Yeah I agree this is at least in part if the in whole a media drive by to try to get a liberal pope. I pray that we get another John Paul II.
Pssst! ... They don't.
"The media smear begins against one of the most conservative of the cardinals."
The MSM is delusional. They think they can influence everything, everyone, everytime -- even the election of a Pope. Unbelievable!
How exactly is it a 'smear'? It's the truth isn't it? He was a Hitler youth, apparently returned home, and was drafted into the regular German army. Mind you, it says he deserted towards the end. But it's not like anything the media says will have an effect on the vote anyway.
I don't care one way or the other as I'm not Catholic. But shouldn't historical fact be presented just for knowledge? From the betting though, I've seen his numbers may be cooling a bit as he's too strong at the first. And I came close to betting on him as the choice.
It remains to be seen just how much influence they truly have. The media is certainly trying hard to be influential in the situation. We will have to see the final vote tally before we can say anything about their actual influence.