We all know how it works.
An issue comes up, either real or contrived, from some source, is reported in a RightWing media news outlet. It's then echoed by Limbaugh, Hannity, and all the other conservative radio hosts (and for those of us who live in the greater New York City area we know there is no such thing as a liberal radio host). Very soon after that it's repeated by FoxNews and their 21 hours a day of "opinion journalism".
It often feels that all of this is scripted and orchestrated by the same special interests (usually a few small Super Pacs, or billionaires, although that's one in the same isn't it?)
But it hit me yesterday that maybe things are changing. Follow me as I try to make sense of my observation.
Yesterday I went for a walk. By that I mean first I drove to a Rails to Trails park, then went for a nice long walk.
On the drive there I listened to Rush Limbaugh, you may have heard of him. In my early 20's I was a huge Rush fan. I was a closeted gay man at the time, and I liked what I heard him say about keeping government out of peoples lives. Then I actually paid attention to what the people who professed to follow Rush actually did. Obviously they believe in legislating morality and want government in the bedroom. Oh, and they always seem to want to go to war with someone. So I stopped listening years ago and came back to the Democratic party.
But occasionally I still tune in to see what thoughts are bouncing in Rush's head. Yesterday was predictable (still infuriating, but predictable). Obama is a crybaby, he stormed out of the credit crisis negotiations, this is a time for grown-ups and Obama is a child, et.c etc.
After my walk I drove back home listening to Sean Hannity rail, I mean absolutely against Obama. Saying such things as Obama is a crybaby, he stormed out of the credit crisis negotiations, this is a time for grown-ups and Obama is a child, et.c etc. He did say he was officially calling Obama the "Cry Baby in Chief" which he seemed to think was rather clever.
This is when it hit me.
Fox News
Conservative Radio
Conservative Newspapers
Conservative messaging being bombarded on the American public non-stop in every venue and medium you can imagine. So it must be affecting public opinion right?
No
A Quinnipiac Poll Finds the public trusts Obama over the Republicans to do a better job of handling the economy 45-35%.
The public blames the current recession on former President Bush 54-27%.
And they say that an agreement to end the current credit crisis should include tax hikes for the wealthy, 67-25%!
I can't help but think that after so many years of being bombarded by the RW Echo chamber that these numbers should be a lot different, and be slanting in favor of the Republican position of cut taxes.
But the numbers don't bear it out.
Time for serious people to be in charge.
American President