Why this Obama Supporter LIKES What Clinton Did with MSNBC

[alcibiades_mystery]

Axiom 1: The media is biased, by definition and in practice.
Axiom 2: All candidates are filtered through the media screen.

It's time we stop whining about Axiom 1. It is simply the case that the media is biased, and significantly inflects people's views of political candidates. There are idealists out there who whine and moan about this, and hold out a dream for "unbiased journalism." This is an ideology concocted in the beginning of the last century to make the profession of journalism seem more "scientific." There is no unbiased journalism, and there NEVER HAS BEEN. Once we accept this fact, we can start developing strategies to deal with it.

Candidates have to win despite media attacks and distortions. A good candidate is one who can mitigate the effects of the media on public perceptions. That's an evaluative criterion that follows from Axiom 1 and Axiom 2. You have to be able to deal with the infosphere you have. Candidates who can't hack the infosphere we have are no better than candidates who can't hack the bureaucracy we have: it is a real condition of the world; simply complaining about why it isn't some ideal condition will get us nowhere, yet this has been the sniffy practice of Democrats for the last 20 years.

They ask "Why isn't the media more like what it should be?" They should be asking "How do I hack the media that DOES EXIST? How do I work it? How do I win in spite of it?" Eventually, the question might be "How do I change it?" But you have to get elected for that.

The two remaining candidates have very different media strategies, but both are very effective. John Edwards, unfortunately, could not hack the infosphere. There's no use complaining about it. He was a BAD CANDIDATE because he could not hack it. He couldn't figure out a way to win despite of it. Were the barriers high? Yes, they were. Unfair? Yes, of course. But that's how the world works, and we are either pragmatists or idealists. Pragmatists get more done.

Obama's Strategy- Obama's strategy for hacking the infosphere is a "nice guy/enthusiasm" strategy. He knows how to run positive affective energy through the infosphere, and the media likes that (because enthusiasm is its stock in trade). He knows various buttons to push on the media, and he pushes them well. Rather than complaining about him getting all this "positive coverage," we should be studying how he manages to shape the coverage positively. Obama does media judo; he brings them in and uses their own energy to his advantage.

Clinton's Strategy - Senator Clinton's strategy is the same as her husband's. Bill Clinton was perhaps the best hacker of the infosphere we've seen on the Dem side, maybe ever. (The Bushies are remarkable hackers of the infosphere, which is the only reason Bush isn't already impeached). President Clinton's strategy was to attack the media directly, to constantly call them on attacks, and to circumvent the media altogether with well-timed appeals to the population. Senator Clinton has essentially taken the same approach, and here's what I like about it: IT FUCKING WORKS. Going after Shuster and Matthews send a message: I will knock you out cold if you drop your hand a bit. If Obama does media judo, the Clintons are straight up boxers, quick feet with power. That's a good thing.

(The Bushies were good media players because they used both judo and boxing; credit where credit is due).

So, I'm glad Clinton is out there sparring with the media. It's a strategy that works. You put folks on notice, and you have massive support to back up your power punches. So it was David Schuster this time and lots of people like him. So what. You either win the media war or you lose it. Kerry lost it, badly. Edwards lost it badly too. We can bemoan that, or we can figure out a way to win it. I prefer the latter.

[libertee]

1. Smart post..Thank you, and AGREE! n/t

[ruggerson]

2. Very well said

I don't get why more people don't understand this.

[alcibiades_mystery]

3. I think it also accounts for all the "Obama cult" bullshit

People see the judo and think it is the same as the media's senseless droning; it's really just a strategy, and it WORKS.

I like things that work.

[bigbrother05]

21. It's smart to remember the old adage:

Don't pick a fight with someone that buys ink by the barrel and paper by the ton.

You can get away with the occasional straight up attack, but finesse is required when faced with a group that has 24/7 access to the public.

