Eric Boehlert: 'Dems in Disarray' -- the press targets Biden

[babylonsister]

https://pressrun.media/p/dems-in-disarray-the-press-targets

'Dems in Disarray' — the press targets Biden
Concocting controversy

Eric Boehlert
1 hr ago


Did you know President-elect Joe Biden has badly "botched" his cabinet picks? That a criminal probe "hangs over" his presidency, "potential family conflicts" may be a problem, and that party "factionalism" is threatening to doom his work? As Biden's orderly transition unfolds on track — in stark contrast to the previous four years of discord and confusion — most Americans wouldn't think that Democrats are in disarray. Yet that remains the press' preferred, long-running narrative about how Democrats are in a constant state of confusion and forever outsmarted by Republicans.

It's jarring that after covering the Trump White House for four years, where incompetence and lies were the hallmark, where staff turnover never paused and Trump tore up his staffing chart because he didn't like what someone said on Fox News, that the press is now leaning into the idea that the new Democratic administration is struggling to take shape, and that some kind of civil war has broken out inside the party.

The coverage clearly represents a desire by some outlets to create news; to create controversy where none really exists with the incoming administration. Addicted to the adrenaline rush of non-stop news during the Trump years, as he ransacked the White House and obliterated norms, the press seems hungry to continue that same news cycle pace. But Biden, like No Drama Obama, won't cooperate in terms of generating screaming headlines on a daily basis.

snip//

And there was this extraordinary Times passage [emphasis added]:

Even if Hunter Biden is ultimately not found to have violated any laws, the investigation could be problematic for a new president promising a clean break from the many conflicts of interest under his predecessor.

Talk about heads you lose, tails you lose. Trump's politicized Justice Department is investigating Biden's son, but even if no wrongdoing is found it's all bad news for Biden.

This is the kind of pretzel logic the press embraces when it's searching for Dems in Disarray storylines.

[UpInArms]

1. Agree with this writing 100%

I am sick to damn death of this crap ...

They let that freaking monster run amok since his nasty birtherism shit and now they want to attack the “Dems”?

F them all

[PatSeg]

22. Apparently many in the media haven't learned

a damn thing after the nightmare we've endured for the last four years. There are plenty of very real stories to report on, they don't need to create more. We've already gone through this with "her emails" and "Benghazi". The MSM is responsible in many ways for the monstrosity in the White House. Some in journalism need to consider a career change.

[uponit7771]

4. This is MAGA taking points with no facts backing then up or relative comparisons for perspective.

Why repeat then here?

Thx in advance

[cwydro]

6. Totally agree.

We don’t need this crap here.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

8. You misunderstand. OP quotes article against press for using R talking points. It's NOT making them.

It's good analysis supporting our contentions about media bias.

[zentrum]

7. Sadly I agree with you.

In politics, perception is everything.

[mjvpi]

16. I agree. Hunter Biden did nothing illegal. I'd debate shady....

.....by accepted rich white people standard. It was rich to have Trump, with his kids doing exactly the same things in a truly criminal manor, make this a talking point. As you said, the story wrote itself. Hunter Biden made a lot of money, not because he was an expert, but was put in a position to legally make tons of money because he was named Biden. However, the problem is he system and not Hunter Biden. Democrats should have countered these attacks by acknowledging that the system corrupt.

This issue, for me, highlights one of the reasons why I am a Democrat. Success should be earned not inherited.

[uponit7771]

3. Whoever wrote that Times article doesn't see the kGOP as a threat like most Americans

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. You misunderstand. Article supports our assertion that press continually overlooks GOP idiocy. . nt

[BComplex]

5. And the press needs to be hounded for all the mess it has created.

I'm so fucking sick and tired of the press in the USA. It's disgusting and disgraceful, for the most part. There are some awesome journalists in our country, and then there are the trash journalists.

It's the trash journalists AND journals/channels that need to be thrown out.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

10. +1. . . . nt

[UpInArms]

26. I remember ... back in 2001

watching Peter Jennings on the evening news ... after 911, he had exposed the shorting of airline stocks and linked it to Buzzy Krongard ... and said that he was going to continue to cover it and find the answers and tell the truth ...

well, he pretty much dropped that hot potato of a story and went on with other stuff ...

A while after that, I asked my mother (now passed) why Peter Jennings did not continue that investigation ... "wasn't it his JOB to tell us the truth?" ... mom's response has stuck with me ever since

"Peter Jennings will never see his job as telling the truth. He will always see his job as KEEPING HIS FACE ON THE TEEVEE SCREEN."

