Pew Poll: Obama Has Too Much Media
[Guest post by DRJ]
A new Pew Research Center poll confirms many Americans believe Barack Obama has had too much press and it may be hurting his popularity:
“By a margin of 76% to 11% respondents in Pew’s weekly News Interest Index survey named Obama over McCain as the candidate they have heard the most about in recent days. But the same poll also shows that the Democratic candidate’s media dominance may not be working in his favor. Close to half (48%) of Pew’s interviewees went on to say that they have been hearing too much about Obama lately. And by a slight, but statistically significant margin – 22% to 16% – people say that recently they have a less rather than more favorable view of the putative Democratic nominee.”
Republicans are more likely to say they want to hear less about Obama, although 51% of independents felt they had heard too much and almost a third of Democrats agreed.
When it comes to advertising, almost 60% of Republicans and Democrats say they have seen a commercial for the candidates. Approximately a third of the respondents from both parties viewed Obama’s message as largely positive and McCain’s as largely negative.
— DRJ
So, everybody is tired of hearing about this guy, not just conservatives.
Icy Truth (383bff) — 8/6/2008 @ 8:16 pmWe call them “Clinton Supporters”… 🙂
Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec) — 8/6/2008 @ 8:17 pmCool topic, but I wonder if this is at all unusual. I imagine most folks, especially those who aren’t partisan, are sick and tired of this campaign in general, and think it’s been overcovered in many respects.
And after all, it’s not necessarily Obama’s fault the media loves him.
But if they are tired of hearing about OBama, that certainly defeats Obama and Sullivan’s claim that Obama’s poll trouble is because the independent voter has not heard about him.
Juan (4cdfb7) — 8/6/2008 @ 9:49 pmI don’t remember polling with this thrust in previous elections.
Another Drew (071b91) — 8/6/2008 @ 10:17 pmThis cannot be good news for Dems, or the Media.
I thought Celebrities liked publicity.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/6/2008 @ 10:25 pmAnother Drew,
I hate to sound like a broken record but I think it’s old-fashioned competition. Internet blogs opened the door but look at all the major media political blogs this year: The Washington Post’s TrailBlazer, the New York Times’ The Caucus, the LA Times/CNN Politico and CNN’s Political Ticker, CBS, NBC, and ABC’s The Note and Jake Tapper, the Chicago Sun-Times Lynn Sweet, not to mention the conservative options like the Weekly Standard’s blog, the Wall Street Journal, and National Review, and there are many more.
Whether they have liberal or conservative leanings, they are also competing for stories and there is a lot of competition these days. The faster newspaper readership and subscriptions decline, the more intense internet competition will become. In addition, I think the Obama-Clinton primary opened the floodgates and made it acceptable to take on a Democratic candidate. It may not last past the conventions but it’s hard to dam up water once it’s gone.
DRJ (9d1be2) — 8/6/2008 @ 10:27 pmPerhaps I was being too obtuse, but my point was not remembering a polling question such as the one presented.
Another Drew (071b91) — 8/6/2008 @ 10:51 pmDoes anyone else have data that shows polling in the past re the exposure of candidates?
Obama may have been able to stir people up during the primary season, but to make a comparison with a point from David Brooks’ recent NYT essay, when Obama taught at the University of Chicago Law School, “He was in the law school, but not of it.” He was popular with students, but not with the faculty.
Perhaps what is happening now is that the public is turning a more faculty-like gaze at the candidate and they are feeling uncertain about his deeper commitment. The more this campaign plays out, the more it seems that Obama’s campaign is all about him, but his history doesn’t show him as being as deeply invested in the country as he appears to be in his role.
Still many of Hillary Clinton’s supporters are feeling disenfranchised and left behind and Obama’s lack of substantive inclusive action to bring these factions of the party together have left a great deal of smoldering resentment in their wake. How is this guy going to work with congress when he seemingly can’t walk the walk of compromise and reconciliation within his own party? A life-long, dyed in the wool Democrat, but I am not moved by these events.
