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Obama Losing Battle of Old Media, New Media

New media derails dream of new politics

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 9, 2009 3:50 PM CDT

(Newser) – Barack Obama burst onto the scene as a unifying figure, someone who was supposed to end divisiveness and transform political dialogue. But these days, the rancor is as high as ever, and an administration known for its new-media savvy is taking it on the chin regularly from the blogosphere and social networking sites, write John F. Harris and Jonathan Martin for Politico. What's more, Obama’s top foes are immune to the normal tools—most of which fall in the "old media" category—at a president’s disposal.

“The true impact of party leadership is declining every day, compared to the power of blogs and talk radio,” said one Democratic pollster. “It was surprising that Obama and company were caught unaware by this.” While top Obama aides focus on major broadcast new outlets and newspapers, the likes of Glenn Beck and Matt Drudge have attacked with impunity, unconcerned with reasoned debate. Obama can’t attack them without diminishing himself, and raising free speech objections.

[Images (1)]

[Quotes (2)]

In this July 27, 2004, file photo Senate candidate Barack Obama, who speaks to delegates during the Democratic National Convention in Boston. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

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It is clear that simply ignoring what West Wing aides sometimes dismiss contemptuously as “cable chatter” is not a wise option. - John Harris and Jonathan Martin

Obama is the only modern Democrat to take on the right-wing noise machine and win — and he has done so repeatedly. - a senior White House official

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 17 comments

riffran

Sep 10, 2009 12:43 PM CDT

Yep those few "last dwindling republican dinosaurs" are the blame for the failing popularity of the dems empty suit that the *ahem* rest of the country supported with that " landslide" victory. Lol. Wake up liberals...... Good honest democrats and republicans everywhere are smelling the bullshit. And "WE THE PEOPLE" don't like it. Why oh why doesn't PBO and princess pissloopy just pass that trash? They have enough votes as the word goes. So what is the problem??????

prowlerzee

Sep 10, 2009 5:34 AM CDT

Yes, the media, from print to online to television, is run by the rich conservative elite. But what are the progressive Dems' excuses? NOW's excuses? Where is MS Magazine? Not ONE pundit will bring up Zerobama's continuation of Bush's "conscience" law. So asswipe male pharmacists can decide not to dispense legal morning-after pills to young women in need. And where is the OUTRAGE that Zero is promising these modern-day Puritans that we will stick our big fat noses up our fellow citizens' vaginas and invade her privacy so these throwbacks can ensure that none of their money will go for the legal procedure of abortion!? what happened to rule of law and America, love it or leave it? You don't like the fact that abortion is legal? Don't let the door hit you in the ass as you leave this country, then! But no....spineless Zero caters to these freaks and NO. ONE. CALLS. HIM. ON. IT. Not one person. So! May I send the unzipped fly swat team in and refuse to fund Viagra for the aging limpdick losers? Goose, gander.

aces08

Sep 10, 2009 2:58 AM CDT

Obama needs to be more assertive. Only reason i don't like him is he is always giving into the republicans for negotiations. I hate to say it but i saw it from the beginning. He just needs to say how he feels and explain why we need it. Stop dancing around issues.

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Obama Losing Battle of Old Media, New Media