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Obama's Soviet-style Press Relations
AOL News ^ | February 26, 2008 | Greg McNeilly

Posted on 03/11/2008 5:01:20 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts

Obama's Soviet-style Press Relations

By Greg McNeilly

Feb 26th 2008 4:08PM

Barack Obama's message has included "openness" from net neutrality to the government's relations with the public. He speaks of a new open era. But if his conduct, as a candidate, is a prelude to governance, then Obama's rhetoric is a sham and he'll be a hypocrite.

The Politico reports today on the state of media openness with the Obama campaign. They compare his campaigning to the the 2000 campaign of then-Governor George W. Bush and the 2004 campaign of U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA). Bypassing the national media for local coverage, often with very little substance, Obama holds 6-12 daily local press availabilities but only an average of two a week for the seasoned national press corp.

This is controlled, safe and secret approach to media is in stark contrast to Hillary Clinton or John McCain. The later two don't duck the press and are often freely available on a daily basis for interaction and observation.

The Politico also reports that Obama is so controlling he won't allow reporters to travel among the crowds at an Obama rally without staff escorts. Journalists covering the former U.S.S.R. will recognize this tactic.

And the secretive candidate is only becoming more so, reports The Politico:

"Around the Super Tuesday primary elections on Feb. 5, the barriers around the press area at Obama events went from easily penetrable, fabric rope lines to interlocking metal gates manned by vigilant gatekeepers."

I can't deny this is an effective message-control. Which is, of course, is another way of saying manipulation. While getting the short-term impact Obama wants, one wonder's the deeper message this sends. Clearly, this is old school style politics.

There is nothing new, hopeful and certainly not open nor transparent in this approach.

Obama defenders may want to reflect for a moment on this sad set of tactics and demand more from the candidate they harbor so much hope for...after all...deeds can speak louder than words.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: barackhusseinobama; barackobama; freepress; hussein; nobama; obama; obama2008; sovietunion; stalinisttactics; starkravingsocialism; thehopeformoredope; themadnessofcrowds; ussar
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1 posted on 03/11/2008 5:01:21 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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To: GodGunsGuts

FOX News Projects Barack Obama the Winner of Mississippi’s Democratic Primary


2 posted on 03/11/2008 5:02:30 PM PDT by RDTF (Go AEGIS!)
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To: GodGunsGuts

But if his conduct, as a candidate, is a prelude to governance, then Obama’s rhetoric is a sham and he’ll be a hypocrite.
:::::::
Like any good liberal socialist liar. They all are. It is the way they dupe the mindless libs that vote for them.


3 posted on 03/11/2008 5:06:10 PM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: GodGunsGuts
Bypassing the national media for local coverage, often with very little substance, Obama holds 6-12 daily local press availabilities but only an average of two a week for the seasoned national press corp.

He has figured out how to get past the national media monopoly. He's not waiting to try and win them over from Clinton, he is bypassing them. Smart move. We need to do the same.

"Around the Super Tuesday primary elections on Feb. 5, the barriers around the press area at Obama events went from easily penetrable, fabric rope lines to interlocking metal gates manned by vigilant gatekeepers."

We've been saying here, ever since he started to run away with it, that he needed to seriously step up his security. He is up against the Clintons, and Clinton politics is a contact sport.

4 posted on 03/11/2008 5:13:28 PM PDT by marron
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To: GodGunsGuts
Sounds like the Big Man is emerging to take control of his tribe.

Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, Mao Tse-Tung, Gen. Sani Abacha, Idi Amin Dada, Robert Mugabe...

Same thing. Same guys.

5 posted on 03/11/2008 5:13:49 PM PDT by Regulator
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To: GodGunsGuts
They compare his campaigning to the the 2000 campaign of then-Governor George W. Bush and the 2004 campaign of U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA).

I didn't read the piece on Politico. So what do they say? GWB campaigns were famous for 'stick-to-the-message' style, but were they very secretive and avoiding the press as well?

