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Fawning Press Glosses Over Obama's Agenda

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 1, 2009 8:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama has enchanted the media more than any president this side of Jack Kennedy, writes Robert Samuelson of the Washington Post. A recent Pew study concluded that Obama had enjoyed “substantially more positive media coverage,” than either Bush or Clinton during their first months. “On the whole, this is not healthy for America,” Samuelson opines, because Obama’s vast agenda isn’t being questioned.

Obama “envisions the greatest growth of government since Lyndon Johnson.” But no one’s asking if those proposals are practical. “All ‘reforms’ do not succeed,” Samuelson points out. “The press should not be hostile, but it ought to be skeptical.” Instead it’s fawning, in part because Obama is popular, but mostly for one simple reason: “Most journalists like Obama.”

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (2)]

Kristin Aldridge of West Chester, PA., surveys an array of glossy magazines featuring President-elect Obama and his family on their covers at a Penn Station news stand in New York, Jan. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

President-elect Barack Obama is shown on the cover of People magazine on a New York newsstand Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

This image supplied by Time Magazine, shows the cover of the magazine's December 29, issue naming President-elect Barack Obama as their "Person of the Year" for 2008. (AP Photo/ TIME)

In this Jan. 21, 2009 file photo, a newspaper vendor displays the New York Times and a magazine featuring President Barack Obama, in downtown Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

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The press has become Obama's silent ally and seems in a state of denial. - Robert J. Samuelson

Most journalists like Obama; they admire his command of language; he's a relief after Bush; and they don't want to see the first African American president fail. - Robert J. Samuelson

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 7 comments

foodchain11

Jun 2, 2009 1:25 AM CDT

I'm sorry but we are a country divided, thanks to Atwater/Rove strategies and I've had all I can stand of cowboys, southerners and Appalachians thinking they can run a world they don't understand. They understand their rural past and how they want their lives to be but that isn't where the world is. PLEASE just stop talking and start learning!

SBS

Jun 1, 2009 7:29 AM CDT

I have to agree with the article. The press should examine and critique all persons of power, Democrat or Republican, President, Senator or Congressman. They did not so for Bush following 9/11 when they should have. They should not let Obama have a free pass either.

ClingingToHope

Jun 1, 2009 3:15 AM CDT

Socialism and fascism are not new. They have always failed. Just b/c you have a new suit (Chairman Barry) doesn't make them any better.

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