Jerome (8996db) — 8/6/2008 @ 11:24 pmAnother Drew,
I’m the obtuse one. No, I don’t remember any polling like this, especially by an organization like Pew. I think the unwritten rules have changed for the reasons I listed above.
DRJ (9d1be2) — 8/6/2008 @ 11:30 pmIsn’t this just another way of saying that the MSM is no longer able to boost Obama, to the point where it would be better for them to say nothing at all?
What they were doing worked against Hillary. It appears that their influence ends with the primaries.
Amphipolis (fdbc48) — 8/7/2008 @ 6:18 amI wonder what question was posed to gauge the new “too much coverage” metric – if it was “are you sick of hearing about O”, I would probably have said yes, too.
If they asked if O was getting too many column-inches, the answer has to be NO – he is just now starting to get the appropriate levels of attention. The media have saturated the public wth adoration-style coverage and the shiny paint is just beginning to chip on his vacuous platitudes.
Hopeful changiness indeed. I’d bet if you can break a few journalist-crushes with the man, you’d see real bile flow. Then the fight would truely be on between the Obama’s True Believer Progressives and the latter-day DLC Clintonistas, in time for the convention.
For me, that would move the situation past a buttered popcorn level spectator sport, into something requiring brandy, cigars and a lots of throaty laughter.
JSinAZ (1a4cd3) — 8/7/2008 @ 8:26 amOops – didn’t see the Obamessiah vs. Clintonista posting firther down – am preaching to the choir.
JSinAZ (1a4cd3) — 8/7/2008 @ 8:38 amDRJ – Please don’t confuse what I’m about to say as censorship.
I knew the supposed media love with Obama would back fire. I’ve been telling conservatives here that they should be happy that Obama is getting attention instead of focusing on McCain’s Gaffs.
Remember one thing. Liberals will tell you the media is too slanted to the right. Conservatives will tell you it’s slanted to the left.
I’m telling you the media as a machine is interested in a tie going into the home stretch.
What do we do when one team is leading by a large margin at the half during the super bowl?
Most of us tune out and stop watching the commercials. When it’s a tie going into the fourth quarter we stay tuned.
Media coverage of this presidential campaign will be the same.
Unless a candidate really, really puts his foot in his mouth, I expect a tie going into November.
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 8:39 amOn this point I will agree, but only because tight races lead to higher ratings…
But I really think anyone who is completely honest with themselves can look at the coverage between McCain and Obama, and say the news doesn’t slant in favor of Obama.
That is, of cource, the problem this poll shows. When you favor someone too much and give them too much screen time, you eventually get sick of them.
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 8/7/2008 @ 8:48 amScott, a new day brings peace. Yes we do agree.
Can you imagine the high ratings the 2000 election got? I wonder if commercials are going to be more pricey than ever on all networks come November if it’s a dead heat?
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 8:52 am“… It appears that their influence ends with the primaries…”
…the Dem Primaries; because those voters are the only ones who take the MSM seriously. The rest of us have either found alternative sources (the VRWC), or are very sceptical (indies).
Evan Thomas’ famous 15-points has disappeared into the ether, if it ever existed since the demise of control over the news exhibited in the day of the three networks, and the prime print media in the Boston/NY/DC corrider.
Another Drew (16e81f) — 8/7/2008 @ 8:58 amHas anyone addressed the validity of polls these days?
I would say about a quarter of my friends do not have land line telephones anymore. Could they still be polled on their cell phones?
If I’m the average person with 1 out 4 friends who possibly can’t be polled, then how could we trust any lead a candidate has from here on out?
It begs the question:
Will the losing side come this November accept defeat?
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:12 amYes, Oiram, will you accept defeat, AGAIN???
PCD (5c49b0) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:17 amLOL, yeah I will accept defeat PCD. Yes even if the supreme court tells me so. Even if the popular vote tells me the contrary.
Will you PCD?
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:20 amI even have a better question PCD.
