Playing the “Name that Party” game with the MSM.
Something the right-o-sphere has been pointing out for a long time is the media’s propensity to “forget” the party affiliation of a political scandal when that party happens to be Democrats.
Take a look at this slide show from ABC. It’s thirteen images of various politicians who have been caught up in sex scandals. Anything stand out to you in the way that ABC writes copy? (h/t to Pigilito)
You would think that ABC would have a style guide that dictates how/when to include the party affiliation and state of politicians when mentioned in an article.
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Ace points us to another recent example at CNN in reference to the Eliot Spitzer blockbuster story.
The CNN breaking story on NY Governor Eliot Spitzer steamrolling over a prostitute contains 554 words. Not a single one of the is Democrat. Pretend for a moment if the same story broke about Texas Governor Rick Perry — do you believe for one moment that the word “Republican” wouldn’t be somewhere in the first sentence, if not the headline?
If you do believe that, you seriously haven’t been paying attention.
o Democratic president consorts with intern: Impeachment, no conviction.
o Democratic governor consorts with prostitutes (overtones of unsafe sex): Choice of resignation or impeachment.
o Republican senator consorts with prostitutes (overtones of diaper-wearing): No big deal.
o Republican senator solicits gay sex in men’s room: Human punchline, Ethics Committee admonishment.
o Republican vice president shoots hunting buddy in the face: No big deal. Victim apologizes.
o Republican president starts war under false pretenses, tortures prisoners, wiretaps American citizens without warrants, etc, etc, etc.: Impeachment “off the table.”
o Republican-appointed CENTCOM commander displays sound tactical and strategic judgment that stands in the way of Dubya’s shiny new war: Forced to resign.
Lesson learned: If you’re a Republican or a Republican appointee, you can pretty much do whatever you want, provided you never, ever put duty ahead of loyalty.
Or get indicted. Chasing underage kids is fine - but if you get caught, you’re on your own.
Left by Pat on March 11th, 2008 at 8:52 pm