Obama/Biden vs. McCain/Palin

[Arthur Dent]

CNN and MSNBC lean left as much as FoxNews leans right.

MSNBC maybe, but CNN absolutely not. In any case, the problem with both of those networks is the constant inanity and pointlessness of their coverage not the politics. I think openly declared perspective is actually better than concepts like "balance" as practiced in U.S. journalism.

[TimeForGuinness]

I watch PBS...old newscasters rule the school.

[Popeye_Card]

I DO understand that the media leans left, or at least gives the appearance that they do.

Really? What evidence is there that The Media (tm) leans left?

I don't have particular evidence, and I don't really want to fight the battle, but I usually apply a bit of a spin filter when I watch political coverage on most MSM channels.

Well, sure. Media coverage of politics is often just repeating campaign spin instead of actual reporting. After applying the spin filter, there is often nothing left. Still, this claim that the media is "liberal" has come to be conventional wisdom despite a lack of evidence that it's actually true. If, for example, you count the number of partisan spokespeople appearing as sources on mainstream outlets, there is actually a conservative bias. That result also held during the Clinton administration, so it is not just a function of the party in power. In any case, partisan bias is far from the biggest problem with the news.

When I usually apply the spin filter is when they have those spokespeople on. The anchors, etc. seem to grill the conservative spokespeople a little harder than the liberal ones. Though maybe that's just my perception, and let it be known that I lean left in the first place.

[tothebeach08]

In fact, I don't think they even mentioned it. Biden's son isn't doing it for publicity. He's doing it for his country.

Obviously someone mentioned it otherwise we wouldn't all know about it. Even they have said the kid's are off limits. This is not a fair statement, they are both going to Iraq, leave them both out of it.

[GatewaySnayke]

CNN and MSNBC lean left as much as FoxNews leans right.

MSNBC maybe, but CNN absolutely not. In any case, the problem with both of those networks is the constant inanity and pointlessness of their coverage not the politics. I think openly declared perspective is actually better than concepts like "balance" as practiced in U.S. journalism.

Having Keith Olbermann and now Rachel Maddow gives the impression that MSNBC is as liberal as Fox is right -- but perhaps reality still has a liberal bias. There was a study that showed Fox News viewers are more likely to be misinformed than a viewer of PBS, CNN, MSNBC, etc. I can't remember the specifics, but it seemed like a good majority of Fox viewers still thought Iraq had WMD.

[docellis]

In fact, I don't think they even mentioned it. Biden's son isn't doing it for publicity. He's doing it for his country.

Obviously someone mentioned it otherwise we wouldn't all know about it. Even they have said the kid's are off limits. This is not a fair statement, they are both going to Iraq, leave them both out of it.

I didn't watch either convention but I think (correct me if I am wrong) the point was that:
The dem convention: either did not mention Biden's sons plans to go to Iraq or the plans were barely mentioned
The gop convention: a larger, patriotic display was made of Palin's kid going to Iraq

is that what happened?

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

When I usually apply the spin filter is when they have those spokespeople on. The anchors, etc. seem to grill the conservative spokespeople a little harder than the liberal ones. Though maybe that's just my perception, and let it be known that I lean left in the first place.

I lean a little right and won't even watch FoxNews. That channel is a [expletive] joke. And, they lean right in having a "balanced show" with Hannity and Colmes although Colmes is there for appearance only. Basically he is someone to "balance" the show yet he does nothing but bend over and let hannity violate his bumhole.

I don't think any of them are balanced, though. But, I'd rather get my news from someone I disagree with a bit than someone blowing lies and smoke up peoples' asses.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

In fact, I don't think they even mentioned it. Biden's son isn't doing it for publicity. He's doing it for his country.

Obviously someone mentioned it otherwise we wouldn't all know about it. Even they have said the kid's are off limits. This is not a fair statement, they are both going to Iraq, leave them both out of it.

I didn't watch either convention but I think (correct me if I am wrong) the point was that:
The dem convention: either did not mention Biden's sons plans to go to Iraq or the plans were barely mentioned
The gop convention: a larger, patriotic display was made of Palin's kid going to Iraq

is that what happened?

Did McCain bring up his child in Iraq or the one preparing to go over after he graduates from the Naval Academy? I didn't hear his speech, but I didn't hear anything about it. If you're praising Biden for not bringing it up, perhaps mccain deserves some as well.

[JL21]

I think it'd be sort of wacky to go to the voting booth, and one of the factors in your decision is whether or not the candidate(s) have children fighting in Iraq.

[docellis]

Did McCain bring up his child in Iraq or the one preparing to go over after he graduates from the Naval Academy? I didn't hear his speech, but I didn't hear anything about it. If you're praising Biden for not bringing it up, perhaps mccain deserves some as well.

I'm not praising anyone. I just had a question about the handling of the two VP candidates' kids by their respective conventions.