How does (or did) the press manage to keep control over the message? By controlling who was allowed to be the messenger. Anybody can apply for the job.
Absolutely.
Some state parties have completely corrupted the vote.
.0114 - 4% vote participation from caucus states that are tightly controlled.
.0000001 of the population are contributed millions to buy an election.
Wealthy foreigners and global financiers are supporting our candidates.
The press over reports, under reports and redefines the message every day.
In an election year where the theme is “replace the status quo” and total disgust with our system it is beyond me how states can either disregard the votes of the people and pledge delagates to another candidate or not even have a primary vote! Not only does it give the appearance of impropriety, its a big F... Y.. to their constituents and rejects the mood of the country’s body politic. I was a Cruz supporter until he embraced the GOPe and adopted a win at all costs attitude. Reminds me of Pete Townsend’s lyric...Meet the new Boss, same as the old Boss.
“How does (or did) the press manage to keep control over the message? By controlling who was allowed to be the messenger.”
The story behind all the stories is the press. Their influence may be the biggest “rigging” of the system we have.
The old Soviet Union pretty much had a one party press. (There were western broadcasts and perhaps other subversive sources). The United States pretty much has a one party press also. Ours may be more powerful as they falsely claim objectivity.