How many votes will the media get for Obama this time?

[Vepres]

Amazing that people still believe those old communication theories from the 1940ies which were empirically disproven numerous times since then.

People aren't "Obama-friendly" because of "Obama-friendly" media. People who are "Obama-friendly" are choosing to read/watch "Obama-friendly" media in order to get their already existing opinion confirmed. People who are "Obama-hostile" are going to avoid "Obama-friendly" media for the most part. And people who are neutral/undecided are probably aware of the fact that "Obama-friendly" coverage is "Obama-friendly". And if they're fed up with "Obama-friendly" coverage, they're going to look elsewhere (zapping between MSNBC and Fox News, for instance).

The bottom line is: Media coverage can very well be biased. However, the effect of media coverage on voting behavior is at best largely overrated... and at worst a myth. Today this is truer than in any time in history, because of numerous "alternative" forms of communication and information, such as the Internet.

Did you see the Pew study where Obama's coverage was twice as positive during his first 100 days then either Bush or Clinton. Not only that, but many focused on his leadership and personal qualities, instead of policy.

I know many people who receive news from sources different than their ideology. And what of moderates and independents?

[Vepres]

The single fact that the media covered Sarah Palin as if she was a serious candidate makes them pro-McCain in my book.
If they had a shred of intelectual and profesional honesty they ought to declare, in no uncertain terms, what a joke her presence on the ticket was. 

They didn't judge her, they were neutral. They would be biased if they treated her as a joke, just as they would be if they treated her as the second coming of Reagan.

Why didn't they treat Biden as a joke. When he said FDR went on TV in 1929 to ease people about the depression. And no, don't cite his record. There are long standing politicians who are jokes.

The fact is, she was governor of a state for two years. Enough experience for the Presidency? P0robably not. Enough to be taken seriously as a VP nominee? Yeah. Don't forget, Obama was a Senator really for only a year before he started campaigning.