Hot Air And Grasping At Straws
By Steve Hynd Friday Oct 31, 2008 6:45pmBriebart today ran an AFP article with the misleading headline "US election: If Iraqis could vote it would be for McCain". I say misleading because it mentions in its first few paras exactly three Iraqis who prefer McCain - and in its last paras mentions two who prefer Obama.That's hardly all or even a representative sample of all Iraqis. That hasn't stopped a couple of rightwing bloggers grasping at straws - including Ed Morrissey, who continues his downward spiral of judgement at Hot Air and who I don't think would ever have linked such thin gruel at Captain's Quarters. Ed can count, but he chose not to mention the small sample size to his click-shy readers.
FWIW, back in July, Reuters did much the same thing in reverse. They interviewed two dozen Iraqis and came to the conclusion that Iraqis liked Obama better than McCain because "a black man would understand their plight." (Something only one of the seven quotes they printed even mentioned.) Back then, an Obama story was the one the media wanted to tell, coming off his close-run and exhaustingly covered primary contest with Clinton they needed to make it seem like Obama vs McCain was a real step up, not down, in tension and expectations. Now, they need to do build McCain again to make for an interesting nailbiter of a finish.
What it comes down to is that the media want a close horse-race because that sells better than a romp-home landslide victory. The news networks have been worrying what they're going to do election night if it's all over by teatime so they've been very relieved that McCain has been telling them that there'll be an upset in a close race and everyone's going to be up late watching election coverage.
That explains, entirely, the media push to describe McCain as closing the gap - which every indicator except some hyped outlier polls says he isn't, he's just solidifying his base support. It explains ridiculous speculation like whether or not Osama bin Laden will endorse a candidate, and whether he or AQ in general will actually mean it if he does. McCain's meant to be stronger on foreign policy -especially Iraq and the "War on Terror", so they're hyping these stories.
There'll be more of this kind of nonsense as the last few days tick by, and the media frantically tries to spin the story as one they think they can sell more of. Remember, because of the collapse of Voter News Service, the networks will be relying solely on AP exit poll data for Elections 2008. That's Ron Fournier in charge of what the networks will report, in other words. So even after the voting is over, we're likely to see a last run of hype about a close-run race.
But don't panic - Obama's got this.
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Crossposted from Newshoggers
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CoIntelPro.PronktasticlyAgainst.SCLM.E-Voting.Incumbents
If Iraqis could vote, it would be to kick us the hell out of their country.
you said it
Taarak
Very well said. It is extremely doubtful if the Iraqi people will be at all enthusiastic for a President Obama who is in favor of keeping not only as many as 50,000 troops in their country but also 100,000 civilian contractors which would include the infamous para military organization Blackwater. It is also highly unlikely that al-Qaeda is enthusiastic about Obama becoming president as they realize that he, like McCain, has no real desire to send U.S. forces packing back to their own country nor does he have any intention upon dismantling the permanent bases that the U.S. has constructed in Iraq.
The depressing thing is that this is the person whom so many people believe will offer, to use one of Obama's favorite words, hope. It would be quite implausible to believe that the Iraqi people [as well as the Afghans and the Pakistanis] think that Obama gives their lives much hope if he is to become president.
Yes but mc same's 'Got us right where he wants us!' Winning?...thanks john.
you went and did it.
overconfidence is a curse... can lead to complacency...
especially when dealing with this band of liars and theives...
I think it's safe to say the world can sit back and relax and expect Obama to win. American voters whose duty it is to make that happen can't afford that luxury.
I agree the media wants the profitable horse race so they hype up McCain's chances. Naive conservative pundits are brought on to cheer him on with wishful thinking, though more and more I hear them conceding to Obama.
to act like they are behind, then blow away McReP
alinulsive with a landslide victory bringing in 60+ democrats a la Geiger.CoIntelPro.PronktasticlyAgainst.SCLM.E-Voting.Incumbents
who cares who the rest of the world would vote for?? Didn't they accuse Obama of being a citizen of the (as if that was a bad thing!) when he spoke in Germany?
http://iftheworldcouldvote.com/results
I have friends who came in from the UK this week just for the elections. They are so hopeful that he will win that they wanted to be here if (when!!) it happens.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdBsv0uCT0c
Enjoy - and please pass it on particularly to any undecided voters (huh?) you might know. Thanks!