[Tellurian]

6. I'll second that..

but not as obvious to most folks supporting Obama. Most likely their candidate is the media choice to challenge McCain...which inofitself should be suspect by Obama supporters. However not all that easy, when they are basking in the blissful sunshine of their minds (with eyes wide shut) as being the "chosen" ones.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. No, you're thinking about it the wrong way

You suppose that the media has 'selected' a candidate to face Mccain, etc. That's not how the bias works. It's a nice paranoid theory, but that's really all it is.

Is it possible for you to respond without immediately turning into "slam Obama supporter" mode? is that even possible for you anymore. It's clouding your judgment, for real.

Here I am an Obama supporter praising Clinton's media strategy, and the first thing you do is revert to slam Obama supporter mode, with more of the "cult" tropes. You need to get out and get some perspective, seriously.

[Tellurian]

11. OK! I'll go along with your premise..

for the time being..:hi:

[Jawja]

4. Great analysis.

Gore lost the media war as well.

I will never forget Cokie Roberts on ABC This Week asking this question when the automatic Florida recount began in 2000:

"WHEN is Gore going to concede??"

This at the beginning of the process. This is how the media framed the election theft by Jeb Bush's Florida.

I have despised her ever since.

K&R

[KittyWampus]

5. VERY true, but Clinton was happy to pile on top of Mediawhores when they attacked Kerry

And it was her husband who contributed greatly to the Media Environment we currently enjoy.

[robbedvoter]

7. I also liked when Obama did the same to Fox.

[Rock_Garden]

9. That's it exactly.

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. Excellent balenced analysis. KICK with a big "R"...

And I think hinted at with your final comment on Bush - some "yin yang" is ideal. Go with your strength but don't be so one dimensional that you are totally limited to one strategic aproach.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

12. Absolutely right

What is your analysis of McCain's strategy, and which Dem can challenge it most effectively?

McCain is a boxer, if only by default. Enthusiasm is not his strong suit unless it's support for war. Do you think a better boxer can knock him out, or that only a judo assault can counter him? If Obama wins the Dem nomination, do you see the media continuing its support for a judo master when a boxer is on the other side?

[DURHAM D]

13. I agree - take it to them.

The Clintons will have an army behind them.

Has anyone heard if the debates are going to happen?

[blondeatlast]

14. (Jumping and yelling and applauding, jumping and yelling and applauding!)

EXCELLENT piece, just perfect.

knr (and posted in GD for more interest)

[Schema Thing]

15. She and Schuster will talk, one on one, makeup, she'll accept his apology

...and "be the bigger person" showing understanding of and allowing latitude for, common vernacular (after the big show, of course).


It will be a media coup for Hillary.

[blondeatlast]

16. See? It works. I'm not a HRC supporter and am tepid towards Obama, but

there's a lot to learn from Bill--and he knew how to handle the media.

[Schema Thing]

17. Obama supporter here, but this will be classic

lemonade from limes material.

[susankh4]

18. I may get flamed for this but....

Yes, there is alot to learn from Bill (and Hill) on how to handle media.

And that is one of the my top ten reasons why Barack will benefit from having Hill on his ticket... even if he does get the nomination. She will then be his fierce defender. Honestly... I'd relish the spector of the GOP trying to take that team down!

Good thread, BTW.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

20. Welcome to DU! That is my ideal ticket, as well. Where we have a hard time choosing because we

like them both, the R's had a hard time choosing because they didn't like any of them, except for the rabid Paul supporters.

:toast:

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. Yes, he absolutely did

Obama does as well.

[bigbrother05]

19. Spot on, have to understand the media

then use that to your own advantage. Whether it's counter punching or turning their momentum/biases against them, you can't take everything personally. The news/media has become a profit center and it's all about ad sales and viewership. If Clinton/Obama/McCain can get the most minutes they are ahead at that point. McCain was getting a lot of air time from the Mitt Quit news cycle and Shuster gave Clinton the perfect opportunity to change the message. Perfect for her, brings out all her preferred topics, woman/mother/minority/victim/fighter, and what are we talking about now? Obama did a similar thing with the earlier racial tinged slights, but used the surrogate/above it all approach, that's one of the reasons why BHO & HRC are the ones left standing, they have worked the media.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

23. But you know well, that MSNBC IS and WILL air Clinton as negatively as possible....

oh it will be subtle but, it is now (this AM) and will be happening at an alarming pace now.

