work with the system to stop American bullying at the expense of the American middle-class tax payer. We just can’t afford to police the world. There are literally places all over the place. It’s really expensive–ask Switzerland…. When most Americans wake up in the morning they are certainly not thinking about Iraqi freedoms. They are thinking about jobs, schools, taxes, clean air, etc. McCain wakes up wanting to hunt the Phantom Menace on our dime. Nein Danke.
Sorry, John, but I respectfully disagree. I am all for focusing more on homeland issues, but were it not for America being there for many unstable parts of the world, many countries would not be present at all. In today’s
“global” world, it is dangerous to become selfcentric at the expense of keeping an eye to the horizon of world events. I know I don’t need to point to MANY examples where such sociopolitical narcissism has lead to some horrifying world events…
I would rather not defend myself after you have come into my house if I can stop you at the property line….so to speak…JMHO.
As to being on the fence, I suppose if the election were held today, I would support McCain. Just saying that I need more than pie-in-sky platitudes to give you my vote. Maybe it’s the old axiom: Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.
By the end of his first term, hypothetical President John McCain has predicted the following. A democratic and peaceful Iraq, a severely weakend Taliban, no safe harbor in the world for Al Queda, no more genocide in Sudan, a bigger and better equipped Army and Marines, a rebounded economy, higher graduation rates and test scores in public schools, Social Security has been “fixed” without raising taxes or reducing benefits, a balanced budget, a secure Southern Border, and Osama Bin Laden has been captured. Well, that’s only a sample of what he’s predicted, but it makes me wonder why Obama is considered the pie-eyed optimist.
Obama’s proposed a 16 month, Malaki endorsed, withdrawal plan from Iraq while McCain’s has said he’s willing to stay in Iraq for a million years, then denied saying it, then said it again.
McCain’s campaign – has gone nearly broke and had to use public financing as collateral for a loan, a violation of the very law that was his most substantial accomplishment as a US Senator, has endured multiple shake-ups among it’s top officers, has had numerous spokespersons go off the reservation with their comments, and most recently plagiarized wikipedia for a speech concerning an international incident. Obama’s campaign has been organized, disciplined and fund-raising juggernaut.
McCain has also admitted he doesn’t understand economics or know how to use a computer.
Why is Obama the only one who needs to prove himself?
If anyone is legitimately “on-the-fence”, I encourage you to google those issues where you feel Obama is lacking details. You’ll probably find them, just not in sound-bite driven media like CNN or FOX News.
CHris, no more caffeine for you…calm down there friend!
You ask why is Obama the only one to have to prove himself….uhhh…how about him having functioned as a public official a grand total of…lets see…
QUOTE:
Someone did the math on Obama the Senator. He has only been a Senator for 18 months. But with all the recesses, four day weekends, campaigning and absences, Obama has only spent about 6 weeks of workdays on the Senate floor as one of the most junior Senators.
Most of his votes, about 80% when he was not absent, have been “present” or “abstain”. He also chairs a committee that has never met because the chairman has never called a meeting. As a trial lawyer he only tried 14 cases in court – and minor ones at that.
As a “community organizer” his major cause was getting the asbestos out of a housing project. After 2 years of trying, the asbestos was still there when he left and is still there even now that he is a Senator and esumably has some pull to get things done.
That’s it. His entire real world work resume. 6 weeks work in the Senate with nothing to show for it. Two years as a lawyer and only 14 minor trials. And two years as a “community organizer” with nothing accomplished.
UNQUOTE
Conversely, McCain has served the public in measurable and demonstrable facets for some twenty-six (26) years. Like it or not, he has a long track record that is verifiable…whether you agree with his positions or not.
I will not debate your McCain criticisms…it is not for me to change your mind whatsoever. My point was, and still is, I need something more that Obama has offered so far. Would McCain be my first choice as the Republican nominee? No. But our venerable mayor Bill Floyd ( and several commissioners) has more years of service and experience than Obama, and much more tangible and measurable results.
Maybe we will hear more substance when Mr. Obama returns from his Hawaiian vacation. More likely it will just be more of the same…platitudes.
For my vote, I want something more, and at this point the would be emperor has no clothes.
Obama has essentially promised to stop the oceans from rising. And he’s going to do this while lowering oil prices by flooding the market with barrels from our strategic reserve. Nice trick! Nothing McCain has said comes anywhere close to that.