...perhaps after McCain and Miss Sarah get a good ol' fashioned ass-whoopin' on Tuesday, they might like to try their luck running for office over in Iraq, or maybe Afghanistan.
As McCain say he knows how to "win wars" they might be happy to have him - so he could kick our butts out of their country! And, we could use those billions of dollars we waste there every month on educaion. healthcare, green energy, etc.etc.etc.
For a guy who "knows how to win wars", he crashed 5 planes and was then a POW. And then the USA LOST.
I file that bit of data along with, "he knows how to get Osama bin Laden". He's been waiting till he's president to share that secret: true patriot that he is, he's shielding "public enemy #1". (??)
OMG, I hadn't even thought of that.
If the Rethugs ever had a massive election theft in mind, this would be a perfect storm:
1. Some superficial tightening in the race, allowing for media hyper-spin
2. Republican extremists in charge of a large chunk of the vote recording and/or counting system.
3. A hyperpartisan hack in charge of exit poll reporting, with no means of verification.
4. A multi-pronged system of wide-spread voter suppression, combined with a hyped-up phony story about ACORN "voter fraud".
5. An entire division on stand-by in the US for "riot control" on election night.
Call me a tin-foil paranoid, if you like. I don't expect the worst, but the confluence of circumstances is certainly enough to make me think about it.
is the latest incarnation of the vote stealing so called private company that calls the election for the MSM.
They keep changing its name after each stolen election to confuse people.
Its too hard for the Federals to actually tally the vote for the American public, so they outsource to some Repug biased outfit.
To counter the possible theft, lawyer, observers and voters have to be on 101% guard and call out every irregularity.
Then it may have to go to the courts for resolution.
I suggest if AP try and steal the election, everybody (including journalists, newspapers) boycotts them, make them a pariah and force them out of business.
Does they value their profits and their future above WcCain's feeble attempt.
This is America's and the people's election not APs.
I agree, the media's hype of that which does not exist in order to make a story for themselves can in fact cause Obama supporters to get lazy or discouraged and stay home. Or shaky "me too"ers to decide to swing over the other side.
I really think the wingnuts have been gearing up provide the press with enough fodder and fluff to distract from illegal and questionable activities at the polling booth as well.
THIS TIME it will be the REPUgs who cry foul. You watch FOXNEWS on Teusday nite,and watch Them 'report' voter fraud. 'a national crises!' watch and learn
all those black felons voting will send fux screaming for 'just us'!
It might be worth watching. See how they like the next 8 years. They won't have a hotline to the Oval Office.
If i didn't know better,I'd think you're working for THEM . heh
... The only thing we can do is everything possible to win by more than they can steal.
That is, and always has been my philosophy in responding to the efforts of Republicans to steal elections, and I actually did include that statement in a similar post elsewhere.
I've never believed their activities made working against them pointless. On the contrary, it means we have to work harder, that's all.
I've seen others make the argument that talking about election fraud was harmful, because it discouraged activism. If it does, I have as much of a problem with those would-be activists as I do with the thieves.
Four days ago, terrorists ENDORSED John Sidney McCain and Sarah 'fundie' Palin, they think he (and she) are the best way forward, he is the one to keep the war going.
And its not satire, but the blinding Republican truth.
You know the taint of a fellow by the friends he keeps.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/opinion/26k...
If they endorse Obama!
I'm panicked. I believe nothing and have no confidence since the bungling and fraud of the last two elections. Over confidence does indeed quite often precede loss. Too close to the summit now to sit down on a rock, save your canteen for when we get to the goal. The water tastes much sweeter once you've gotten there.
But don't panic - Obama's got this.
There's no reason to panic, and it's still Obama's to lose, but let's not say he's "got this."
McCain can still pull this off. If Maine splits, and somehow Virginia and Colorado come out just slightly for McCain, Obama could easily lose.
This is a fight to the finish. We're in better shape than we've been for a long time, and there is a possibility of an Obama blow-out, but it's just a possibility.
CoIntelPro.PronktasticlyAgainst.SCLM.E-Voting.Incumbents
Or at least an idea to toss into the mix . . . .
Have us all vote on clear ballot forms.
