All of this hurts Democrats far more than they know. To the extent that they pay attention to their media coverage, they are cut off from the mainstream of society without even realizing it, implicitly believing that Peoria thinks like the New York Times. Indeed, since the Times has become a virtual newsletter for the Democratic party, it surely deserves some of the blame for the Democrats' 25-year trend from dominant political party to what looks like long-term minority status.
Excellent column. Good post.
The problem starts with the rules of entertainment which journalism follows in order to be profitable.- tell a new story (meet your deadline=the show must go on)That adds up to negative, superficial, anticonservatism. Liberal politicians learn that anticonservatism from journalism--and then play that tape back to journalism. There is no reason why there would not be a revolving door between journalism and liberal politics.- tell an unusual story (i.e., one in which the Republican is untrustworthy)
- tell a scary story
There is no reason for talk radio apart from that propaganda axis. And no need at all for anticonservative talk radio. The anticonservative propaganda niche is completely filled by journalism itself.