I’m ready to hope and pray that McCain should he win will do a good job and lead this country correctly and lawfully.
Do you wish and hope the same should Obama win?
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:23 amWe pray constantly that should he win he does well…
The problem is, I’m not sure God can work miracles of that size…
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:29 am“The problem is, I’m not sure God can work miracles of that size…”
As long as you give Obama a fair chance (if he wins). I’m sure that’s all God asks.
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:33 amGood news, Obama is back on his populist America sucks, if you vote for me I can fix it schtick today. People just love that Barry and Michelle act.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:42 amdaley – Talking about how hard it is to keep fresh fruit in your house again?
JD (5f0e11) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:46 am#22 I’m sure Soros, Daley, Wright, Ayers, Dohrn, Hurricane Louie Farrakhan et al will repent their evil ass/corrupt/marxist ways and/or Barry Hussein will renounce them and govern in a “fair” fashion, no longer playing the class and race cards and not beholden to the various special interests classes of the modern day demoncrat party. Blue collar workers won’t be pressured to sign non-secret union organizing cards, military brass will actually be consulted, the UN won’t have its ass kissed or expect a special tax windfall from the American taxpayers and illegal immigrants will not be coddled or rewarded for bad behaviors??? Enquiring minds want to know. I’m ready to vote for youth and rid myself of cracker guilt if Barry will only PROMISE to do the right thing. Yeah, right.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 8/7/2008 @ 9:52 am#25 madmax
I could give you the same litany against McCain and his buddy G.W. but I’m sure you’ve heard it all before.
Your dooming Obama from the get go madmax #25
He could win you know.
I know you want what’s best for this country.
I’m going on record as saying should McCain win I’m going to hope for the best from him.
Hope you reciprocate………if not, there’s your anti American stance.
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:00 amOiram, While I would accept Obama as President, provided you Democrats DO NOT STUFF ANY BALLOT BOXES, I doubt Obama will govern lawfully. Look at the law breakers he used as mentors and freely associated with to move up the political ladder.
PCD (5c49b0) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:00 am#26 I think the likely default position in any Obama presidency that includes both houses of Congress (perhaps even a filibuster proof Senate) is hoepfully no worse than a Jimmy Carter redux or maybe McGovern 1. But who knows about unintended consequences. I don’t think buying into the wishes of the European elitists or the ANSWER crowd behooves well for most of America that actually works and obeys laws. Lots of potential for transfer of wealth from the ants to the grasshoppers, eh? Throw in more layers of federal bureaucratic lackeys to run a Socialized Health system that results in worse rationd care on order of Canada’s lame system. And don’t forget Obama’s proposed civilian brown shirt militia bigger than the armed forces.
madmax333 (0c6cfc) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:15 amThe differences in recent elections between Repub’s and Dem’s, is that while we recognize the rules and act accordingly, the Dem’s think that the rules should be re-written to acceed to their hoped-for outcome.
When AlGore went to court to change the rules in FL, the Bush position was that the rules should be applied equally to both parties, in all Counties of the State; and, that the rules cannot be changed after the game has begun – let alone concluded.
If BHO wins within the rules of the Electoral College, the GOP will recognize his victory. But, we will oppose his policies – policies that we believe are antithetical to individual freedom, economic progress, and to the security of the country – within the existing political process.
Remember, almost all violence against Presidents has been carried out by individuals of the Left, not the Right. We do believe in Law & Order (it’s not just a TV show).
Another Drew (16e81f) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:17 amShould Obama win I’m going to hope for the best from him.
I will not be holding my breath waiting for that to happen. In the speculative-fiction world we say that Fantasy contains elements (real magic, etc) that, based on our understanding of the universe, could not possibly occur in real life; Science Fiction contains elements that, although they may be highly improbable, are nonetheless considered to be possible. Given that, Obama has a chance — say one ten-duotrigintillionth of a percent (decimal point, 99 zeroes, then a one); what mathematicians call a googol (remember when googol/google was a number?).
