MyDD :: Clinton attacked by "journalists" on left and right.

Clinton attacked by "journalists" on left and right.

by ottovbvs, Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:03:59 AM EST

It's interesting to surf the outpourings of opinionaters on the left and right over the past few months and see what they are saying about Clinton. The role of honor includes Kristol, Dowd, Krauthammer, Herbert, Broder, Rich, Will, Noonan, Brooks, Robinson, Corns and Barnes to name but a few. So what's going on here. It can't be issues of policy or competence or they'd be disagreeing violently since they come from opposite ends of the political spectrum. So if it's not that is it some much more petty and self interested reasons that have nothing to do with Clinton's qualifications for the presidency or the national interest for that matter.

What is it. Spite, jealousy, petty mindedness, misogyny, generating faux controversies, bitterness, alchohol problems, hysteria, any suggestions?

Ironically I think these people are digging their own graves. The decline in the prestige of the pundit classes from forty years ago has been immense. Back in sixties and seventies if a Lippman or a Reston wrote a column people, including politicians, paid attention. I can't think of a single columnist who enjoys that credibility today.

We had a great demonstration of how this media bias against Clinton backfired in NH with buffoons like Matthews having to apologize although he seems to be back to the same old Shtick. But as "journalists" like Dowd and Will further devalue the currency of their own punditry they are surely hastening the demise of the printed newspaper.

Tags: Broder, Clinton, Dowd, Brooks, Kristol (all tags)

Permalink :: 16 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: Clinton attacked by "journalists" (2.00 / 1)

I personally have lost interest in figuring out why the press hates Hillary. At this point it's as predictable as the sun coming up in the east.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:31:53 AM EST

Re: Clinton attacked by (2.00 / 1)

hell has frozen over. Welcome to seeing the light

vote blue in 2008

by sepulvedaj3 on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:41:57 AM EST

Clinton attacked by journalists on left and right. (2.00 / 1)

-Spite, jealousy, petty mindedness, misogyny, generating faux controversies, bitterness, alchohol problems, hysteria

All the above ottovbus.

by lonnette33 on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 11:43:29 AM EST

Re: Clinton attacked by "journalists" (none / 0)

Dan Abrams on MSNBC has done a few segments on Hillary not being treated fairly by the press. For one the Clintons are looked at as old news, and Obama is the fresher story that could sell more newspapers down the road. Another factor is that the Clintons supposedly have not been the most open with the media, controlling information strictly, shutting certain reporters out. Third there's just an intense dislike of Hillary and Bill in certain segments of the media, mostly right wing, but including supposedly left leaning ones like that hack Moureen Dowd (is she even a progressive, I don't see it).

Many in the press don't look forward to covering 4 to 8 years more of the Clintons. Now that's their problem, not ours. If Hillary wins the nominations she will have done it with the press against her and she will have trully earned it. When Obama wins South Carolina watch the press try to spin him as the front runner. Watch them try their best to ignore Hillary's landslide win in Florida three days later. It's a game to a lot of them, plain and simple.

by Christopher Lib on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:22:06 PM EST

Re: Clinton attacked by "journalists" (none / 0)

The funniest clip from the campaign trail yesterday was some video Mark Halpern shot with Bill Clinton in a restaurant. Halpern recognized Bill Clinton's long-term assistant walking with him and shouted, "Does this bring back memories of 1992?"

The assistant smiled at Halperin and said, "It sure does, Mark. I've been reading your stories..."

OUCH. That'll leave a mark.

by hwc on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:27:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton attacked by "journalists" (none / 0)

Third there's just an intense dislike of Hillary and Bill in certain segments of the media, mostly right wing, but including supposedly left leaning ones like that hack Moureen Dowd (is she even a progressive, I don't see it).

Timmy Russert's wife explained the hatred of Hillary Clinton in a major Vanity Fair article a month or so ago. It all comes down to this: the Clintons are responsible for the decline of the Georgetown Social Scene. It's Hillary's fault that nobody has fingerbowls at their dinner tables anymore because the rubes took over Washington.

She complains that, although Hillary entertains constantly in Washington, she never entertains the beautiful people (like Pumpkinhead Russert or drooling misogynist Chris Matthews). Instead she invites diplomats, think tankers, and - my gawd - POLICY experts for dinner. Or spends her time socializing with key Democratic Party constituents and movers and shakers. Russert's wife shockingly proclaimed that Hillary has ONLY INVITED SALLY QUINN TO DINNER TWICE since she's been in the Senate. And for this, she must pay.

by hwc on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:34:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Clint would gain from taking on beautiful people (none / 0)

There's a huge animus against the press who are increasingly being bracketed with Paris Hilton and Britney. I don't think they get it. If they indulge in a McCain droolfest she should do it.

by ottovbvs on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:45:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Clinton attacked by "journalists" (none / 0)

This goes way back to Carter having peanuts and pretzels at the inaugural ball. How happy the media was when Reagan came along and restored "real class" to the capital.

Mind you, if all it takes to get favorable press coverage is to serve these people shrimp cocktail, maybe we ought to just catch on.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:50:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You have to remember they all value WH invites. (none / 0)

These guys have wives, girlfriends, mistresses who like to go to fancy parties around Washington. That's one of the key reasons they've gone easy on Dubya. I have a feeling there aren't going to be a lot of cards on Tweety's mantelpiece if Clinton is elected.

by ottovbvs on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 01:03:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

The short answer is: (none / 0)

Hillary Clinton sells papers.

Her appearance on Meet the Press last week was Ol' Pumpkinhead Russert's highest rated show in three years.

Clinton has been the focus of the election coverage since day one because she's an iconic pop culture figure who transcends political coverage.

by hwc on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:25:18 PM EST

I watched MTP with Hillary. (none / 0)

Interesting it got record viewing. Part is voyeurism by those hoping she'll be humiliated. A pal of mine in Atlanta, strong Republican, but respects Hillary says that is the attitude in his circle. Then they watch her, and say OMG she's good. Russert's starting to over reach with his Gotcha shtick. She ran rings around him.

by ottovbvs on Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 12:41:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I watched MTP with Hillary. (none / 0)