Dana Milbank of the Washington Post often writes with a good deal of attitude, and his Tuesday column was no exception. In his report on Sarah Palin’s campaign speech in Clearwater, Florida, laced with mocking Palinisms (“darn right,” “betcha”), he wrote that “the self-identified pit bull has been unleashed, if not unhinged.” The “unhinging,” in Milbank’s assessment, came when Palin charged that Obama still has some explaining to do ... Full Story »
Posted by Roland F. Hirsch
I can read nothing that indicates that the author attended this campaign. He is comparing some other articles to Milbanks article in an effort to say that Milbank was not truthful. We do not know if the other stories were the only ones or did the author select sections of part of the stories that he wanted for the article. This is not good journalism.
This analysis tracks how Milbank's hyperbolic description of a Palin rally in Florida grew into descriptions of an evermore viscious mob with repeated tellings in the press. The process resembled the old parlor game, "gossip". The writer does a good job through example of showing how easily and quicky perspective can be lost. However, I do take issue with his characterization of Palin's plumbing of the relationship between Obama and Ayers as standard political fare. That relationship has been thoroughly investigated for at least a year and shown to be benign. To claim otherwise should be substandard even for political rallies.
The exaggerated 1% truth, hateful guilt-by-association attacks by Palin/McCain/Rove are designed to arouse hate and fear and distrust. They do. This opinion (not news) raises valid points at to whether the hate that was expressed at the rally was exaggerated in the press. The concern may be valid, but it ignores the core cause, neocons using exaggerated lies to pander to hate based upon race and class. The criticism is not balanced.
The argument that the media are distorting the emotions expressed during Palin's recent rallies is an important one. The author criticizes news organizations for reading too much into two comments made at a single rally. The call for more thorough reporting is starting to be answered. For example, see "Panic attacks: Voters unload at GOP rallies" at politico.com
This news analysis has considerable journalistic value. The author provides a neutral assessment of opinion pieces and articles about a recent Republican rally. He does not insert his own opinions of the candidates but lets the information speak for itself.
Retrieving Comments
