The Media Mirage

It is really interesting that the media is focusing on the democratic primary as if they are unsure who the winner will be. Apparently, according to a depressing Politico article, “Hillary Rodham Clinton has no chance of winning” and the media is just taking us along for a ride. As a Hillary supporter, I was very hurt by this statement (he didn’t need to say it like THAT – RIGHT there in the beginning) but painful as it is to say, the author’s insights seem to be solid.

Even Clinton’s campaign acknowledges that she has a slim chance of victory; less than 10 percent, according to one important Clinton adviser. So why take us along for the ride? Why fill us with hope? And moreover, if the extended races are causing so much damage to the party in preparation for November, why won’t the media focus more on unofficially declaring a winner and create news from that? That way, the Democrats can begin to accept the loss and recover.

The authors attribute this “game of make believe” to a few factors. Firstly, the media strays away from predictive reporting in fear of embarrassment. However, the numbers make it pretty clear, and it is quite possible to make a well-grounded prediction based in real numbers (delegates and superdelegate count) at this point. Secondly, the media loves a good story, and the suspense is good for business. But can’t they make good business by supporting something more truthful? Can’t they still write while acknowledging the true facts? Lastly, the Clinton campaign has done an excellent job in overestimating her chances while focusing on his Rev. Wright drama and questioning Obama’s electability. This contributes to the perception that the race is less predictable than it actually is.

I can accept that Clinton is not likely to win – not kind of “not likely,” VERY “not likely.” And that news changes my perspective a lot. Am I the only one who just didn’t put it together? Should I not be surprised? Nevertheless, I don’t appreciate that the media is failing to acknowledge this “little” fact. It isn’t fair for the media to frame the status of this race in a misleading way. This is not entertainment – I can read a novel of go to a movie for that. This is real life.