The Republicans Aren’t Funny, They’re Scary

[babylonsister]

The Republicans Aren’t Funny, They’re Scary

Posted on Nov 21, 2011

By Bill Boyarsky


It’s easy to laugh at the freak-show race for the Republican presidential nomination. Unfortunately, the antics of the candidates—and the media’s fascination with them—have diverted attention from what the Republicans would do if they win.

The sexual harassment accusations against Herman Cain, along with his confusion over matters such as Libya, make for entertaining television. So do the stumbles of Christian-right-hope Rick Perry, the collapse of ultra-conservative heroine Michele Bachmann and the sudden emergence of shopworn hack Newt Gingrich. The pratfalls of these make perfect material for the media in a presidential campaign that is breaking new ground in superficial coverage.

Such coverage has always been part of political reporting. But this year, it’s worse. To a great extent, the contest is being waged on simplistic cable television shows and blogs. This season’s new development, a multitude of debates with their one- minute answers and chances for unexpected disasters, feed the process. The debates, particularly the gaffes, are hashed over by the cable networks’ “analysts.” These people are often identified as “Democratic strategists” or “Republican strategists,” code for political campaign operatives looking for jobs. The same weak-minded commentary, not backed up by reporting, races through the Internet.

Lost in all this is an examination of what would happen to the country if one of these Republican candidates makes it to the White House, especially if the GOP retains the House and wins control of the Senate. Readers and viewers are not getting a clear explanation of what difference it would make if a Republican or President Barack Obama wins next November.

The information is available, if anyone has the time or patience to read it.

more...

http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/the_republicans_arent_funny_theyre_scary_20111121/

[pinto]

1. "...breaking new ground in superficial coverage..."

Kick

:kick:

[Scuba]

2. The art and science of journalism are pretty much gone from the mass media. n/t