A key propaganda technique we'll be observing in the next few days will involve the attempts by wingnuttia to limit any exposure of who Ned Lamont is, what he looks like, or even mentioning his name.
We've already seen this on Drudge, a good barometer of how the propaganda is going to be framed. For days Drudge featured heroic pictures of Joe Lieberman without once mentioning Ned Lamont by name.
Today, instead of Drudge running a "LAMONT WINS" type of headline, it's all about "INDEPENDENT JOE" featuring pictures of Lieberman.
This is the start of a trend, and we must observe not only where it occurs but how to fight it.
The goal is simple.
Limit any exposure of Ned Lamont to the underinformed. Since Drudge is read by millions each day, any exposure of Ned Lamont and "WINNING" in the same combination will invariably help Ned and hurt Joementum. So, being the good Pravda footsoldier that he is Drudge will infuse his narratives so they focus entirely on Joe as a "comeback kid" or "fighting for integrity."
But we all know Drudge is a hack.
Where we'll see this trend is also in the mainstream media. Instead of actually writing about the winner, Ned Lamont, they've been focusing on Lieberman. And this is legitimate -- Lieberman losing is the story to most people who have never heard of Ned Lamont.
Where we will see the rats expose themselves is in how they cover the story in the next few weeks. Responsible journalists (if there are any remaining) will focus on Ned Lamont. Who is he? What drives him? Where does he stand? How did he pull off this incredible come-from-nowhere victory over an 18 year incumbent?
Take a look at FoxNews right now (I'll understand if you'd prefer not to). A picture of Joe Lieberman heroically standing with his wife and family:
Lieberman and his wife, Hadassah, thank supporters.
Defiant Joe Presses On
Lieberman files for independent run
Democrats rally for winner Ned Lamont as Connecticut Senate race heats up
Count 'em up -- 3 Lieberman references before one Lamont reference. And this is after Lamont WON. This is how we detect spin and see how the republican machine is just beginning to fire up for Holy Joe.
And CNN? Not much better.
Their mainpage headline:
Dem leaders back Lieberman opponent
Wha-? "Lieberman opponent"? Who is this mysterious Lieberman opponent? Is he a republican? A martian? You wouldn't know by CNN's mainpage headline.
Clicking on the article isn't much better:
Democratic leadership quickly backs Lamont
Sen. Lieberman says he can not accept loss, vows to fight on
Wednesday, August 9, 2006; Posted: 11:45 a.m. EDT (15:45 GMT)
(CNN) -- Democratic leaders Wednesday moved quickly to back Ned Lamont, the winner of the Connecticut primary.
The move puts veteran Sen. Joe Lieberman, who has vowed to run as an independent, at odds with his own party.
Lieberman lost the primary election to Lamont, a millionaire cable executive, by 52 percent to 48 percent on Tuesday night.
CNN's picture? -- Joe Lieberman:
So let me get this straight. Neither CNN nor FoxNews decide a picture of Ned Lamont is worth including with their articles?
Only MSNBC mentions Ned Lamont by name in this ambiguous headline:
Analysis: Lamont-Lieberman battle
So who won this "battle"? Dunno. You can't tell on MSNBC's top mainpage.
MSNBC does feature this recommended article headline:
Lieberman concedes; Lamont wins primary
The far closest of the three fake news networks towards reporting actual news.
Of course, clicking on that article brings you to... a picture of Joe Lieberman:
So none of the three major "news" networks decided to include a pic of Ned Lamont. Picking up Drudge's cue, it's all about Lieberman. This will be worth tracking as we move forward.