The Press Reach Desperate Ends
In an article on CNN.com yesterday, Chris Lawrence sought to paint a dreary picture for young conservatives and John McCain. He contested that the youth “are worried about McCain’s appeal”. He infers that young Republicans just are not excited about John McCain. He based most of his article off of a quote from what came to be known as a false source (see both here, and here). Surprise, surprise, yet another media outlet bends information to fit their perspective.
Yes, there seems to be, at the time, a bigger crowd for Obama. But are young Republicans “worried” about John McCain? I don’t think so. On cyber space, he has less presence, but we have yet to find out how much that will amount to. The College Republicans have always been the superior grassroots organization. Second to none. And they plan on continuing to do so this year as well. Not only that, but the GOP knows that, McCain knows that, and the rest of our candidates know that. Instead of going on facebook, or posting youtube videos, we are going door to door, making phone calls, and organizing rallies on campus.
I just attended the WIlkes-Barre McCain town hall event on Wednesday. Most of the people in the stands on stage, were youth. AND, there were more in the crowds. Even more impressive, however, is that many of these students did not live in the area. These students are dedicated to the cause.I know for a fact that supporters came from all over to see him; some even traveled over three hours to see a candidate that they believe in. They came excited to see McCain speak, and to hear him take the tough questions; something Barack Obama has yet to do.
Sadly, nobody will know this part of the McCain campaign. Why? Because the media does not want anyone to know. They know that the College Republicans are more organized than the Democrats. That is why they had to make up a source to base an entire article on. The media has created a false perception of Barack Obama. They are in love with the man. He’s a rock star for the media. It’s pathetic, disturbing, and is a disgrace to a value that we all appreciate - freedom of the press.
I urge College Republicans to take action. Log onto sites like digg.com and promote the accurate media stories. Start your own blog, or comment on this one. Make your voice heard; that you want the truth to be broadcasted in the media. Comment on any posts, liberal, conservative, or moderate. Post stories on your facebook pages. Now is the time, more than ever, that our help is needed to win the White House. It’s time to step up!
Tags: Liberal Media, McCain, Mike Ubbens, PACR, Youth
July 28th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I have to say that I was surprised at the amount of people there that were in the 18 to 30 year old range.
And I do agree with Mike about the liberal bias in the media. People should keep in mind that on sites like digg.com we can make a difference simply by digging good pertinent and factual stories and burying bias liberally minded publications like the Huffington Post. It’s a shame that more republicans don’t submit articles or participate in this very liberally minded community.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
It is really sickening to see how the media portrays McCain’s campaign in comparison to Obama’s. I thought that following the fallout of the primary season where the media was overtly favoring Barack instead of Hillary that perhaps it might take a less obvious slant but evidently that was just ‘hoping for change’ on my part.
I can see the mistake on CNN’s part for describing a young man who identifies himself as a Republican to me a member of the CR organization. Entirely understandable error on their part and I am glad it was corrected since then, however the topic of the article is where I find the most fault. This whole “young people are more inspired by Obama because he’s younger” is terribly overstated and is nothing more than manufactured news. My perspective: media outlets see Obama has a strong following in the youth, therefore, McCain conversely cannot. While Obama does seem to attract younger voters, I don’t see that to mean that just because many young voters are enthusiastic about Obama that young supporters of McCain aren’t enthusiastic. I agree with Mike about the turnout of the Wilkes-Barre event. My brother and his friend, 17 and 18 both attended and were fortunately enough to sit on stage. A friend of mine who describes himself as independent, and who I would probably describe as left-leaning also attended and following the event, all were greatly impressed. My brother would vote for McCain if he was old enough and his friend intends to.
Last week I spoke with a teacher, mentor and close friend from my former high school who is admittedly liberal and he now shares my similar sentiment. During the primary season, he expected overwhelming support for Obama by students. He was actually shocked at the student body’s strong support for McCain, saying that many he’s spoken with find too much uncertainty in Obama’s message, too many unknowns. He admitted to me that McCain seemed to be getting an unfair shake in the eyes of the media, and at the very least his young supports are being overstated. Afterward that discussion, he tried to convince me of Obama’s win in November, but I digress…
I think the bigger question about young people being involved in politics is the lack thereof. Many of my peers have no ambition or desire to vote, much less become registered. The vast majority of them are conservative. Given, I live in rural, central Pennsylvania so the conservatism is not surprising at all. Rather than reporting ‘news’ that fits the media’s misconception that young people have trouble being enthusiastic about McCain, I feel the better story is, why in such an important election year are people still sitting on the sidelines?
July 28th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
My perspective: media outlets see Obama has a strong following in the youth, therefore, McCain conversely cannot. While Obama does seem to attract younger voters, I don’t see that to mean that just because many young voters are enthusiastic about Obama that young supporters of McCain aren’t enthusiastic.
Well, politics is a zero sum game. Even you fella’s couldn’t deny that Obama is outpolling McCain significantly among young voters. Furthermore, the Obama campaign managed to win the primary by turning out a higher percentage of younger voters than before. The Iowa caucuses- I saw young people help push Obama over the top. McCain? Not so much.
Nobody would deny that there aren’t SOME enthusiastic young supporters of McCain. Hell, you guys could have nominated the corpse of Strom Thurmand (didn’t he beat Giulliani in Iowa?) and you would still find College Republicans EXCITED! about his candidacy.
I know you guys have a lot of denying to do these days, but denying Obama’s youth edge is silly.
Maybe refocus your denial energy towards climate change and evolution? Opinions differ!
July 28th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Ugh, again with the bold tag. I fail.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Glad you made it back. Conversation is always fun and exciting.
However, I’m not sure of what you are arguing right now… Over fifty percent of the American people believe that the Media is favoring Barack Obama. They failed to report that Senator Obama’s “200,000 in attendance crowd” (later corrected to a lower number) was due to a CONCERT before hand. I’d be interested to see how much of a correlation there is between the amount of positive media coverage on a particular candidate and the youth vote. I know you enjoy arguing - so go ahead and find that out, we’ll have at it again.
Also - some food for thought: http://time-blog.com/real_clear_politics/2008/07/gallupusa_today_poll_mccain_4.html
John McCain JUMPS five points AHEAD of Obama in only three days?! What was going on? OH…yes I remember now, he was busy smiling for the cameras overseas. Maybe the fact that he failed to honor our wounded soldiers had something to do with it.
Always a pleasure,
Mike
July 28th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Maybe the fact that he failed to honor our wounded soldiers had something to do with it.
Mike, I’ve generally enjoyed our discussions, and I’d be happy to hash it out over pints if you ever ventured out here to Sin City, but I strongly suggest you stop saying things like the above. It’s an unfair, utterly dishonest, and shameful attack. You expose a lack of character when you engage in such a manner, and I mean that genuinely. It may serve you well in the world of young Republicanism, but outside of your small circle most people would consider that a truely shameful thing to say. It’s no excuse that John McCain has decided to shame himself as well.
As you’re someone who has often been a voice against divisivness on this site, I urge you to put a little thought into what you say.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Hmmm…a few pints sound pretty good. If I’m ever down in “Sin City” (or the city of brotherly love?) I may have to take you up on that. You buying?
I did not write that as an attack. I did however, state the facts, and then put what I believed to be the reason for the facts listed:
- Obama came back after refusing to see the troops
- Poll jumped five points in McCain’s favor in THREE days
- American ppl reminded of what Obama did
Until next time,
Mike
July 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Hmmm…a few pints sound pretty good. If I’m ever down in “Sin City” (or the city of brotherly love?) I may have to take you up on that. You buying?
john, if you get him to come to drinking liberally, i’m buying!