Splicetoday

Politics & Media
Aug 28, 2008, 10:41AM

In Context, No Clinton Controversy

If you've been following the media reporting on Hillary Clinton's role at this week's Democratic convention, you'd think the fact that her name was placed in nomination was some kind of egotistical power grab. It's not. In the often contentious history of Democrat party nominations, allowing candidates to control their own delegates and let their voices be heard is nothing new. Too bad the media's more interested in drama than history.

Fact: Many in the press have portrayed Clinton's planned convention address, as well as the fact that her name is being placed into nomination, as an unprecedented, heavy-handed power grab.

Fact: It's not. In years past, Democratic candidates who won lots of primaries and accumulated hundreds of delegates (sorry, Howard Dean and Bill Bradley) have always been allowed to address the convention and very often place their name into nomination. It's the norm. It's expected. It's a formality.

This newly manufactured media attack on Clinton is just the latest in a long line of press grenades thrown her way this year. But this time, she's not the only victim, because the media's concocted story line is being used to unfairly skewer Barack Obama, too.

...

What's so startling in watching the coverage of the Clinton convention-speech story has been the complete ignorance displayed about how previous Democratic conventions have dealt with runners-up like Clinton. It's either complete ignorance or the media's strong desire to painstakingly avoid any historical context, which, in turn, allows the press to mislead news consumers into thinking Clinton's appearance (as well as the gracious invitation extended by Obama) represents something unique and unusual. Something newsworthy.

Discussion
  • Jeez, Eric Boehlert really has a burr up his butt about Hillary. Of course the press has its own plans on how to cover the campaign. What else is new? Clinton (and her husband) ran a dirty campaign against Obama, and the media felt betrayed. Boehlert's right, of course, that Hillary was not only entitled, but earned a prime spot in the convention after winning so many votes, but anyone who thinks she's pulling for Obama to win is deluding themselves. She's setting up for 2012, with her husband behind her.

    Responses to this comment

Register or Login to leave a comment