DEM, see my earlier post. McCain has promised to solve every problem this country has. It’s on his website, check it out. Where did Obama promise to stop oceans from rising? Oh wait, that’s becasue he hasn’t. That’s why you had to say “essentially.” Nice trick! Also, if Obama releasing oil from the strategic reserves is a trick, what’s the gas tax holiday?
You’re right, he did not promise he would do that. He said it had already started when he locked up the nomination. But he did not stop there, he also claimed that it was the moment when the entire planet began to heal. The planet has a fever, and Obama is its Tylenol.
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-was-moment-when-rise-of-oceans.html
At any rate, you are taking this WAY too seriously. What candidate doesn;t promise to solve everything? I must have missed the last candidate who said “vote for me, I have a few, but not all, of the answers.”
Right on the money DEM.
But we fought the good humor fight here…some folks just take this stuff with
St. Obama WAY too seriously…Fye, fye, I say…
Obama is going to win over 80% of the vote in the City of Decatur, mark my words, regardless of what any of you say.
Anyway, my post was about the double standard the two candidates are held to, but thanks for the talking points. The St. Obama thing at the end was a nice touch too.
Oh he will definitely take Decatur….and the St. Obama thing is a quote from the media…I am not that clever! I wish I was but I am not…
All candidates since time began have had such double standards applied. I still question the experiential quotient in Obama which was my starting point in this thread…and it has yet to be addressed on this blog/thread, so I will ask directly: What experience in business or public service does Obama bring to the table? It is a basic consideration for any job ANYONE applies for…should it not be so for the most powerful office in the land?
As to Jim wanting to know how much experience Obama has….more than George W. had and about the same as Clinton. I’d say that is enough experience. Let’s face it. Power corrupts and a Senator for 26 years is certainly more influenced by special interest than an Obama with four or five years of exposure to that same intenisty of corruption and paybacks. George Washington had very little political experience and he worked out OK.
My other question for Jim is, “Why do Americans think it is our job to police the world?” America used to be more focused on itself. That is was made it so great. We didn’t want to get into the squabbling of other nations. We were too focussed on bettering our futures to worry about the rest of the world issues. This is the basis of American ingenuity. It took alot to pull us into WWI and WWII. Because we cared and it was real, we defeated the Nazi Wehrmacht and the Japanese in less time than our involvement in Iraq. We are still looking for Osama bin Laden in the one place we know he isn’t–Iraq. These little CIA wars of occupation are getting really tiresome for the American taxpayer. If McCain and Bush wanted to bring Osama to justice they would have sent 130,000 troops into Afghanistan instead of into Iraq. Osama is not Hussein and capturing the Riddler is not the same as capturing the Joker. My country invaded Iraq and all I got was expensive gas. Somehow when Bush took office my crystal ball told me oil companies would gain the most by having an oilman at the helm of this great country.
Forget experience for a minute, what about the issues? McCain has promised to nominate a Scalia or a Thomas to the Supreme Court if he is elected. With an expected 3 vacancies coming up on the Supreme Court in the next 4 years (all of them on the liberal wing of the Court), that is enough, without anything else, to tell me who I’m gonig to vote for. Elect McCain and no more reproductive rights for women, gay sex will again be illegal, whatever is left of workers rights will be history, and I hope that you never get arrested or falsely accused of a crime or “terrorist” act. Not to mention that we will continue spending $2 billion a week in Iraq when cities like Detroit and New Orleans are floundering, until the war is “won,” whatever that means.
How about addressing those questions, Jim.
But on to your question (you deserve an answer):
What experience in business or public service does Obama bring to the table?
He gradutated for Columbia, Harvard Law School (was President of the Harvard Law Review while there), practiced law, was a law school professor, Illinois State Senator, current U.S. Senator, written two NY TImes bestseller books.
But tell me, I’m not saying that John McCain is not qualified to be President, but what has John McCain ever done outside of the sheltered world of the Federal Government?
And just in case anyone accuses me of saying that McCain is not a war hero, that is not what I’m saying, and believe that the 6 years he spent in a prison camp in Vietnam was a courageous test of character.
But that doesn’t necessarily qualify him for being President of the United States.
Well, I am not appointing my self as defender of the Republican party past or present.
My feeling about your question is that so much of the rest of the world…France, Japan, China…etc. via the United Nations, etc. have become toothless when there are threats to world stability. Now in some cases, they don’t have the wherewithal to contribute either financially, physically, etc. in international skirmishes. I do think AMerica has become more involved in such areas due to the increased globalization of commodities, etc. whereas 100 years ago, that was not the case, at least near the degree that it is today. Our Democractic presidents also worked toward defending/supporting international skirmishes, but more often their efforts were clandestine and not much more successful.
