A theory about the media and the RW...

[Atman]

I'm kind of reminded of the Simpsons episode wherein everyone was so sure Bart would win Class President that no one bothered to vote. Well, this isn't quite the scenerio, but it's close, and it is as good a theory as any these days. Plus, it's all my own!

It starts with the fact that I've begun to eschew CNN now, too, in favor of any number of alternative news sources, a large percentage of them online versions of various newspapers from around the world. Nothing I hear on CNN or MSNBC etc, jibes with the accounts from the rest of the world. Or even with the few investigative reporters left who are willing to actually investigate something. But, as with RW radio, who is really watching? I saw here the other day that only 450,000 people even tune in to CNN anyway. Half again that many for Fox and MSNBC, or something like that. Just over a million people in total.

That isn't really a lot, especially in teevee terms. When you consider that is across the big three, it is even less impressive for any single one of them. My point is, I think that CNN finally turned left because it discovered what the others already picked up on...mostly conservatives keep this kind of crap on all day anyway. Who is actually listening to AM radio, for christ's sake? Well, Limbaugh fans, and that's a pretty telling demographic indicator! That same conservative migration is happening to broadcast news. The conservatives are just now adapting to yet another waning technology while the progressives and the pointy-headed elites have moved on to other sources for their news -- namely the internet, where events are reported instantaneously, and news ricochets from one e-mail address faster than the WH press office can concoct press releases.

So, while the cable news networks and Murdoch news outlets keep posting inflated poll results and running touchy-feely human interest stories on the Bush's and provide live 24/7 of the beatification of Saint Ronald The Feeble Minded, all with the speculation that it is reinforcing a postitive "we're winning!" attitude, I think the opposite will occur.

I think those people who now hear trickles of news stories and are really beginning to doubt Bush -- those infamous coveted fence-sitters -- will simply stay home on election day, or worse yet, show up and say they're republicans but vote for Kerry when the curtain is closed. There are just too many doubts about Bush, more even more negative certainties. He is bad for America and the world. The working class republicans who gave Bush an edge last time are bailing on him now, and perhaps hearing that he is doing so gosh-darn well anyway, they'll feel a little less worried about pulling a last minute vote switcheroo, thinking it won't really be noticed.

But most of their friends will be doing the same thing, too. And at the same time, outraged and activated democrats will be out in full force, voting and making sure scoundrals like Jeb Bush aren't blocking access to the polls. It will all amount to a historic defeat for George W. Bush, and the Cable News Mutual Admiration Society will then switch to the big "what went wrong" retrospectives, not having a clue about the role they played in bringing about their own demise as "the most trusted name in news."

That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it until I think of another one.

[Speck Tater]

1. I have to agree with you on this.

That's a pretty clear analysis for my money. I personally don't know many people anymore who rely on TV or newspapers for their news. Newspapers are always reporting yesterday's news and TV offers nothing but abbreviated sound bites. Everyone I know under the age of 75 relies very heavily on the Internet for news, and looks to sources from all over the world, not just the US RW-controlled media.

I think the wingers are a small clique in the US but because the "establishment press" also belongs to the clique they are fooled into believing that everybody is on their side. They are blind to what is really happening in this country. And in the world for that matter.

[lectrobyte]

2. I don't know, but I try not to be overconfident

my conservative relatives and co-workers seem pretty fired up about beating Kerry, and are convinced Boosh is the best thing ever for the country. What indications of "working class republicans who gave Bush an edge last time are bailing on him now" have you seen?