Should RNC ramp up new alternative media to blunt bias?

Content on C-Span’s pages illustrates the great divide between the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee when it comes to traditional media. Check out glowing accounts above the fold of theDNC, including Sen. Obama’s performance at Invesco Field. Then check out the negative blogs as well as a discussion among mostly left-leaning journalists above the fold, top left on the RNC page. For a lot of fun, check out the video at the end of this column.

Already some media is gunning for Sen. John McCain’s running mate Gov. Sarah Palin, but they’re not gunning for the candidate.  Blog site Daily Kos stooped to a new all-time low—and I mean a low low—of attacking Palin’s teen daughter. If you recall, some traditional media and some in the blogosphere did the same thing to Chelsea Clinton. If you don’t think Kos is mainstream, you’re quibbling over technology. Kos is the unofficial media arm for Obama supporters.There's much to be said for the seamy side of DNC politics, though.

Traditional media screams hands off when it comes to controversial remarks and actions by Obama’s family and friends, yet views it as perfectly fine to assail a 17-year-old because her mother is a Republican—a great example of the descent of media’s moral compass. In my inbox this morning, Politico sent breaking news about Palin’s daughter. What does Palin’s daughter have to do with the business of running this country?

Very little has been made of Sen. Joe Biden’s son’s lobbying efforts—the same lobbyists Obama reportedly disdains. Obama disdains them so much his running mate’s son, according to Bloomberg, lobbied for clients that paid his firm at least $380,000 in the first six months of this year, federal records show.

Only the National Enquirer had the nerve to track down John Edwards’ romantic entanglements. Traditional media fawned all over the guy who might have been president or vice-president during a TV network interview.

Many left wing bloggers are already finding fault with the GOP’s move to help charities in areas affected by Hurricane Gustav. I pointed out in another column this may be the first time in American history that a major political party has diverted yearly convention resources to helping people affected by a natural disaster.

On Monday the RNC issued an announcement saying senior Republican officials have begun the first day of relief efforts aimed at assisting the people of the Gulf States. As part of these efforts, the 2008 Republican National Convention has partnered with Target, FedEx and the Red Cross to assemble and send 80,000 "comfort packages" to affected residents. Hopefully, traditional media will at least give a nod to the fact the RNC is trying to do something constructive.

Meanwhile Obama’s busy campaigning. Just as the Democratic mayor and then Democratic governor stood by during Katrina, Obama isn't interested in Gustav. The Plain Dealer (Ohio) reported: “The Democratic presidential nominee appeared with his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden, at an invitation-only town meeting where Obama took about a half-dozen questions, all pertaining to the economy and education.”

The good news is that Red State says Democratic cheerleader Keith Olberman has been pulled from covering the RNC—he’s been diverted to cover Gustav. Olberman should be right at home with the hefty winds a hurricane brings—two windbags in the same spot. I don’t know anyone who watches MSNBC anyway. We can’t get the channel even with cable here in Jacksonville.

Meanwhile, indicted congressman William Jefferson, made famous by holding $90,000 from an FBI sting in his freezer, plans to run for a 10th term. The Chicago Tribune reported: “While campaigning for a new term, Jefferson also is preparing for a December federal trial in Virginia on allegations that he took bribes, laundered money and misused his congressional office for business dealings in Africa. He is accused of taking about $500,000 in bribes and travel expenses and about 34 million shares of corporate stock.” How about an Obama-Biden quote on that? You’re not likely to see one in traditional media. Did I mention Pelosi tapped Jefferson for the Homeland Security Committee?  I guess that's not so bad when you consider the head of the Senate Appropriations Committee is a former KKK member.

TV networks should do what newspapers do—come right out and admit you’re for a specific candidate. At least bloggers are honest about political affiliations.

That traditional media endorses Obama should be disclosed to viewers, not as a matter of regulation but as a matter of ethics. The Illinois senator has certainly received the lion’s share of donations from traditional media.

 Media has become nothing more than a de facto lobbyist for the DNC.
_________________________________

Video: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) thinks Homeland Security Committee is “an appropriate place” for Rep. Jefferson to be. Maybe she did that because he kept that $90,000 in marked bills safe?