Blog Assignment 7: Electronic News
On several different news websites, I read about Sarah Palin’s East Coast bus tour, a story that is currently in the news. Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska and vice presidential candidate in the 2008 presidential election, announced she’ll embark on a bus tour of the East Coast. This gave rise to speculations about her running as a presidential candidate in the 2012 election.
I found three different news websites that cover this story, from a conservative, liberal and creeping liberal bias. All three were published on May 28, 2011. The story is a political issue that makes it difficult for reporters to hide pro- or anti-Republican views.
The Wall Street Journal’s “Palin Sets Tour With Stop in New Hampshire,” by Jonathan Weisman, covers the story from a slightly conservative bias. The point of view is rather pro-Republican. Weisman counters poll results that found 41% view Sarah Palin very negatively with: “Ms. Palin still places in the top tier when GOP voters are asked their choice for president.” He chooses to include only quotes by Republicans such as that of Pawlenty spokesman Alex Conant who said: “we welcome everyone into the race and look forward to voters comparing the candidates’ records.” What makes Weisman’s pro-Republican views clear to me, however, is his statement: “Ms. Palin’s revived public presence could reshape the battle for the support of social conservatives and tea party-affiliated Republicans.” His word choice hints that he is hopeful that conservative Sarah Palin will run in 2012.
In contrast to this, The Daily Mail’s “Sarah Palin and family land in Washington to kick off bus tour through the Northeast… deep into the enemy territory she has been avoiding” by an anonymous Daily Mail reporter, covers the story from a liberal bias. The point of view comes off as anti-Republican. The reporter presents the findings of a New Hampshire Republican voters poll which found Palin has the support of just five percent of voters, without immediately countering this with words of hope for Republican Palin supporters. It is also emphasized that the potential conservative presidential candidate is being criticized. Republican Jim Roddey is quoted saying: “[…] I would hope she would not run for president. I don’t think she has the intellectual capacity or depth of knowledge to be president.” Sentences like: “Mrs Palin’s political action committee’s website does not actually specify what day she will roll into New England” indicate that the reporter is poking fun at the Republican candidate’s potential campaign.
Finally, The Salt Lake City Tribune’s “Palin announces East Coast bus tour,” by Michael D. Shear, covers the story using a creeping liberal bias. Shear manages to present the story rather objectively but his choice of words and facts subtly indicates his liberal bias. He emphasizes that Palin’s East Coast bus tour is evidence she is “seriously considering a run for the Republican presidential nomination.” The word “seriously” implies that he is not taking the Republican seriously as a potential candidate. Moreover, he chooses to highlight the fact that “the field of Republicans who are vying to challenge President Barack Obama has dwindled in recent weeks” which is a triumph for liberal voters.
All three were appear on May 28, 2011. The adventure is a political affair that makes it difficult for reporters to adumbrate pro- or anti-Republican views.
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