Seems like the evening news casts are down playing Romney

[WI_DEM]

and up playing President Obama's 'shoot first' comment as if he's the one being political! I guess the MSM wants to try and give Mittens some rope because they are afraid that their 'close election' angle might evaporate.

[Firebrand Gary]

1. Romney badly damaged himself here. I think you are right on the latter! nt

[BumRushDaShow]

2. The "close election" already HAS evaporated

But they will carry on because they will find opportunities like this to keep the eyeballs...

[Beartracks]

3. Controversy sells. It's the rule of MSM.

I agree -- the media will want to maintain the illusion of a horse race and photo finish. Not only will that keep ratings high among those who relish nail-biters, but it also conveeeeeeniently softens up the public to be more accepting of "surprising" election results, a.k.a. "the exit polls were, uh, wrong, so get over it."

================

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

4. I wish they would stop mentioning Romney entirely

and start covering the campaigns of the American Independent Party or the Constitution Party, for example.

[Floyd_Gondolli]

5. They still want the horse race narrative BUT

I do think this is the kind of slow burn story that can do a lot more damage over the long term than one that has a big pop and fades away.

We'll be talking about it this time next week. Book it. And by then the coverage will include several extremely awkward attempts by Romney to walk it back or soften it, only to say something that invites further scrutiny.

[onecent]

6. Listen to MSNBC if you can....THEY DON'T down play it. n/t

[Honeycombe8]

7. Anderson Cooper on CNN is right now doing an excellent spot on it. No glossing over things.

It contained a short snippet of street interview with some Republican congressman who said the "being political" statement. That's the Republic talking point on this...Obama is being political.

Anderson is handling this very well.

[GeorgeGist]

8. The MSM can give Mittens all the rope he wants.

[spinbaby]

9. I walk by monitors showing CNN clips all day

Can't ever hear what they're saying, but I can see what's on at the moment. This morning was all about Mitt standing in front of a flag looking presidential. After lunch, he disappeared.

[Dawson Leery]

10. The CBS evening news featured an Obama interview calling for proper action at this time.

Aside from Fox "News" and Wolf Blitzer, Romney has taken a beating today for his absurdity.