Friends, it is important to know that millions of rank and file Democrats are concerned about Biden’s health and/or his ability to beat Trump. Accusing them of wanting a Trump victory is neither accurate nor honest. We have to be the party where people can freely express concerns about Biden — otherwise, we risk degenerating into the current Republican situation, where all dissent has been quashed. 1/
@heidilifeldman Yep, and blaming the media for reporting on what many Democrats are genuinely concerned about is also a very Trumpian tactic that we need to avoid adopting.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Which MSM outlets have pushed (for weeks) for Trump to drop from the race because he was found to be a rapist? Or because he was found guilty of dozens of felonies?
Rapist vs "too old" are not remotely equivalent.
It's absolutely proper to criticize journalists and media outlets who don't see rape & felonies as worse than old age.
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman Three democratic congressman have called for Biden to step down. That doesn't happen unless a *lot* of normal people and political people are talking about it. It would be journalistic malpractice not to cover the issue.
But, yeah, as Trump (and now some liberals) has found, it's often easier to blame the media than to participate in introspection.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Why did you avoid my question?
Or, do you agree with the media that being too old is worse than rape?
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman If you haven't figured out by now that Republicans are perfectly happy to elect a rapist convict, then I don't know what to tell you.
More importantly, the reason people are calling for Joe to drop out is specifically because they don't think he has what it takes to defeat the rapist convict.
If a big bully at school is screwing with you and the kid you hired to protect you is too weak to handle it, you don't ask the bully to drop out. You fire the kid you hired and elect a tougher one.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
You still didn't answer my question.
Let me try again. (As a reminder, you were stated that people who are "blaming the media" are using a "Trumpian tactic." My question was a direct response to that.)
The question is:
"Which MSM outlets have pushed (for weeks) for Trump to drop from the race because he was found to be a rapist? Or because he was found guilty of dozens of felonies?"
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman The answer is the same as it is to the question "Which newspapers reported a fart in the wind?"
What's next? Are you going to demand that they all carry exclusive stories about how "water is wet"?
The bottom line is that Republicans aren't concerned about these things. They won't call for their candidate to drop out over those issues. Newspapers demanding Trump drop out are like newspapers demanding the sky change color. We *all* already know he's a shitty person. The only personal question left is whether that's a selling point or a warning sign.
If you can't understand why the news only reports on what's newsworthy, then I can't help you.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
You still didn't directly answer the question, so I will. The answer is zero.
Zero MSM outlets for wks called for Trump to drop from the race when he was found to be a rapist or when he was found guilty of dozens of felonies.
And your odd point that the media should *only* call for Trump to drop out if his base wants him to drop is moot.
It's moot because the MSM outlets started pushing Biden to drop *the night of the debate.* They had NO voter input.
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman Lol, really? I was watching it live. They were all on their phones getting texts from scared campaigners and voters and friends.
> Voter feedback takes days.
Lol, no it doesn't. You ask a room of people to raise their hands in response to questions. It takes seconds, and it's only a little less reliable than a massive phone bank.
> You started by slamming people who criticize MSM as "Trumpian." Not because it's a rational, explainable position, but because you agree with MSM about Biden.
I criticize the belief that the media are the cause, rather than the effect, of Biden's unpopularity as being "Trumpian" because, yes, that's exactly the tactic Trump has used.
If the media reports that your candidate is weak, you have a choice. You can either try to deal with that weakness, whether it be perception or reality, or you can complain about how the media isn't focusing on your opponents' weaknesses and they're all part of a conspiracy against your side. Which do you think is the best approach?
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Sigh.
Yes, campaign people. Senate people. Political establishment. *NOT* voters. Voter feedback takes days.
In sum: You started by slamming people who criticize MSM as "Trumpian." Not because it's a rational, explainable position, but because you agree with MSM about Biden. Thus, you attack people who disagree with you by likening them to a rapist & felon and his ilk. Maybe not the best approach.
I'll save us both some time & end the convo here. Take care.