Posted by
King Vinyl on Friday, April 22, 2011 7:35:15 PM
It’s hard to keep up with the political wrangling in DC especially when all you hear is bad news. A lot of people just can’t stomach the drama machine that masquerades itself as media these days.
Those who blame the absolute collapse of mainstream TV and print journalism is universally on the internet are a bit short sighted in their claims. Denial in this case is no different than a drug addiction in this case the drug is drama. The consequences; just like with the traditional addict any trust in their ability to reason in logic is out the window.
The 24 news cycle has seen probably the most dynamic expression of these facts and all one would have to do is refer to the ratings. While Fox News remains at the top MSNBC trolls the uncharted depths; both cover the same stories with channels a click away from each other. So how is that the fault of the internet?
The New York Times is in full cannibal mode as it continues what has now become an annual event of desperation of cutting positions and restructuring its’ business model. These forms of media aren’t the issue and it has absolutely nothing to do with how many people are where doing whatever on the payroll.
Take the K-car from Chrysler for instance on paper it was a great concept make all you cars on the same basic frame and interchange the body to give your customers a choice. This cuts down the cost of development speeds up production and drives down the overall cost of each unit. But in reality not too many people wanted to drive them because they were ugly unreliable cars with horrific amenities. People did make a choice and most chose Ford, Chevy or, Toyota.
Much the same way people choose Fox News, Limbaugh, and the blogs for information they can trust. Its’ just historical fact that Rush Limbaugh took to the AM band; a prehistoric form of media on the verge of certain extinction and created a new dynasty. Successful people always get the questions, “what’s your secret?” but in the case of Rush wears it like a badge of honor. The answer is truth.
The mainstream problem isn’t that people just aren’t tuning in because they are on their PC it’s that they are really tuning out sources they just do not trust anymore. Mainstream America has filed for divorce from a philandering media that just can’t keep its’ pants on.
Why is it then that the smartest among; us are wonderful Republican politicians didn’t get the memo? They still act as if they have to play both sides to keep the media from distorting their positions. The problem with playing both sides is sort of like having a good friend who cheats on his wife. Pretty soon yours is going to suspect you are the same way toward her. People don’t like getting cheated by politicians or the media but the GOP isn’t convinced yet.
In the run up to the 2008 DNC primary front runners Clinton, Obama, and Edwards made a pact not to appear on Fox News. At the same time GOP contenders offered their candidacies up as sacrificial fodder for the mainstream spin masters. Well we all know how that one came out and there is a very simple lesson in it. When Democrats realized they had to allow some of their party big wigs to appear on Fox they were very careful as to whom they offered to put on the air. The GOP would be well served to call out the media on their double standards because ignoring them or simply trying to deal with it is a pseudo admission that the template is accurate when it is not.
Right now the overall public mood is centered on what the Republicans are going to do. So why allow your message to be distorted by sending Paul Ryan into ‘Deface the Nation’ when there is no upside to doing so? Look how long Oreilly waited for his promised interview with Obama he had to put a counter up on the screen for over a year before the president showed. Then when he did it was under strict guidelines with approved questions, in short Obama turned the Factor into a campaign commercial and Oreilly let him do it.
The GOP does not have a messaging problem we have an acceptance problem. When we accept the premise of the problem we can’t win the point and our overall message is inhibited. When GOP leaders go after out of control spending Democrats have a lot of catchy phrases but it all boils down to security.
Note to the GOP the American people don’t trust the media and when you hang out with them they start to look at you the same way. Quit reaching across the aisle because you’re blurring the lines let them come to us for a deal. We need to take their approach and up the ante every time not offer concessions theirs is a weakening position and we must exploit it to expose them.