October 22, 2004
Real Clear Possibilities
What is the pulse of the nation? Does anyone really seem to have a clue? This election seems to be shapping up to be as close as 2000 (electoral votes 271 – 266). Or is it? There is a distinct possibility that we will we be revisting 1984 (electoral votes 525 – 13).
How could this be possible? Ask Dick Morris, Zell Miller, Ron Silver & Ed Koch. All democrats, all voting to re-elect President Bush. They have been able to resist the urge to fall in line with the media’s natural tendencies towards liberalism.
Newsweek Big: Media Bias Worth 15 Points for Kerry-Edwards
"Let’s talk a little media bias here," Newsweek's assistant managing editor Evan Thomas told PBS's "Inside Washington" last week, reports Sunday's New York Post.
"The media, I think, want Kerry to win. And I think they’re going to portray Kerry and Edwards - I’m talking about the establishment media, not Fox, but - they’re going to portray Kerry and Edwards as being young and dynamic and optimistic and all, there’s going to be this glow about them that some, is going to be worth, collectively, the two of them, that’s going to be worth maybe 15 points.”
Newsweek's Thomas Reaffirms Media "Absolutely" Want Kerry to Win
Newsweek's Evan Thomas, who in July acknowledged that the media "want Kerry to win" and "that's going to be worth maybe 15 points" for the Kerry-Edwards ticket, on Sunday reaffirmed his belief that most reporters "absolutely" want Kerry to win, but on CNN's Reliable Sources he argued that his 15 point estimation was a "stupid thing to say."
CNN RELIABLE SOURCES
Coverage of Third Presidential Debate; Should FCC Stop Sinclair From Broadcasting Anti-Kerry Film? Transcript
EVAN THOMAS: I think the mainstream media doesn't trust its instincts anymore. I mean, I think they feel cut off from the rest of the country. And when I talk to reporters, I was surprised at how often I hear, you know, I don't really know. I mean, I have my own views, but I don't know how they're reading it out there.
HOWARD KURTZ: Well, it is a tight race. But do you believe that most reporters want John Kerry to win?
THOMAS: Yeah. Absolutely.
KURTZ: Do you think they're deliberately tilting their coverage to help John Kerry and John Edwards?
THOMAS: Not really.
KURTZ: Subconsciously tilting their coverage?
THOMAS: Maybe.
KURTZ: Maybe?
THOMAS: Maybe.
KURTZ: Including in "Newsweek?"
THOMAS: Yeah.
KURTZ: You've said on the program "Inside Washington" that because of the portrayal of Kerry and Edwards as young and dynamic and optimistic, that's worth maybe 15 points. That would suggest...
THOMAS: Stupid thing to say. It was completely wrong. But I do think that -- I do think that the mainstream press, I'm not talking about the blogs and Rush and all that, but the mainstream press favors Kerry. I don't think it's worth 15 points. That was just a stupid thing to say.
KURTZ: Is it worth 5 points?
THOMAS: Maybe, maybe.
KURTZ: Is he admitting what journalists believe privately?
What is the effect that this could/should have on the polls? Is a more accurate depiction of the pulse of the nation to remove the bias not only in their reporting, but in their polls and in the hearts of most of America? We can't assume this helps President Bush, but it sure hurts Senator Kerry!
RealClearPolitics Poll Average
3-Way Race: Bush/Cheney vs Kerry/Edwards vs Nader/Camejo
|
Poll |
Date |
Bush/ |
Kerry/ |
Nader/ |
Spread |
|
RCP
Average |
10/14
- 10/21 |
48.5% |
45.7% |
1.5% |
Bush
+2.8 |
|
+15
for Bush |
|
63.5% |
30.7% |
1.5% |
Bush +32.8 |
|
+5
for Bush |
|
53.5 |
40.7% |
1.5% |
Bush +12.8 |
|
+15
for Nader |
|
48.5% |
30.7% |
16.5% |
Bush +17.8 |
|
+5
for Nader |
|
48.5% |
40.7% |
6.5% |
Bush +7.8 |
