In 2000 the corporate media didn't widely report stories about Bush's past encounters with the law and drunken driving convictions. Then they virtually ignored all of the evidence that he lied to get us into the Iraq War. In other words, there is a long history of them giving Bush a free pass.
My question is: Will they give the next Republican Presidential candidate a pass as well? For example, if Giuliani is the candidate will they fail to expose the fraud that is his role in 9/11? Will they not report the stories of corruption? If Huckabee is the candidate will his ethical lapses and religious wingnuttery be reported?
I've been arguing this with a friend of mine. I've been taking the position that the time for free passes is over. My friend expects more of the same.
I think it is different now because:
- There is the counter balance of the net.
- Even huge sections of the ruling class are aghast at what the Republicans have wrought.
- The Democrats will campaign smarter and more aggressively.
- The stench from the Republican brand will make it next to impossible to whitewash any Republican.
My friend thinks:
- The corporate media still loves the Republicans.
- Most people won't even hear what the net says, since they get their news from the corporate media.
- To admit that Giuliani is a fraud they have to admit that they perpetuated that fraud, and they won't want to do that.
What do you all think? And why?