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May 21, 2009

Obama Vs. Cheney: Media’s Blasphemous Equivalency

By Michael Shaw

Obama-Cheney-Gitmo.jpg

Take a look at what CNN and just about every other media outlet did today — in words as well as pictures. They took Obama’s major speech on terrorism and Dick Cheney’s speech at the American Enterprise Institute and put both men on a level playing field.

Update 1:

cheney-obama-1.jpg

What these examples also illustrate in the most blatant way — looking at this clip from The Guardian — is the media’s instinct to create conflict and negativity, and to water down political issues by personalizing them.

Note in both examples, by the way, how Cheney “comes first” (as we tend to read images left-to-right) as the demanding or commanding figure.

Update 2:

Obama-Cheney-3.jpg

In what the media has turned into a testosterone-charged, “Obama – Cheney “mano-a-mano” (a “clash,” a “duel,” a “collision”), the NYT headline story on Obama’s speech was illustrated by a photo of Dick’s anticipated “rebuttal.” Notice how the PC on the desktop streaming the Obama’s speech frames the President as Cheney’s warm up act. And then, nothing like dragging the wife into it. (Lynne Cheney is no one to mess with, either.)

Update 3:

obama-cheney-wapo.jpg

The folks at WAPO not only knocked themselves out in turning Obama’s speech into an Obama-Cheney video call-and-response, Dana Milbank dropped all pretense for analogy, turning the day into a heavyweight fight with his post, titled “A Thrilla Near the Hilla.” I have to share these clips with you, so you’ll have a vivid picture of the media down for the count:

It was the political world’s equivalent of Ali-Frazier, a televised smackdown between the president, giving a speech about terrorism at the National Archives, and the former vice president, jabbing back from across town at AEI. … On paper, Obama should be an easy victor in his duel with Cheney; Obama is viewed favorably by about 60 percent of the public, Cheney by about 25 percent. And yet Cheney seems to be winning this fight. … For the moment, at least, Obama’s intellectual arguments can’t match Cheney’s visceral rage.   

(h/t: KH)

(revised 5/23/09. 1 am PST)

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  • lq

    My God, even NPR did this equivalency this morning on Morning Edition – Steve Inskip (sp?) did this with Juan Williams and it was NOT a good way to start the day. What idiots. I don’t expect too much from NPR anymore, but this was so over the top stupid.

  • http://connersaa.com/usd/jx.htm black dog barking

    I see investment grade sloth. Now that KKKarl ain’t around to spoon feed ‘em, the mass media tries to keep their current process alive by clutching to the form that worked last year. God forbid they get off their lazy asses, get out and *observe* the world that they pretend to report to us. Anyway, they’ve probably downsized everyone capable of doing the reporting thing.

  • margaret

    I was ticked off when I saw this on NBC. Same thought, as if Cheney were the “loyal opposition,” when, in fact, he seems to be conducting a media campaign which will allow his lawyer to put forth the defense that he can’t get a fair trial in this country because of all the media stories about his “alleged” torture dictates.

  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p00e5523476cc8834 DennisQ

    Cheney’s taking his best shot to stay out of prison, and the media are cooperating. The ugly photos will soon be released, along with the even uglier stories. Not being in charge of the Justice Department is going to hurt him, because he won’t be able to reward his friends and punish his enemies. The incriminating stuff is on its way.
    To paraphrase Cheney himself, the right wing may be in its death throes.

  • lytom

    Another part of the playing field that is in the background is Democratic Party itself! They have strangely decided to vote with the Republicans against Obama.
    With such “friends” who needs enemies?
    Where did the plans go wrong? Starting with the pledge of 2010 for the closure! Same as the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Too much time on hand will strengthen the oposition and cause retreat on words and actions.

  • thirdeye pushpin

    Can we have an election to vote out the board of the MSM organizations?

  • Robin Lee

    You know what drives me nuts? The idea that this (whatever it is) is a “developing story.” It used to be that a developing story meant something was going on that could suddenly change, so I needed to pay attention. I’m thinking here of something like a hurricane, tornado or blizzard. Now “developoing story” just means “stay tuned” If everything is important, nothing is important.

  • brg
  • kirkaracha

    Cheney: “Everyone expected a follow-on attack, and our job was to stop it.” Later in the same paragraph: “We had the anthrax attack from an unknown source.”
    Dude is 0-2 at preventing domestic terrorist attacks. Why is he on my TV?

