Media bias has been the only thing predictable this election cycle so I’m not exactly sure why I am still appalled and surprised at the what’s going on at ABC today. Not only is ABC running an anti-clinton hit piece on Good Morning America and the front page of their website, trotting out a nearly 20 year old story regarding Hillary Clinton’s time at Wal*Mart, but also above it in bright glowing red letters reads the ticker heading BREAKING NEWS: BARACK OBAMA RAISED $32 MILLION IN JANUARY, TOPPING WHAT HE HAS RAISED IN A SINGLE MONTH DURING THE COURSE OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN.
I wish I had the access to a screen cap because you can almost see the webpage equivalent to an anthropomorphized smirk in the layout. No doubt, both the Obama campaign and some network producers are chuckling. Conspicuously absent, is any mention of the fact that the Hillary hit piece is not only 20 years old but has also already been ran more than once during the last two years and in this campaign cycle. I guess you keep slinging until it sticks.
The story in question aligns perfectly with the slam Obama made at the South Carolina debate. It minimizes the fact that Hillary spent at least some of her time at Wal*Mart advocating for women and better environmental practices along with pretty much anything that might be regarded as a positive influence her presence might have had on the company’s business practices.
Such as:
Clinton proved to be such a thorn in Walton’s side that at Wal-Mart’s annual meeting in 1987, when shareholders challenged Walton on the company’s lack of female managers, he assured them the record was improving ‘’now that we have a strong-willed young lady on the board.”
Clinton was particularly vocal on environmental matters, pressing the company to boost its sale and use of recycled materials and other ‘’green” products.
Among other things, Hillary Clinton sought Walton’s help in 1983 for Bill Clinton’s so-called Blue Ribbon Commission on Education, a major effort to improve Arkansas’ troubled public schools. The overhaul became a centerpiece of Clinton’s governorship.
And Wal-Mart’s Made in America campaign, which for years touted the company’s sales of American products in its stores, was launched after Bill Clinton persuaded Walton to help save 200 jobs at an Arkansas shirt manufacturing plant. The Made in America campaign has virtually vanished in recent years, as the company’s manufacturing has gradually moved overseas — another point of criticism by many Wal-Mart critics.
But perhaps, the most important factors it omits is that this was a different time in America and Wal*Mart was a much different company than the one it has grown into. It seems especially hypocritical given the fact that while Barack Obama was jumping on the anti-Wal*Mart bandwagon and actively condemning its practices in 2006 his wife was sitting on the board of Treehouse. Michelle Obama didn’t resign until her husband began to be called out for it.
The news coverage for the past few months makes any rational observer wonder why the media is doing Obama’s dirty work for him. Why is ABC, CNN, and MSNBC pushing us so hard to nominate Obama? Trying to sort out the answer to that is enough to drive one batty. It’s gotten so bad that if you read the comments on the ABC piece even Obama supporters are objecting. I’ve also heard concerns coming from Obama supporters in real life.
It doesn’t take much to figure out that the Wal*Mart piece is designed to bring over newly homeless Edwards supporters such as myself and to try and chip away at heavily pro-union latinos. That said, those of us that have been marginalized and sidelined by the paring down of this race to a two person show have been watching the bias from the beginning.
So I send out a plea to my fellow former Edwards supporters, independents, and undecideds: study the issues, watch the debate tonight, and make up your own mind. They’ve narrowed our choices this far. Do not let them tell you who to vote for with skewed coverage, hit pieces, and biased commentary.
We’re on our own in this election and we can make up our minds just fine without them.
I can’t remember where I read it, but someone said it’s almost too bad the MSM isn’t all like Fox News. At least you know Fox is the propaganda arm of the GOP. They make no secret of it. But ABC, CNN, NBC, etc., well, they claim objectivity but are really just sneakier about their biases.
Why do the media hate Clinton? Why do they love Obama? I’m not sure. I’m still trying to figure out why they love that cranky old bastard McCain so much. Is it access? Personal grudges? Who knows, but you’re right — you can’t believe the spin. You have to check it out for yourself and make up your own mind.
Well, I’m not sure why they hate Clinton although I have theories that align with many of the reasons you’ve listed. I also think there’s a class issue involved related to Bubba. However, I think the love for Obama is easier to explain. He’s new, fresh, a good speech maker and in opposition to Clinton. He’s also got a good deal of charisma even though I personally don’t see the amount of charm people attribute to him.