Obama’s Strength, Traditional Media’s WeaknessRandy Shawbyline‚ May. 07‚ 2008Prior to counting the votes in North Carolina and Indiana, the traditional media had its post-election narrative all prepared: Obama had once again done poorly among white working class voters, Clinton had out-maneuvered him on the summer gas tax waiver, Reverend Wright was damaging Obama’s candidacy, rural voters had rebelled against Obama’s calling them “bitter,” and Clinton had the momentum while Obama clung to the ropes waiting for the last primary bell to ring. This narrative so dominated the two weeks since Pennsylvania that even Obama supporters who understood the mathematical impossibility of a Clinton victory worried that the nomination would somehow become hers. But as has so often proved true this campaign season, the traditional media created its narrative despite polls showing that Obama was maintaining support, and that his base remained galvanized. Last night not only was a climatic victory for Barack Obama, but a stunning rebuff of the conventional “wisdom” that still dominates the traditional media. |