January 20th is approaching fast. The flags have been placed on the US Capitol. The celebrities have been dispatched. And very shortly, President-elect will embark on a whistle-stop train ride that will culminate with the hyphen and word "elect" being removed from his title.
Rather than symbolizing the beginning of a media honeymoon, we have been in one since probably last spring. January 20th will just be another day in the continuing fixation of networks and print media with Barack Obama. The question is: how long will this honeymoon last? When will the tough questions roll in?
This incoming president has a lot on his plate already. His judgment will be tested quite a bit. It's up to Americans to challenge him when they will feel at odds with him. That is the media's job too. To give the President of the United States a free pass is like giving him a crown.
An opposition is a critical part of a democratic system. It serves as a reminder that a democracy is a competition of ideas and that no ideas have unanimity over others. Obama's ideas are wrong on many things. He deserves to be challenged.
The media until now save for Fox News has handed Obama a crown and made him King of the United States. They have let down the very democratic system that has allowed them to function and thrive in. It's time for them to serve the American public by voicing dissent when it is meritted. To acknowledge that King Obama is not always right.
The implication of giving Obama a crown now can be critical. There is a $350 billion package to be allocated. There is a war in the Middle East. He is planning on closing Guantanamo without regard to the consequences and the same goes for the War in Iraq. Where is the critical analysis? I know the president gets a honeymoon for the first 100 days but perhaps in this situation, critical thinking and analysis on the media's part is seriously needed. Enough giving Obama a free pass.
Well Said! I wouldn't hold your breath on criticism of Obama from the media unless he, faced with difficult decisions, becomes more like Reagan than Carter. If he stays on his leftward track, the Media will blame all catastrophe on someone else. This is why WE must be the watch dogs on Obama's admin.
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