And while I understand your sentence re: length of service leading to potential special interest interference, I will not back up from my personal belief that experience…in this particular race…is a deciding factor for me.
I don’t agree with many of Obama’s positions…energy, healthcare to name two vital ones, so added together he is a no-go for me. Nor am I a rabid
John McCain person…for different reasons, some of which you mention in your post. But these are the two choices we have been given. I think the debates will clarify these differences for a lot of folks who, like me, have been on or near the fence with their POTUS choice. These policy positions coupled with his “relatively” unknown track record make the diffeence to me.
Finally, I am not trying to besmirch Obama, change anyones mind as to who they support, nor sounding the trumpets for McCain. Neither are any great shakes in my opinion. But is all we have
Because we cared and it was real, we defeated the Nazi Wehrmacht and the Japanese in less time than our involvement in Iraq.
—————-
You’re joking, right? We still have military bases in both countries. Want to bet we won’t be in Iraq nearly as long?
It is really as simple as if you want four more years of the policies of the Bush administration, vote for John McCain, because, ultimately, while their styles are different, he’s supporting the same policies. He’s even relying on the same advisors.
McCain’s “experience” of nearly three decades in the Congress, actually works against him if you ask me. If he had ever been a Governor, business owner, or held a job outside of the federal government that might be different, but he hasn’t.
Decaturguy….I was leery of even posting my opinion here…or elsewhere…because invariably someone who disagrees asks you to defend a candidate as if you are there campaign manager or mother. I think I have clearly stated why I am very ambivalent about Obama. Therefore, I am not getting in a point by point parrying match over this…I won’t ask you to cite your statement about Scalia etc.I wont’ ask you to back up the “sweeping social changes” that apparently McCain is capable of creating singlehandedly, because Congressional control is in the hands of the Pelosi party…it won’t change how either of us feel…and as I have stated repeatedly here…that is/was not my purpose in posting. I am very fiscally conservative and to that end, I cannot in good conscious support many of Obama’s stated programs. AGAIN, this is not a black and white decision for any of us…NO PUN INTENDED…I respect your right to have an opinion and support a candidate…why am I (and others) afforded that same courtesy?
…oops…that should be NOT afforded the same courtesy…Dang it!
DEM, I think JohnD’s point was regarding the lengths of both wars, Iraq being the longer one.
Jim,
How are you not being afforded the courtesy of your opinion? You seem to be freely stating it! But I’m not going to let you sit here and state that Obama has no experience and McCain does, and just let that stand. Sorry.
FOR THE FINAL TIME…in my opinion…
Forgive me if I misstyped my thoughts….I was called upon indirectly to defend John McCains purported positions, at least as you view them. The topic at hand was discussing Obama’s experience…not Obamas platform, although that has entered the conversation here.
You feel Obama has enough experience.
I do not.
You feel that John McCain’s experience may be the wrong experience.
I do not.
You feel that McCain is a continuance of Bush bungling.
I do not.
Would I prefer two different candidate other than these two? Yes.
I have not challenged your position (none of my business) to which you have a right to hold. I am not trying to “prove” you wrong….or inaccurate….or accuse you of painting with a broad stroke. Moreover, you will vote November 4th, I will vote November 4th, the chips will fall where they may, and we will all go on with our lives and probably refocus on burning local issues like 315, annexation, rising taxes, and what’s the next restaurant to close in Decatur.
Jim, you make an excellent point about not wanting to post an opinion about a candidate, lest you be considered a paid representative of his opponents campaign. After you comments trying to paint me a some sort of zealot to “St. Obama”, I do find your lament somewhat hypocritical, but let’s move on.
Jim,
Please swithc the dial off of AM for just a little while.
The OG
Well Chris as I said, I was referring to the media not you re: Saint Obama. I try not to be snide when blogging as I think that is disrespectful…so ANOTHER apology is offered. Plus, I was keeping my comments/opinion to experience, not policies or platforms. The waters get muddy when too many oars dip into it.
OGEE…LOL…glad we can still have some humor here…I just don’t care for Obama, but that doesn’t make me right wing, Republican, or any other misnomer. I have REPEATEDLY posted I ain’t crazy about either candidate… it is what we have been dealt.
I would expect that we all fall all over the spectrum map depending on the issue…so since I don’t push others to the Dem/Liberal side, don’t push me to the Pub/Conservative side…OK? If one must pigeonhole me, call me a Libertarian…fiscally conservative and social middle/left. This is such a volatile national issue, so thanks to all for keeping this on the high road…that is tough to do!
