“Swiftboating,” Media Myths and the 2004 Campaign

Accuracy in Media Column ^ | 22 August 2008 | Scott Swett

[The Shrew]

The media’s ability to shape opinion derives from its power to slant the news―the pervasive activism known as “media bias”―and also from its power to choose what is and is not reported. But 2004 marked a watershed in American political history. That was the year the old media lost control of our national conversation.

[The Shrew]

Ping to a new Interesting Times article.

Please hit your ping lists.

Regards,

TS

[donna]

Good summary of events.

[mc5cents]

The old media’s own war against the Swift Vets still continues. New articles railing against the imagined evils of “swiftboating” are published nearly every day. The authors may choose to console themselves with convenient myths, but their ability to control what Americans know about candidates is gone forever.

Yes! All Hail FreeRepublic! We will NOT be controlled.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks. This is an expose on how the MSM is being defeated.

They are railing against it, but cannot stop it. it is happening again with Corsi and his Obama Nation book and the literally hundreds of sites and groups getting the truth out about Obama.

If you get a chance, check out my GEORGIA CONFLICT 2008 website.

I have the transcripts of every major comment by Bush, McCain, and Obama.

Despite the ways the press and the DNC , and obama and his campaign himself try to portray him...OPbama comes across very weak as a leader any time it counts.

[weegee]

Help help!

Obama's being Weathermanned!!!

[lormand]

I see three main myths propagated by liberals and their accomplices in the media.

1) George Bush stole the election in 2000
2) George Bush was responsible for New Orleans/Katrina
3) "Swiftboating" is lying about your opponent

Of course there is also, "republicans are only for the rich", "man causing global warming"....etc

[bpjam]

sweet.....

[Turret Gunner A20]

PING

[weegee]

Don’t forget the spin on “McCarthyism”.

When a tactic is used against a conservative, it is named for the victim (Borking) rather than the agressor (Kennedyism).

[Red Badger]

“republicans are only for the rich”.....whenever I hear that I usually reply to the person that “The Democrats are for the poor.” To which they say, “Damned right!” or some such, to which I reply, “...and they BOTH want to make as many of us like them as possible.”...which is usually met with a “deer in the headlights” stare........

[The Shrew]

I see three main myths propagated by liberals and their accomplices in the media.

1) George Bush stole the election in 2000
2) George Bush was responsible for New Orleans/Katrina
3) "Swiftboating" is lying about your opponent

Of course there is also, "republicans are only for the rich", "man causing global warming"....etc

That's a great post! Except I would change #3 to:

3) "Swiftboating" is lying about a democrat.

Thanks.

TS

[Baynative]

"The media’s ability to shape opinion derives from its power to slant the news―the pervasive activism known as “media bias”―and also from its power to choose what is and is not reported. But 2004 marked a watershed in American political history. That was the year the old media lost control of our national conversation."

Whatever control the media lost they got back when they flexed their muscle to: derail the campaign of George Allen over the word Macaca, derail the campaign of Mitt Romney by attacking his religion even though much of America has no idea of Mormon philosophy and finally creating a viable candidacy for Barack Obama who is probably the least qualified of any contenders this century.

[weegee]

Democrats are the party of the rich these days.

Think Ted Kennedy, who is FOR the estate tax, is going to surrender his estate to the government when he croaks or do you suspect that he’s using some shelters for his money?

They like the appearance of being FOR the poor. Really they just want to keep them from ever being able to get rich. Old money hates new money.

[weegee]

The double standard is that the media demonized Mitt Romney STRICTLY because he was a Mormon yet there has been little media discussion of Harry Reid’s own Mormonism. A few heartbeats away from the Presidency.

[lormand]

The richest districts in America are represented by liberals in Congress.

[Turret Gunner A20]

The double standard is that the media demonized Mitt Romney STRICTLY because he was a Mormon yet there has been little media discussion of Harry Reid’s own Mormonism. A few heartbeats away from the Presidency.

That bigotted hypocricy is not monopoliced by the media or the democrats -- you don't have to go very far to find a whole lot of it.

[Bob J]

Scott’s on a roll!

[Interesting Times]

A “swiftboating” ping, with my apologies to those who were already contacted via a previous list.

[Interesting Times]

Whatever control the media lost they got back when they flexed their muscle to...

The old media still has considerable influence. However, it no longer controls what topics become matters of national discussion. Hillary's "sniper" debacle and Jeremiah Wright's rantings are two recent topics the MSM would simply have buried a decade ago.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[calcowgirl]

Excellent!

Bump!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[The Shrew]

The old media still has considerable influence. However, it no longer controls what topics become matters of national discussion. Hillary's "sniper" debacle and Jeremiah Wright's rantings are two recent topics the MSM would simply have buried a decade ago.

I think this is such a wonderful point. People think the 2004 election is ancient history, but it really is a watershed event.

The more I think about what has happened to the media the more I want to ask, "How much did they lie to us in the past? How many stories didn't they cover?" It is heart-rending and maddening to think of the lives lost and the treasure spent because of how the stories were reported or ignored.

Regards,

TS

[editor-surveyor]

Thanks for the ping.

‘Swiftboating’ indeed!

[zot]

Thanks for this excellent article. I’m glad you are continuing to set the record straight in the media war.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

Thanks for the ping....I was a proud supporter of the Swifties because I know kerry was a lying POS...I was there and know his claims have no validity!