Eric Boehlert: The press is desperate for a horse race

[babylonsister]

The press is desperate for a horse race
Thumbs on the scale
Eric Boehlert
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On Sunday, The New York Times released fresh polling data from four swing states. The results were so good for Democrat Joe Biden that his campaign may have allowed itself a cautious smile or two — Biden had huge lead in Minnesota, and was ahead in Wisconsin, Nevada, and New Hampshire. Accompanying the polling article, the Times published a political snapshot from each of those four states. But the snapshots read much differently than the polling results, as the Times seemed to lean hard into the idea that Biden was slumping.

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This year’s not-so-dirty secret: The campaign press desperately wants to tell an exciting election season story. Journalists like to create storylines, tension, compelling characters, and relay wild plot twists. More excitement means a larger audience —the press wants a horse race because it’s way more entertaining. And for most campaigns over the last 25 years, the media have been blessed with lots of nail-biting and historic battles. Not so much in 2020, where the contest has remained locked in a stubborn holding pattern, and shows no signs of budging soon.

"For all of this year’s upheaval, the race has stayed relatively stable, with Biden comfortably ahead in national polls," Politico recently conceded. “The fact is the presidential race is kind of boring from a polling standpoint right now,” added Nate Silver at fivethirtyeight.

The problem with that scenario is it produces relatively boring content. How often can news outlets report, "Biden Maintains Comfortable Lead"? The temptation for the press is to put their thumbs on the scale for Trump in the hopes of marketing a closer race.

It's an outgrowth of Both Sides journalism, which suggests if the Trump campaign is lagging, which it clearly is, that means Biden's run must be facing big obstacles, too. Which, of course, makes no sense since a two-person campaign is, by definition, a zero sum event. Both campaigns can't be struggling at the same time.

"Why Biden could still lose the suburbs to Trump," Politico announced last week, leaning hard on provoking Democratic anxieties with a click-bait headline. It's true that Biden "could" lose the suburbs, but it's also much more likely he'll win them.

more...

https://pressrun.media/p/the-medias-desperate-attempt-to-create

[beachbumbob]

1. captain obvious

[brooklynite]

2. In that case, they're doin a lousy job...

...every day they report the latest polls showing Biden continually ahead.

[Retrograde]

3. Of course - it sells more ad time (n/t)

[LizBeth]

4. What is wrong with a boring race in a time of mess and chaos and destruction and calamity?

We have EARNED a boring race.

[The Magistrate]

5. They Could Get Better Ratings, Ma'am

By laying into the cheap thug every day and hour, calling him a liar, a multiple bankrupt, a corrupt and corrupting thief, a whore-monger, an asset of Kremlin intelligence, a serial rapist, a cheat, and a raving imbecile.

That's something people want to hear, and the squawks from the Tweet stream, and from the shit-heels who imagine him the second coming of the Messiah would be extremely entertaining.



"For two thousand years evangelicals have warned of the coming anti-christ, and when he finally arrives, damn if they don't up and vote for him."

[Bantamfancier]

6. But they are getting a horse race,

it’s the 1973 Belmont Stakes and

Joe is moving like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE!

[LakeArenal]

7. We on DU have remained confident of Joe's won.

Even on here we are called over confident.

There are doom and gloom posts here all the time.

Joe is winning. Period. Everyone do their work.