Icy Truth (23d64b) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:19 amBy my count, 1 out of the last 4 comments were of a positive nature. (#’s 27, 28, 29 and 30). “Should Obama win I’m going to hope for the best from him.” #30
Thanks ICY TRUTH.
I don’t want to be partisan with this comment here.
Believe me I’m well aware of the fact that the left has the same sort of ratio. I’m the one in 4 that hopes for the best with McCain.
Don’t you all fear for this country with those sort of numbers? Providing it’s accurate, that’s 6 out of 8 passionate voters from both sides expecting the opponent to do wrong from the get go.
Where have you gone Joe Dimagio our nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you.
Oiram (983921) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:31 amI will wish him the best, and pray that he has a change of heart, again, about most of his policy positions.
JD (75f5c3) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:33 amAh woo woo woo…
Scott Jacobs (fa5e57) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:42 amWho else was watching “The Graduate” on DircTV last night?
Another Drew (16e81f) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:44 amAD,
I was watching “Black Gold” on TRU on my dish. I wish some Democrats starting with Obama on down to some of the Democrats here would watch and learn something.
PCD (5c49b0) — 8/7/2008 @ 10:52 amApproximately a third of the respondents from both parties viewed Obama’s message as largely positive and McCain’s as largely negative.
love2008 (0c8c2c) — 8/7/2008 @ 11:46 amEnough said.
Oiram – The people on this site are not whingeing about moving out of this country if Obama wins as many of the left threatened if Bush won in 2004. Unfortunately those people turned out to be typical lefty liars and did not keep their word.
daleyrocks (d9ec17) — 8/7/2008 @ 11:57 amLove’08,
It’s your team especially that is dissatisfied with America. Conservatives and libertarians have no trouble dissing Bush for his mistakes and domestic screw ups. As far as pride, we just don’t think like Michelle Obama. Thus, your conclusion is a mystery:
Why enough said. What is enough?
Vermont Neighbor (a066ed) — 8/7/2008 @ 12:02 pm#38
love2008 (0c8c2c) — 8/7/2008 @ 12:23 pmWhy are you confused VN? This post is about Obama having too much media and how that may be hurting him. Even if it is hurting him, the fact that majority of Americans, Reps and Dems inclusive, believe that his message is more positive than McCains’s says a lot to me. The “over-media” may be hurting him but it is also helping to cast him forth as a more positive candidate than McCain. Positive always wins. Negative, never. McCain has in trying to hurt Obama’s positive viewing, done more harm to himself.
#39
As you well know, nothing rides on one poll.
Actually, the opposite is happening. McCain can laugh at himself and, more importantly, he’s countered Obama’s false and negative ads (which flopped, by the way) with the use of humor. McCain’s video hits this month are at 4 million, double to Obama’s 2 million.
McCain media efforts amuse younger viewers
Basically boiled down:
Paris Hilton may think John McCain is just a “wrinkly white-haired guy,” but the Republican presidential candidate apparently has figured out the younger generation just fine. Over the past two weeks, his “celebrity” attacks have stomped Democratic presidential opponent Sen. Barack Obama in YouTube hits.
Mr. McCain has pumped out a series of brutal yet entertaining attack ads and Web videos mocking the press and Mr. Obama, and the combination of wit and insult has pushed his YouTube channel to the sixth most watched on the site this week. Mr. McCain has beat Mr. Obama’s channel for seven straight days and 11 of the past 14 days, in a signal he intends to compete for the YouTube vote.
Vermont Neighbor (a066ed) — 8/7/2008 @ 12:45 pmHas anyone addressed the validity of polls these days?
I would say about a quarter of my friends do not have land line telephones anymore. Could they still be polled on their cell phones?
If I’m the average person with 1 out 4 friends who possibly can’t be polled, then how could we trust any lead a candidate has from here on out?
Yes, they already thought of this, so they did polls on cellphone-only households for a while, too. The results didn’t differ.
Foxfier (97deae) — 8/7/2008 @ 5:55 pm