And ‘Bitter’ Modifies…?
Obama coasted to victory in both Wisconsin and Hawaii today. The Age, in its increasing sensitivity and class, posted this lede for their story:
Things have, I suppose, been getting a bit tense between the Clinton and Obama camps the last couple days. But notice how the Age isn’t calling the rivalry bitter, but rather the candidate herself. Those are two very different sentiments, espeically in conjunction with the ‘pummels’ above. It paints Obama as a strong fighter and Clinton a malevolent spoilsport.
There are plenty of words one might use to describe the campaign, even unflattering ones, but using ‘bitter’ to describe the candidate is an overreach.
Then again, I’m just pleased something of relative substance made it onto the front page of the site. It’s not cricket, sex or scandal-related. Amazing.
Note to the Age: People are talking about the precipitous downward slide of theage.com.au. Getting pretty deep out there, guys.
Also, it’s ‘pummels’.
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February 21st, 2008 at 10:29 am
i was going to blog a few days ago on media and election bandwagoning. i was driven into a tizzy by some democratic something-or-other on some news station we were picking up in Hobart. This guy’s distaste for Clinton was barely concealed as he essentially tells millions of American viewers that “Hillary” doesn’t have a chance and “Senator Obama” will sweep his way to victory. I think a lot of people aren’t even realizing the effects that their language has on the framing of the campaign for audiences. I think a lot do, though, and are actively attempting to sway public opinion to align with their own. It hurts to watch.
February 21st, 2008 at 10:37 am
And that is something we’ll be exploring in a little thing I like to call ‘my thesis’. Did I mention I had a working title?
HRC and the Primaries: Chris Matthews Is a Dingbat.
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 am
there was a lovely headline on cnn yesterday, “McCain, Clinton double-team Obama”
February 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 am
I think the ‘bitter rival’ phrasing is supposed to keep up the boxing allusion from the ‘pummell’ of the headline.