MediaWatch: October 1992
Table of Contents:
- MediaWatch: October 1992
- Watching the Ad Watchers
- NewsBites: Attacks off Limits?
- Revolving Door: Democratic Revolver Sees Bias
- Markle Foundation Funds Slanted Campaign Coverage
- Media Still Defend Aspiring First Lady
- Time, Corporate Tool
- Post's Deficit Solution
- Janet Cooke Award: NBC: Liberal Public Relations
Media Still Defend Aspiring First Lady
HILLARY'S FAN CLUB
Just when you thought it was safe to pick up a magazine or turn on the television, the media have reprised the Hillary love-in. In the September 14 Time, Deputy Washington Bureau Chief Margaret Carlson continued the misrepresentation of conservative criticism of Hillary's views as condemnation of all working women: "Hillary Clinton...is a remarkable woman....There is no doubt that she is her husband's professional and intellectual equal. But is this reason to turn her into 'Willary Horton' for the '92 campaign, making her an emblem of all that is wrong with family values, working mothers and modern women in general?"
Carlson also endorsed the Democratic reaction to the GOP quoting Hillary Clinton's writings: "The Republicans dug up -- and seriously distorted -- some of her old academic articles on children's rights...Seated on the couch in the living room of the Arkansas Governor's mansion last week, with Bill and Chelsea waiting to have a rare family dinner, Hillary responded to the Republican onslaught more in sadness than in anger."
Why all of this fuss over Hillary? Carlson informed her readers: "To a large extent, the controversy today reflects a profound ambivalence toward the changing role of women in American society over the past few decades...At first, she seemed insufficiently aware that she was not the candidate herself. Instead of standing by like a potted palm, she enjoyed talking at length about problems and policies....Perhaps it's time to admit that 'two for one' is a good deal."
On September 8, Dateline co-host Jane Pauley asked Mrs. Clinton softball questions about conservative attacks: "When you hear yourself held up, as you were at the Republican convention, some people have used the word 'demonized,' does it make you hurt or does it make you mad....What was the worst thing you've heard said about you?....All right, what was the grossest distortion of your record?" Another tough question: "What don't you do perfectly?"
A week later, Dateline aired a tough investigation of Neil Bush, and how he used the Small Business Administration and a taxpayer- defrauding S&L for his personal gain. So why didn't Pauley ask Mrs. Clinton about her connection with a failed S&L? After all, she represented an eventually bankrupt S&L, Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan, before state agencies in Arkansas looking to shut Madison down. That eventually cost taxpayers $50 million. Memo to Jane Pauley: Here's something Hillary didn't do perfectly.
