Media Stenography Watch

Reporters have two problems: They're liberal, and they're lazy.

Before the SOTU, Obama's people leaked portions of the script. They announced to the media the tone they were seeking was "optimistic" and "Reaganesque," so the media would understand the tone they heard after they'd heard it.

They'd actually given the media its story for them.

I joked in the live-blog that we'd soon be seeing the headlines...

NYT: IN A SOARING, OPTIMISTIC SPEECH RECALLING REAGAN...

Whoopie Goldberg: That was so optimistic. Joy Behar: Almost Reaganesque.

Time: In a 65 minute speech brimming with optimism and Reaganesque flourishes...

Washington Post: Although Republicans sat on their hands throughout, Obama's mood was light and optimistic throughout the speech. At times, one might have mistake him for another Great Communicator -- Ronald Reagan.

Brian Willims: Certainly it was one of his most optimistic, Reagan-like performances...

Those were jokey semi-predictions. But here's the reality, at The Hill.

Confident Obama Struts His Stuff

A relaxed, confident Barack Obama hit a pitch-perfect high note last week at the famed Apollo Theater in New York.

President Obama sang, “I’m so in love with you” — from Al Green’s hit “Let’s Stay Together” — and showed the world just how comfortable — if not sanguine — he is as he heads into the election year.

Note a lot of these words, like sanguine, just mean optimistic.

....

Both public appearances illustrate the assuredness and moxie the president has exhibited in his quest for another term. They also highlight a stark contrast with Mitt Romney, who has appeared unconfident and downright clunky in recent weeks, as he has dealt with a series of missteps having to do with his wealth and income tax filings.

Observers say it’s probably no coincidence a seemingly self-satisfied (and singing!) Obama has emerged in recent weeks, given a string of political victories and signs the economy is improving.

“Their internal polling is probably showing that things have steadied a bit and is giving him a bit of a boost,” said Tobe Berkovitz, a professor at Boston University who specializes in political communications.

Their internal polling is probably showing that??!!

What if I drew the opposite conclusion and said it's probably showing him doing horribly with independents, the same as public polls? And so they had attempted to change the story by projecting "Reaganesque" "optimism"?

Could I get quoted in The Hill for my "probably"?

Of course not; Obama told them which story to write, and they're writing it.

I didn't watch the coverage to see if my optimistic/Reaganesque joke became the reality. If you noticed, please let me know, include the link or the quotes.

posted by Ace at 10:54 AM

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