I wouldn’t pigeonhole you if you were the last pidgeon on earth.
I am curious…I wonder, due to the rising home prices recently in Decatur, if the balance of power from Democrat to Republican is moving towards the Republican camp.
I know, I know our town is still mostly Liberal, but I would like to see some stats on recent voting trends.
Anyone know where you can find that?
Decaturite?
Not sure how you want to parse the data, but here’s the treasure trove of election results data you requested. Good luck and let us know what you find!
OMG……
I will get back to you in 2011.
I commute between Boston and Atlanta (Decatur). (Actually I have modest homes in both places and feel very, very fortunate about this. ) My work allows me the flexibility to spend time in both places, though as I am entering mid life I am starting to get the desire to spend most of my time in one place rather than all this hopping around. The Governor of Massachusetts is Deval Patrick. He is a black man, and also an accomplished Harvard Graduate who is a friend of Obama’s. There was alot of skeptism about him before he took over the Governors office. And in the beginning he made some serious missteps. But I must say, he is really getting his groove, if you will. His social, environmental and transport policies have been very progressive and generally well received. He is widely encouraging a “creative economy” which continues to make Massachusetts the number one tech state in the country. Things up there are not perfect. But I think the guy is doing a pretty good job and I think the majority of the citizens of MA think so as well. Western MA (Springfied area) always seems to struggle…but the Boston/Worchester corridor is actually doing pretty well. House prices have gotten too high and are going through a correction, but they are still up significantly from 5 years ago on average. The job market is doing great so far. So, while I’m skeptical of any politician, I’m going for Obama. Sure he has a bit of an ego..what politician doesn’t? I don’t think a person with 2 daughters such as his can have bad intentions. You can tell alot from a person by thier kids. Plus he can mobilize and inspire people. Grampy McCain is not capable of this. (sorry…I didn’t mean to make it an age thing…but come on… the guy is a bit on the edge…there are certain times in life that certain jobs are just more appropriate). And lastly, I’ve realized that as I age I am becoming more auditory sensitive. I often think when I am say..on a flight and some flight attendant is squawking over the intercom that they should give some of them some type of voice lessons. Something about the sound of George Bush and John McCains voices just irritates the crap out of me. Very superficial I know…but its one of those multi-dimensional layers of life that has an impact on you. At least I am aware of it.
So I am leaving on a flight for the Kakuma refugee camp on the border of Kenya and Sudan in about 2.5 hours. I’m not quite certain what I am getting into, but hey…will never know until I try. Many years ago when I was living in London I met a guy…I’ll call him a teacher…that told me “Rick…there are 2 types of people in life. The person playing the game…kicking the ball. And the person in the stands saying…’kick the ball!’ The guy in the stands can jump up and down and scream and yell…but that really has no bearing on the guy that is kicking the ball.” When Rachel Corrie (a young girl from Olympia Washington) was killed by an American made Caterpillar tank in Rafah Palestine on the border of Egypt while trying to protect the house of a phamacist from being destroyed, it dawned on me what what my teacher was saying. He said..”Rick, you are involved or you are just making alot of noise.” So I went and I learned and I saw the implications of these conflicts…not as just some abstraction but the impact of these situations on REAL peoples lives. So using all my vacation time to head to Africa to work in a refugee camp is another way to kick the ball. Its as much selfish as it is selfless. Also it gives one hope as there are some amazing people giving alot more than me that are out there that inspire me to believe the world is not always ugly, but can be amazingly beautiful even amidst the ugliness. Once humans begin to better understand thier minds…one of the last great frontiers….I think we will start to be on a better path. And one of the first things I think we should focus on to better understand is fear. All of us are fearful…even the most courageous..but we try to run from the fear instead of facing it for what it is…creating conflicts in our own minds and devising great escapes which in turn create even more fear.
I am honored to be a part of the community of Decatur and think its great that this blog is a voice to vent some pent up frustrations…..when it comes down to it…it may be irritating to listen to people rant (I know I can be very irrititating)..each person on here..if you think about it…really cares. How enlightened and beautiful is that?
Take care all. I’ll be back to bust your nuts again with more topics in a month!
Rick
wow….just wow.
That’s one way to kill a thread.
ROTFL
I’ve got to got back to the OED and look up the word sanctimonious again.
Still ROTFL….:)
I read this again.
I still can’t get over it.