For me, it isn't how right or left these people are - it is the fact that they work for CORPORATIONS that have no desire for anything to change or get better for people. They only desire it to get better for the CORPORATIONS.

(end of rant)

[BComplex]

27. Good rant.

And so true!

[UpInArms]

28. will just offer up this link

Embattled State Department Inspector General Howard Krongard submitted his resignation Friday, forced out for allegedly impeding ongoing criminal investigations into the construction of a new, $740 million U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and security firm Blackwater Worldwide.

The State Department's inspector general is supposed to investigate criminal wrongdoing, audit contracts and inspect the agency's embassies and missions worldwide.

But current and former investigators told Waxman's committee that Krongard repeatedly blocked them from doing their jobs aggressively.

In an e-mail to his staff sent Friday and obtained by McClatchy, Krongard referred to the turmoil in his office. "I . . . ask you, frankly, to make an effort to reduce the static that interferes with the harmony we would like to achieve," he wrote.

In July 2007, Krongard ordered aides to halt work on an investigation of Blackwater arms smuggling to Iraq and demanded a meeting with Justice Department prosecutors. At that meeting, he disparaged the probe and ordered a close personal aide to keep tabs on it, according to e-mails obtained by the committee and U.S. officials.

Five days before Krongard met with Justice, Buzzy Krongard was offered the position on the Blackwater advisory board.

As of last week, Justice Department investigators still haven't received the State Department contract documents they requested, the officials said.

to think that trump has made GWB look like a statesman is yet another travesty.

[Bigredhunk]

11. TY

Boehlert's great!

[Cosmocat]

12. It is why we had a meglomaniac would be dictator foisted into the presidency

we really stand no chance as a country until the press drops this forced both siderism bullshit.

Yeah, Ds are not perfect by any means.

But, while they reflexively parrot the talking points Rs push out both bolstering them (tough on national security, fiscal conservatives, family values, all complete bullshit at this point) AND negatively framing Ds as america hating communist, socialist, tax and spending, god hating puppy beaters, in reality Ds are generally competent and well meaning while the republican party is a full on conspiracy theory adoring freakshow hell bent on remaking america into chrisofascist authoritarian.

[Pobeka]

13. There goes that liberal media again. Trashing conservatives and praising liberals no matter what.

[Native]

14. WE NEED MORE ERICS!

[Thekaspervote]

15. It's our job not to give this any voice, watch, read or forward this shit

[RVN VET71]

20. DU has to give voice to it

by which I mean, we all have to understand what the media is up to, and the only way to ensure that happens is to post about it here and other sites.

I disagree that we should ignore this shit. It is, I believe, important to read it, to put it in context, and to fight against it.

[c-rational]

23. +1

[NRaleighLiberal]

17. just turn it off! choke off its life blood...eyeballs, ad money

We are now 11 years TV free. We will never return.

[BobTheSubgenius]

18. It's an updated version of "Have you stopped beating your wife?"

And the press will go back to "business as usual" as soon as the transition takes place? Uh-huh. Every slight change in the wind becomes permanent...as long as it creates ratings and sales. Then it's off to find some fresher raw meat.

I'm thankful for the stalwarts who saw through the smoke and mirrors right at the beginning, and started pushing back 4 years ago. Imagine the disaster if they had all fallen in line!

[DeminPennswoods]

19. One of, iirc, Nicolle Wallace's guests yesterday

said that everyone who covers politics needs to stop the "bothsiderism" because Dems simply don't do what Trumpers/GOPers do.

[c-rational]

24. +1

[marieo1]

21. Media is to blame

I have always felt that the media is responsible for DJT. It didn't matter what DJT said even if it was lies or vindictive the press reported it as the truth. They could care less if it destroys our country and our democracy, they are desperate for any kind of news and never check if it is the complete truth and if they find out it is not truth, the press will never admit it and release an apology.

[c-rational]

25. +1

[speaknow]

29. 100 % correct so lets see why they look and

want to create situations. Well it's always about the
money. The ones at the top of the media company's
want to make money that's the goal. The more money
the they make the more they get bonus, that includes
the Anchors and others as well. Plus they all got the
big tax break 2 years ago. Have you herd they didn't
want the tax break, refused it, no. Have anyone ever
herd them complain they can't pay their rent ? don't
have enough money for food? no Can't go on vacation?
no, but they'll tell you how bad it is for others.

[Cha]

30. Fuck OFF "press" you're Fucking Craven

Idiots.