Confirmation Bias

[ProSense]

11. I made a similar point

"a tendency of people to favor information that confirms their beliefs or hypotheses."

...here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023657282#post62

It's an interesting phenomenon. I saw it during the debates and even at the DNC. There seems to be a lot of screaming by some, including in the media, whenever the administration is involved in any high profile action/activity. They whip themselves into a frenzy and come away convinced that their confusion is the administration's incompetence or inexperience. When it doesn't end in disaster, they deem it a lucky break for the President.

The problem with this approach is that minor mistakes are overhyped and rampant speculation becomes fact. The more detractors there are, the more frenzied the hype and speculation, which is why this situation is where it is today. A lot of people, and many in the media, love to take potshots at Obama, and Kerry brings some others into the mix.

I remember Kerry being asked to respond to some of the speculation that was being presented as fact. It's as if people expect the scenarios they create before they know the facts are to be treated by the administration as its problem. No, stop making shit up and pretending it's real.

Here's the deal: When it works out, and the President walks away having achieved his objective, he's got every right to take credit.