6 posted on 03/11/2008 5:13:58 PM PDT by paudio (Conservatism: like it or not, it's a word with multiple meanings.)
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To: GodGunsGuts

Hey, what ever happened to the fainters??


7 posted on 03/11/2008 5:13:59 PM PDT by Shermy
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To: GodGunsGuts
FEARLESS LEADER walks and talks like a true Red and he loves the look:

Dear Shephard

I would like to thank you for using your talent in support of my campaign. the political messages involved in your work have encouraged Americans to believe they can help change the status quo.

Your images have a profound effect on people, whether seen in an art gallery or (seen) on a stop sign. I am priviledged to be a part of your artwork and proud to have your support. I wish you continued success and creativity.

Sincerely

Barack (Hussein) Obama


8 posted on 03/11/2008 5:16:38 PM PDT by weegee (I hold out HOPE that neither Obama or Clinton will get the office to push thru their Marxist plans.)
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To: weegee

OBEY THE OBAMESSIAH!

Geez that “art” is creepy.


9 posted on 03/11/2008 5:22:09 PM PDT by hawkboy
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To: paudio
I haven't read the Politico piece. And seeing how Bush isn't running for reelection, I didn't even bother thinking about it. What interests me most is what may be motivating Obama to exercise EXTREME caution with respect to the press. What's he afraid of? Well, I know quite a bit about what he's afraid of, but I am left wondering WHAT ELSE HE'S AFRAID OF!
10 posted on 03/11/2008 5:29:34 PM PDT by GodGunsGuts
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Comment #11 Removed by Moderator

To: Shermy

In storage with the cackle.


12 posted on 03/11/2008 5:32:13 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: GodGunsGuts

13 posted on 03/11/2008 5:32:18 PM PDT by ATOMIC_PUNK (http://eaglecooler.wordpress.com/)
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To: hawkboy

Fascism is denounced. Including “Republican fascism” of Bush and FR (just check the so called “anti-fascist” sites call us that).

But Communism is NOT denounced. Neither is Socialism. The Red Menace is rebranded a “Red Scare”.

Except that everyone understands just what rotten Socialists in the US, UK, Spain, etc. he was talking about when he wrote Animal Farm and 1984 about the vile Stalinists who would never criticize Uncle Joe or the USSR but had no good words for Western civiliation. 1984 and Animal Farm aren’t considered “propaganda”. But they trumpet the same warning.

Communism kills. Che sucks.

These turkeys are horrible people.


14 posted on 03/11/2008 5:33:08 PM PDT by weegee (I hold out HOPE that neither Obama or Clinton will get the office to push thru their Marxist plans.)
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To: weegee

That “political artwork” is anarchosyndicalist propaganda...


15 posted on 03/11/2008 5:40:20 PM PDT by oblomov
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To: oblomov

“Obama holds 6-12 daily local press availabilities but only an average of two a week for the seasoned national press corp.”

“Seasoned”? Obama is smart. “Biased” would be more accurate.
If you want fair press coverage, going local at least gives ou a shot at it.


16 posted on 03/11/2008 5:44:34 PM PDT by CondorFlight (I)
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To: oblomov

The public was told that the Che-Cuban flags at Obama’s Houston office were a “fluke”.


17 posted on 03/11/2008 5:47:18 PM PDT by weegee (I hold out HOPE that neither Obama or Clinton will get the office to push thru their Marxist plans.)
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To: CondorFlight

Obama ran off the stage when his “8 question” limit had been reached.

The Emperor wears no clothes.


18 posted on 03/11/2008 5:48:09 PM PDT by weegee (I hold out HOPE that neither Obama or Clinton will get the office to push thru their Marxist plans.)
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To: GodGunsGuts

Ha!

That’s not all that’s Soviet style about Obama!

Check out his policies!


19 posted on 03/11/2008 6:06:41 PM PDT by G Larry (HILLARY CARE = DYING IN LINE!)
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To: weegee

I have the 9th question: what about Larry Sinclair, Barack?


20 posted on 03/11/2008 6:10:11 PM PDT by IreneE (Live for nothing or die for something.)
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