Then, the day after all votes have been cast, each precinct (or other subdivision) should hold its own public count. The ballots will be placed, one-by-one, on an overhead projector for the press and any member of the public who would like to watch, and counted out accordingly. Challenges can be made and recorded then and there.
After each precinct has tallied its totals, it will submit its number to its respective state, and the numbers will be totaled. Each precinct's tally and the total for the state will be publicly printed in newspapers and on the internet.
It would take a few months, but who cares? It's that god damned important, and there's no reason we can't wait a while to know who won. The inauguration isn't until January anyway.
or toes?
CoIntelPro.PronktasticlyAgainst.SCLM.E-Voting.Incumbents
Gee Karen, the time that would take would take us into next year. And who would take THAT for more than 10 minutes? ZZZZZZzzzzzzzz
Don't know if anyone will care, but Studs Terkel died today. I was saddened and will have a drink for him tonight.
The best way to show the world that democracy works to improve people's lives, is to vote in Obama. On the other hand, voting in McCain would convince much of the world that our vaunted democracy is a sham.
You see We're NOT a 'democracy'. We are a Republic. So,Bruce We don't have a 'democracy'-which is Mob rule. where did You say You were from,Bruce?
Maybe I should use Lincoln's phrase "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people", though that concept is soooo 19th-century.
DIEBOLD count adjustments!
CoIntelPro.PronktasticlyAgainst.SCLM.E-Voting.Incumbents
a url? Since you keep posting it, get it straight for gawd's sake!
I strongly suggest progressives start lobbying hard to push and/or keep him to the left of center. Then, a two-pronged agenda--create a Progressive party, or large progressive wing of the Democratic party, and work hard to finally finish off bury the stinking, bloated zombie corpse of the Republican party (I know that's an incoherent image, oh well).
Maybe in 15-20 years Presidential races will be between a Progressive canditate, a Democrat, and far behind in 3rd place, a Xtian fundamentalist Republican.
Now that would be change we can believe in.
That's the problem with exporting Democracy. Sometimes you ain't left with any.
We Republicans are not going to give up as easily as you leftwingnuts would like us to give up to Usama.
Sorry. Once again, you're on the wrong side at the wrong time.
Try again in 2012. But, just remember. Barackmadinejad has already been exposed for the Marxist he is.
Good Night and Good Luck.
P.S. Liberals suck.
Hit the nail on the proverbial head. Didn't anyone here ever watch Max Headroom?
This is all about television networks maximizing revenue. They hate blowouts. Especially when they're over and done with before the 2nd commercial break.
If these guys could find a way to cause a hurricane they'd spend millions to do it. They really are that craven.
Having said all that, let's not take anything for granted. Get out and vote early if you can, but by all means vote. Sometime before or after that put in some volunteer time at the local campaign office and help get out the vote.
Hey, let's take our candidate's advice and "don't get cocky. He's got it when the votes are counted and McCain concedes.
-Scott
It says Ol' Johnny Mack and Sarah PileOn are now in the lead. Go figure.
go over to http://twitvote.twitmarks.com and cast your e-vote
this stuff counts it gets reported on and shapes opinions
AND its fun :)
I have to see Obama win to believe it, not saying he isn't going to win, but after 2000, 2002, 2004 and they even tried in 2006, I don't believe anything until the voting is over.
That being said it looks like Obama is in for a big victory and that should make everyone nervous, why would the corporate media start telling the truth now after all these years of bold faced lies?
Whatever is going on for good or bad, get out there and vote! we need to wrestle our country back from these criminal scum who have stolen it!
538.com always has great information on all the polls if anyone is a nubers geek like me then check it out.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
a must see for this election day... because this could be you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGF-HEd6XnA
You HAVE to see what Sarah Palin just did now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1exiyBYnJ00
AQ hearts McCain and would love to see him elected.
They love the Bush/McCain policy of Why kill us here when we'll send 'em over there for you to kill. Bush even helps out by not providing adequate armor for humans or vehicles, by electrocuting them in their showers, putting them through so much hell that they're killing themselves and not initiating a draft for the "most important fight of our times." More important than WWII. If he was in charge during WWII, we'd all be speaking German and be members of the Nazi party just like his grand-pappy wanted. All bow to the corporate leaders."All stand for the corporate anthem."
EPN
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