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Mainstream Media Bias on 2020 Democratic Race Already in High Gear
Cohen, Jeff
http://www.counterpunch.org/2019/01/15/mainstream-media-bias-on-2020-democratic-race-aDate Written: 2019-01-15 Publisher: CounterPunch Year Published: 2019 Resource Type: Article Cx Number: CX23370 Mainstream media pundits undermine the chances of progressive candidates like Bernie Sanders despite the defeat of centrist politicians by the right. Abstract: -- Excerpt: If genuinely progressive pundits were present in mainstream media, they'd argue that anti-corporate, populist candidates are often better positioned to win a large portion of swing voters. By definition, swing voters are not heavily political, partisan or ideological; they are assuredly not activists for feminism or Black Lives Matter. But in 2016, Bernie never shrank from his strong support of civil rights, abortion rights and gay rights (arguably stronger than Hillary on those issues), and he was capable of winning swing votes that Hillary could not. Yet in major news outlets, the truism remains that "moderate Democrats" (meaning corporate-cozy, non-populists) have a better chance of winning in swing states or districts. Let’s be clear: One reason mainstream journalists were so wrong about the 2016 election is because they are largely divorced from poor and working-class voters of all races. They seem especially clueless about "non-college-educated whites." Which may explain their obsession with a group of swing voters they can better relate to: "moderate Republicans in the suburbs." Subject Headings |