A brave new media world
I predict that one of the more interesting elements of this next presidency will come from the availability of "new media," as politicians from both sides find themselves caught up in their hypocrisy as they contort themselves from support/opposition to opposition/support of the Obama presidency.
The accessibility of the public record is so very different in 2009 than in 2001. Unlike in the past where only big media could scan the archives, or the contrasts were all in print, we now have all these politicians on video attacking/defending the Bush presidency.
When Obama makes a move and Congressman X says it's a rampant abuse of power, the bloggers will now be able dig out that old video of the Congressman defending Bush doing the exact same thing. When Senator X says Republicans in the minority are being obstructionist, up will pop a video of that Senator claiming the importance of opposition.
This will work both ways, against both sides, but I think it will be very different. For the first time, we won't have to wait for Meet the Press to do the contrast. For the first time, the bloggers will have a video record.
(As a side bet, who will be the first Republican to utter the word "impeach?")
The accessibility of the public record is so very different in 2009 than in 2001. Unlike in the past where only big media could scan the archives, or the contrasts were all in print, we now have all these politicians on video attacking/defending the Bush presidency.
When Obama makes a move and Congressman X says it's a rampant abuse of power, the bloggers will now be able dig out that old video of the Congressman defending Bush doing the exact same thing. When Senator X says Republicans in the minority are being obstructionist, up will pop a video of that Senator claiming the importance of opposition.
This will work both ways, against both sides, but I think it will be very different. For the first time, we won't have to wait for Meet the Press to do the contrast. For the first time, the bloggers will have a video record.
(As a side bet, who will be the first Republican to utter the word "impeach?")
posted by mikevotes at
6:39 AM
3 Comments:
My first pick would be Limbaugh.
On the print dunderpundit side, I can't decide between Kristol if they let him keep his gig at NYT or Hugh Hewitt. Only sure bet is that Insty will link to whoever it is and say, Heh.
Politicians, I guess McConnell is as good a bet as anyone. That field is too big for me to choose.
By
Libby Spencer, at 9:54 AM
You mean nuance? Grey areas? Yikes that will give people some headaches.
By
Anonymous, at 10:40 AM
My bet is some southern GOP Congressman we haven't heard of. You know the guy. Once his name is out there, suddenly we'll hear all these other extreme positions he's held.
.....
Anon, Always does.
I just keep thinking about all the Repubs who defended Bush's executive power claims and wonder what they'll say about Obama. Or the Dems who attacked Bush policies who will be on the spot when Obama takes on some or part of them.
It's going to be very weird.
By
mikevotes, at 1:05 PM
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