Just this morning Russet started off the Schuster vendetta attack against Clinton. He had on 3 RW media hounds from Politico, The WP and (can't remember the other guest) all three praised up Obama's supporters and his campaign machine and denigrated Clinton's supporters and her machine.

It was no surprise for me.

The Left will NEVER have any influence nor control the RW Corporate owned media not unless some very very really wealthy liberal starts it's own network this will always remain the fact.

They will always frame the debate and tell people what to think.

The hand writing's on the wall.

[shimmergal]

27. In view of the small likelihood

of a liberal billionaire starting a new network, I suggest that we make common cause with supporters of _all_ candidates who've been majorly media-bashed and/or ignored, and figure out what other measures might be employed successfully--at least next time. Certainly this would include Ron Paul supporters as well as those of the several Dem candidates who've been ignored or minimized. Think, people, think... After all, elections are supposed to be about the people's choices, not those of loud-mouthed corporate shills.

[blondeatlast]

24. Smart posts fall fastest, so *kick.* nt

[shimmergal]

25. Excellent analysis, actually, but

may this Edwards enthusiast point out that before you can use either a carrot or a stick on the jackass, you have to minimally get its attention first. There's not much a candidate can do with an MSM which is DETERMINED not to cover him/her substantially, unless the candidate does something outrageous. And there's about a 95% chance of that backfiring.

In hindsight, it might have been better if Edwards had used Barrack's "change, hope, sunny days ahead" approach. It's one which fits his personality; he tried it in 2004 with some success. I don't know if he thought the voters were just fed up enough with the corporatocracy that taking it on straight out would work.

[onenote]

26. kick

[Hobarticus]

28. Hear hear!

Glad to see someone realizes that a fight with the media for proper decorum is not just one candidate's fight.

[comradebillyboy]

29. nice cogent analysis

Personally, I like seeing Clinton laying the smack down on these pompous celebrity journalists. Schuster has done some good work in the past but when he decides to pick a fight with Hillary Clinton by publicly insulting her and her daughter on national TV, he can expect a swift and brutal reaction from the Clinton camp. Hillary fights back and she fights to win. These media assholes need to be knocked off their high horses more often.

It did not take the brass at NBC very long to figure out who would win this particular fight.

[Sparkly]

30. I agree with most of this...

But I think it wasn't about Edwards not being able to hack it. I think there were other factors, including his familiarity from 2004 vs. the excitement people felt about Clinton and Obama.

And, I'd give Obama more credit. I think he or his campaign would fight back if the media offended him, as well. The difference may be that his surrogates and supporters do more of the fighting, while his tone stays lofty. (I'm thinking of the stupid smear some time ago, saying he wanted to teach kindergarteners about sex.)

Or maybe it's that the Clintons tend to get personal attacks, so they fight back personally and directly. I agree it's the thing to do. I think if an insult were made to Obama or his family, he'd fight back, too.

[grantcart]

31. I think the poster is taking a bottom line approach to the question

Edwards didn't get the media time so by definition he was unsuccessful in the 'hacking' sense. I was an Edwards supporter and love the guy but when some people try and say that the media is in control when Obama has hijacked the process and there are now tens of thousands of cultists jaming into stadiums all across the country and the Clinton dynasty is hanging on for dear life, I think its fair to say that the media is a force but not in control. To be successful you have to pierce thru and manage the media on a daily basis.

(Oh and by the way I am now with the cult and look forward to Pres Obama in Jan 09.)

[Sparkly]

32. Ohhh....

Well, I do agree Edwards was ignored by the media this time around! (Just as Clark was last time -- so I know how infuriating that is.)

I think the media loves to hate the Clintons, but on occasion it's backfired and helped HRC. I haven't heard anyone in the media saying Obama hijacked the process.

I agree they're influential but not everything. What somebody's neighbor or coworker or friend says to them probably carries more weight than what a talking head says on teevee.

[blondeatlast]

33. K nt