John McCain Gains on Obama: Voter Rejection of Media Bias?

Presumptive presidential nominee Sen. John McCain now leads in Colorado and is closing the gap in Michigan and Minnesota, who once favored Obama by 17 points, the Seattle Times reports. Arriving at a time when Sen. Barack Obama enjoys a world audience in Europe and when the number of Americans who feel reporters are trying "to help Obama" is on the rise, according to polls.

McCain's gains appear to be a rejection of journalistic political advocacy along with support for McCain on one key issue: offshore drilling. Given the rising cost of fuel, independents and some Democrats have warmed to the idea. With the war in Iraq trailing significantly behind the economy as a primary concern, though interrelated, McCain may continue to diminish Obama's lead in swing states -- whether or not the measure provides short-term relief at the pump.

Yet, it may be McCain's underdog status with the media that is helping the presumptive presidential candidate most.

Media Bias Against McCain Backfires

Few would argue that McCain makes for good TV. More sleepy a politician than pre-2001 Vice President Al Gore, media coverage can be at times painful -- though necessary.

One thing that Americans of any political affiliation do not tolerate well for long is the silencing, real or perceived, of either the minority or the masses.

Subsequently, Obama supporters should be as concerned about media bias as the McCain campaign. This free media ride could turn costly.

Following the recent New York Times refusal to publish a McCain challenge to Obama's recently published, "My Plan for Iraq," a new line in the sand was drawn. The anger is not limited to a growing number of blogs across the Internet.

A recent Rasmussen Reports survey, taken prior to the New York Times / McCain controversy, "found that 49% of voters believe most reporters will try to help the Democrat with their coverage, up from 44% a month ago." McCain's gains in swing states since may be reflected in follow-up polling.

Meanwhile, Fox News commentator Sean Hannity deems 2008 as the year journalism died. I thought I'd see the grave before quoting Hannity, but it is not an uncommon sentiment, nor an unfounded statement.

Campaign Donations by Media Favor Obama Overwhelmingly

Extreme media bias exists in campaign donations, too. An IBD journalist has followed the money trail and found overwhelming support for the Democratic party. With data that identifies each mainstream media organization, from MSNBC to Reuters, an "analysis of federal records shows that the amount of money journalists contributed so far this election cycle favors Democrats by a 15:1 ratio over Republicans, with $225,563 going to Democrats, only $16,298 to Republicans."

Journalists alone donated in favor of Obama over McCain at a ratio of 20-to-1, even though most major news organization maintain policies against political donations by newsroom employees. Many freelancers in the IBD analysis failed to list an employer.

You Report, We'll Decide About Obama and McCain

Political historians will be left to decide on the impact of surging media bias on American politics, and how it affected voters and both Obama and McCain's presidential campaigns. Media bias is nothing new, but few can remember it being so overt -- even pretense is gone. Ultimately, the consequences may not be as expected for either Obama or McCain.

Sources

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008071973_mccaingains25.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/opinion/14obama.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=301702713742569

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashnym.htm

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/belief_growing_that_reporters_are_trying_to_help_obama_win

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/07/22/times-op-ed-rejection-fuels-bias-claims