Unbelievable. I mean….utterly shocking in its hubris. Is that even grammatically correct? My brain is like a scrambled egg after reading it again.
I am a Democrat….but I also look at all sides of an argument, because to not do so would be irresponsible…what are some thoughts on this excerpt I read from a site?:
The broadcast networks took an entire year to locate Reverend Wright. Despite a feisty interview on Fox News Channel’s Hannity & Colmes back on March 1, 2007 about Obama’s church’s controversial commitment to a “black value system,” the name of Jeremiah Wright didn’t surface on the Big Three networks until CBS first broached it on February 28, 2008. The first story with Wright sermon soundbites aired two weeks later, on ABC on March 13. By then, 42 states and the District of Columbia had already voted.
The broadcast network evening news shows gave virtually no coverage to Wright soundbites in March. Snippets of Wright’s sermons drew only 72 seconds of evening news coverage in all of March, or an average of 24 seconds per network, less than one commercial.
The Big Three morning shows gave four times as much time to Wright soundbites as the evening shows in March. The morning shows carried almost five minutes of Wright clips (297 seconds), with ABC offering the most at 128 seconds. The other two networks each ran less than 90 seconds.
The networks completely ignored soundbites of Wright’s conspiracy theory about the U.S. government inventing AIDS to kill blacks, and mostly ignored his comments about the September 11 terrorist attacks being “America’s chickens coming home to roost.” None of the network morning or evening shows found one opportunity to air Wright’s 2003 sermon accusing the federal government of hiding the truth about their “inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color.” His attack on America’s alleged record of terrorism and violence was ignored by all three evening shows, as well as by CBS’s The Early Show.
The broadcast networks gave clips of Obama’s “race speech” on March 18 more than twice as much air time in a few hours than they gave all of the Wright bites aired in the month of March. The evening news shows on March 18 carried almost six minutes (348 seconds) of highlights from the Obama speech, or roughly five times more than all the Wright bites in March. The morning shows carried roughly nine and a half minutes (572 seconds) of sound from the speech. The three morning shows gave almost twice as much time to the Obama speech clips as they devoted to Wright soundbites in March. Combined, Obama’s one speech drew about 15 minutes of clips, while Wright’s years of sermons drew about six minutes.
Broadcast network interview segments on the Wright remarks and Obama’s race speech in March were dominated by liberal guests. When the networks allowed Republican or conservative guests, they stayed neutral or praised Obama’s remarks. Overall, the network pundit count was 16 to 5. CBS especially loaded its reaction panels with nine liberals and just one right-leaning pundit, pollster Frank Luntz, who contained his remarks to grading Obama’s stagecraft. NBC allowed six liberals and three conservatives. ABC aired one liberal and one conservative.
Wright’s National Press Club vitriol repeating his opinions about an AIDS conspiracy and America deserving 9/11 went virtually unreported. The broadcast network morning and evening shows aired only two and a half minutes (155 seconds) of soundbites from Wright’s April 28 performance at the National Press Club, but there were no soundbites about AIDS and only 23 seconds about America deserving a terrorist attack. By contrast, these same Big Three shows aired almost six minutes (358 seconds) of clips of Wright’s softball interview with Bill Moyers on PBS, where he accused conservatives of smearing him as a hater.
In today’s rapid-fire political atmosphere of cable news, talk radio, and the Internet, media analysts can easily make the mistake of believing that the leading network news outlets were tough on a candidate because of the general perception of how the entire media – Old Media and New Media – brought a controversy to the public’s attention. But voters who sampled only a light menu of news from Big Three network TV could easily have missed the depths of Reverend Wright’s outrageous remarks. No one could find in these stories a scouring scrutiny of Obama’s decades of membership in his controversial church.
Thoughts?
Can we just vote Rick for President and be done with it?
Anyway Left Wing…First off, the study you’re citing was done by Brent Bozell’s Media Research Center. If you are unfamiliar with Brent Bozell, go ahead and google him and the MRC.
Second, when reading this study, one should be aware that timings given are SPECIFICALLY and ONLY measuring the length of video clips of Rev. Wright or Obama speaking. They ARE NOT measuring time devoted to reporting or analyzing the story. In other words, they are contrasting the time spent replaying Wright making his controversial statements, which last only a few seconds in total vs. time spent replaying parts of Obama’s 40 minute speech.
Finally, this study only refers to network coverage, and further differentiates between morning and evening broadcasts. The idea being, the more words and numbers they throw around, the more impressive their study seems.
My thoughts? This study, at best, is apropos of nothing.