This morning I was reading an interesting article about how Republicans have long used the anti-media message as a way to rally their troops in campaigns. Nixon was used as an example. Of course this was in response to Sarah Palin’s line in her speech about how she isn’t seeking the “good opinion” of journalists and it drew a rousing response from the crowd. So clever!
Although it is hardly suprising to anyone who’s been awake in this Internet-driven media world we live in that Palin’s family issues have been raked over the coals, it is understandable that the governor’s instinct has been to strike back. How she didn’t see this coming, though, I’ll never know. Wasn’t the possibility, the probability, of an onslaught part of the discussion in their family meeting when Palin decided to run? When you thrust yourself and your family into an international spotlight, this is part of it. For ALL candidates.
This got me to thinking, wouldn’t it be interesting to give Palin exactly what she wants? No camera time. No print. No radio. No coverage. Not plausible, but it’s intriguing to ponder nonetheless.
And this morning just as I was pondering this, a suspiciously unsourced story appeared on The Drudge Report site about Oprah’s staff being divided over having Palin on her show. Despite Oprah’s official statement calling Drudge’s piece categorically untrue, this became a firestorm in a matter of hours, as person after person denounced her for hypocrisy, racism, sexism and classism, among other things. They were on her message boards in droves, most of them ripping her to shreds, questioning her balance and fairness.
Media matters have become so blurred in this country that people don’t know the difference between a journalist and a TV show host. Oprah is under no obligation to show both sides of anything. Her show is about her viewpoint. Duh. Anyone who strongly disagrees has only to change the channel.
Hmmmm. It all kind of conveniently feeds into that whole anti-media message, doesn’t it?
So clever.