  • http://profile.typepad.com/6p01156fa81bad970c PoliticalCircusBlog.blogspot.com

    Chaney can’t sit on the sidelines and watch the U.S. become a second rate power. Mr. Obama has created an opening for China, Russia, France and England to take the mantle of world leadership. He is naive and displays weakness. Chaney has more “gravitas” (what a lousy word) than Mr. Obama. Since WW11 the average of each administration’s debt has increased by 2 1/2 %. In Mr. Obama’s first four months he has increased the debt by more than 12%. What happened to all the cry’s from the left to reduce the national debt? Bush left him w/a mess….Baloney…Mr. Obama’s stimulas. the 6% he’s spent,’ has rewarded Unions, Acorn and other special interests that contributed to his campaign. C’mon let’s get both sides of the story!

  • http://www.naturalcureadvantage.com RochelleLewis

    Just about tired of the parties fighting amoungst themselves instead of using their influence to fix things

  • Ali

    Last photo, Mrs Cheney looks frazzled, defiant, and oddly raw. Is that Katie O’Berne (sp?) behind her, of the old Capital Gang? All these hard, blond republican women, Lynn, Katie, the vile spawn Liz, Dana P, Sue B-H, the Fox anchor-ettes, (M)Ann, Laura,Nancy Puffenhouer who smiled, laughed, widened her eyes, and lied for McCain, the mean talk show host chicks, what is it with these women? I sense a feeling of defeat, deflation in the group photo. As for the press, Chuck T interviewed Liz Cheney after VP’s speech. Actually it was more like they were cuddling. Where’s Jesse Ventura?

  • quagmiremonkey

    These men aren’t sparring over the limits of Presidential power, they are in agreement. This is master and student. Perhaps Obama resents sharing the mic, perhaps not, but he’s indebted.

  • Johanna

    The word “blasphemous” in the title of the post is the real shocker here. Its use feeds into the idea that Obama supporters are cultists and idol worshipers. You can only blaspheme a god.

  • zatopa

    This is absurd. Someone please inform these people that Dick Cheney is no longer holding an elected office. The only power he has is what they grant him with these public platforms.

  • Gasho

    Thoughtful intelligent action doesn’t count unless you take your Dick out and bang it on the table, is that it, CircusBlog? You’re an idiot.
    “Baloney” that Bush left a mess? The average American’s memory may be short, but THAT argument won’t even start working for at least another year. We’re all still stunned that Bush could be such a F*ckup and screw us all so badly. Bush dug us into a hole so deep we’ll be lucky to get out of it. Obama is doing what he has to do. I wish he was lighting Bush’s pants on fire but he’s trying to cool things off and put us on the right track. It’s going to cost money. A lot of money. Next time maybe the republican idiots won’t drive us into a ditch before handing over the keys and pissing on the driver’s seat.
    Oh, and “Mr. Obama has created an opening for China, Russia, France and England to take the mantle of world leadership.”.. so you were the kid who stayed home a practiced his karate moves in case of a ninja attack while everyone else went to the prom, huh? The way to keep America on top is through education, innovation, balance of powers, justice and the rule of law. You’ve got to grow up. Your “kill them all” solutions haven’t lead us anywhere but down.. into the MESS we’re in today.
    I’m sick of the a$$hats thinking that their “side of the story” is legitimate when every thinking person can see the weakness of the arguments, the awful consequences of right wing thinking, and the fact that they are born out of fear and a dream of domination. You don’t want the world to be peaceful and in balance — you want to own it all and beat down the poor and bomb the crap out of anyone who thinks differently. I’m sick of it. It’s SO plain to see the weakness in all of that. The sadness and desperation. GROW UP.

  • http://profile.typepad.com/Serr8d Serr8d

    Of course they aren’t equivalent (Obama’s complete reversal on his campaign promises notwithstanding; including yesterday’s decision to embrace Bush – Cheney policies…“We are going to exhaust every avenue that we have to prosecute those at Guantanamo who pose a danger to our country,” Obama said. “But even when this process is complete, there may be a number of people who cannot be prosecuted for past crimes, but who nonetheless pose a threat to the security of the United States.”)…

    …the better man doesn’t need a teleprompter.

  • wagonjak

    To find another pathetic column on this “dueling speeches” go to WaPo opinions column and read Dean Broder’s pathetic column on the subject…and please leave another snarky or nasty remark…the fact that an senile old fart like Broder is still getting a platform for his feeble, misguided and often idiot views is amazing!

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