With one of the biggest and most important presidential elections coming to fruition in a matter of days, each candidate is nearing the end of a seemingly endless string of months on the campaign trail. It is really no secret that news organizations and periodicals usually tend to lean one way politically, with the conservative spin of Fox News network, or the liberal powerhouses that include magazines like Rolling Stone. Although trying their hardest to keep the title of an unbiased, moderate news source, it is usually pretty obvious as to which way a television network or news periodical tends to support. Barack Obama has graced the cover of Rolling Stone three times since March, while only a scathing political cartoon of John McCain as a bratty baby has been published. For this a
ssignment, I've taken a look at two articles about Barack Obama. One from the Fox News website, and one that is featured in the most current Rolling Stone magazine.Rolling Stone's article is actually an interview by Eric Bates called "Obama's Moment". This article is about 5 pages long, including multiple pictures showing Barack Obama in ways that most people are now familiar with...smiling, teaching, etc. After reading the interview, it is apparent that Obama is very positive. Even discussions about the tough issues like foreign affairs, the failing economy, and is opponent John McCain, show Obama as a very positive person. I think the interviewer did a great job of asking questions that cleared up some confusion that I'm sure many undecided voters had. Direct questions were met with direct, decisive answers of how things will actually get done.
There is some negativity, although it is mostly directed to the failed policies of President Bush. When asked about John McCain's mudslinging tactics in the past few months, Obama responded by saying that "I just think he wants to win" (Bates 2008). It seems as though Obama was comfortable answering all of the questions...like he wasn't backed into a corner or something.
But, upon further research, I have found that I have been fooled by this positivity! Jeffery Beeson writes that 68% of Barack Obama's ads are negative, while only 62% of McCain's are (Beeson 2008). Oh, the humanity! Woe is me!
I also read an article off of the Fox News website about John McCain's feelings toward Barack Obama. It is blatantly stated that John McCain does not think that Barack Obama will be able to protect the United States like he will be able to. He is quoted talking about the economy, and how Barack Obama's plan will raise all of our taxes to the point where the economy will get even worse. There is talk about a few of his plans...but only the hopeful result of them...not how they will actually be achieved. Other than that this whole article seems negative. Like an attack on Barack Obama and is plans for America (McCain 2008).
As opposed to the Rolling Stone Obama article, the article on Fox New's website does not have any pictures, although it does have a comment section where people can instantly reply and discuss their feelings about the article, or the subject matter. In looking at these comments, there are two that are anti-McCain, and one that is pro. I found this interesting based on the fact that I was looking at an article that was based in conservative ideals, within a news source that has known to skew information to the right. I was expecting to see a bunch of pro-McCain comments.
Next week we will have a new president. There will never be an agreement of who should have the job. It's absolutely ludicrous to think that we are a unified nation. We are not, and this election year has proved it to me. McCain is currently down in the polls, but he vows to get back up towards Barack Obama's numbers (GMA 2008). Either way, I'd like to hope for the best, and hope that whoever wins realizes the dire need for a selfless leader who will do the right thing for the country and not themselves or their constituents.
Sources:
1) Bates, Eric. "Obama's Moment". Rolling Stone. 30 October 2008. Issue 1064, Pgs 74-81.
2) "McCain Doubts Obama Has 'What it Takes' to Protect America". Accessed via Foxnews.com. Accessed on 31 October 2008. http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/10/29/mccain-doubts-obama-takes-protect-america/.
3) Beeson, Jeffery. "Presidential Candidates' Television Ads Most Negative In History". Published 30 October 2008. Accessed via Eurekalert.org. Accessed on 31 October 2008. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-10/uom-pct103008.php.
4) "McCain Promises to Overtake Obama Lead." Publised 31 October 2008. Accessed via Gmanews.tv. Accessed on 31 October 2008.http://www.gmanews.tv/story/130701/McCain-promises-to-overcome-Obama-lead.
