Posted by
Andrews on Thursday, September 11, 2008 11:14:30 AM
What a difference a few months can make.
Just a few months ago, Obama called the voters of Pennsylvania ignorant rubes, and perhaps racists as well, saying they were clinging to guns and G-d because of economic woes and that they were fearing people different from themselves. When the voters surprised him by taking umbrage at this description, he responded first by saying that he "worded it badly", then with my
favorite defense, saying, in essence, "I didn't mean you, I meant
those other people..." And the press backed him up on this, pretending the issue did not exist, giving it the most scant coverage they could, and giving every sign that they accepted his non-explanation as settling the matter.
Now, having managed to offend just about every possible group not affiliated with MoveOn.org with his "lipstick on a pig" comment, Obama is finding the press a lot less willing to cover up his mistake. This time the press, while not yet asking hard questions, is also not going to great lengths to hide the controversy. No longer are they quite as ready to bury his poorly chosen words, or to make ready excuses for the candidate once dubbed "a one man gaffe machine".
So, what changed?
I think the press has finally figured out what
I have been saying for some time, their unbroken Obama love fest is costing them credibility. And while they were
ready to carry water for their champion if it would usher in the liberal utopia they hoped he would, they are a little reluctant to sacrifice their (ever thinning) veneer of impartiality if Obama is
likely to lose. And,
all the signs indicate the press is beginning to recognize that very possibility.
It is bad news for Obama. As I pointed out before, he is
as gaffe prone as our sitting president if not more so, and the only reason this has passed unnoticed so far is the press' reluctance to rebroadcast any of his flubs. The willingness of the press to simply ignore anything that might reflect badly upon him is the only thing that has kept him from being subjected to the criticism many of his statements deserve. Not just mistakes either, but even explicit policy statements, such as his one time plan to invade Pakistan or his delightfully contradictory positions on Israel and gun control.
Without the press actively covering for him, Obama is going to have a few rough weeks ahead.