In, what is perhaps a shock to none of us, MSNBC has taken a positive story on John Edwards trying to return some economic fairness in this country and turned it into a right-wing frame job on their front page. As some of you might know, a large portion of everything Americans read online or in their papers is controlled by the AP. If the AP doesn't like you, you are screwed because everyone picks up their stories. Just do a Google search for Nedra Pickler and Democrat if you don't believe me. However, in this case the AP was giving John Edwards some love.
DES MOINES, Iowa - Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards on Thursday unveiled a plan that would increase taxes for the wealthy and create tax breaks for the middle class.
...
Edwards' plan would fix what he called a "rigged" system by ending tax breaks to Washington insiders with wealth and corporate power. Those are the same people, he said, who keep politicians in power
How was this story reported? Well, I guess it depends on who pays your bills.
For Yahoo news the story was clear:
But, for the pawns at MSNBC, the story needed to be cast in a slightly different light.
Of course, the rub is that they are reporting on the same story, word for word. If you'd like to see how other publications titled this story, you can go here. A vast majority simply say "John Edwards unveils tax plan/strategy", which is a good title because this isn't a simple sound bite plan/strategy. The New York Post makes no bones about its framing.
EDWARDS: TAX RICH
AP
July 27, 2007 -- DES MOINES, Iowa
Yes, it was in all caps, like the war had just ended or something.
People in Iowa were more accepting of the plan.
IowaPolitics.com: Edwards looks to fix 'rigged' federal government with tax reform plan
7/26/2007
By Chris Dorsey
IowaPolitics.com
Radio Iowa News
Edwards: system is "rigged" against all but super rich
Thursday, July 26, 2007, 12:27 PM
By O.Kay Henderson
Edwards on tax system: Government rigged'
4:04 PM
Sioux City Journal
Edwards: 'Rigged' taxes hurt poor
The Democratic candidate contends that work, not just investment, should be rewarded.
By TONY LEYS
DesMoines Register
Edwards’ plan would raise taxes on wealthy and aid middle class
Times-Republican
Of course, places like the Wall Street Journal have to take umbrage that their bread and butter is being attacked.
Edwards Proposes an Increase In Capital-Gains Tax to 28%
Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards said he would raise the capital-gains tax rate to 28% from 15% and boost income taxes on those making more than $200,000 a year to finance tax cuts and other benefits for middle- and lower-income families. The proposal is likely to spur Mr. Edwards's main rivals for the Democratic nomination, Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, to detail their tax prescriptions. Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama have said that they favor rolling back at least a portion of the Bush tax cuts that favor upper-income families. Mr. Obama's aides have said he is considering proposing an increase in the capital-gains rate to 20%.
I see that none of them picked up on the fact that he is returning the capital-gains tax to the more proper Reagan-era levels. How surprising. But, I do agree with one thing they said.
The proposal is likely to spur Mr. Edwards's main rivals for the Democratic nomination, Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois, to detail their tax prescriptions.
John Edwards leads with specific, Progressive, policies while the remainder of the field plays "wait and see".