We are letting the media do it again

by Bill Moore, The Beaufort Observer, November 18, 2013.

The establishment left leaning Media is trying to again pick the candidate for the Republicans in 2016. Although I congratulate Governor Chris Christie on his win in New Jersey, the media circus has gone far beyond the win. Democrats have joined the Media in discussing how formidable Christie would be as the Republican Presidential Candidate in 2016.

Poll after poll is being taken suggesting Christie should be the candidate in 2016. Time Magazine put him on the cover labeling it the "Elephant in the Room" Whether it was a fat joke or a comment on the Republican Conservative base is up for discussion.

A careful look at the polling suggest otherwise. In his home state, New Jersey, while he won with about 60% of the vote. he would lose in a head to head with Hilary Clinton should she be the Democratic candidate. In polling outside of the Northeast he loses three quarters of the time.

What do you hear instead is Christies' large win in New jersey will make it difficult for Conservative candidates who will oppose him. They write piece after piece pointing out how Christie has the best chance of winning the election.

The facts of the matter surface as one looks historically on Media support for Republican Candidates. Go back to 2008 and see what happened to John McCain. He was the Media darling though out the primary season. Establishment media crawled all over themselves in heaping praise on McCain and helping him win the Republican Primary. When it became a two person race, they deserted McCain in droves to support Barrack Obama. All the Media outlets that championed his candidacy, deserted him to support the Democratic candidate.  Suddenly he was not their darling but a tired old Washington  war hero. They overwhelmingly decided to support the concept of a fresh face in Washington. Then they did everything they could to sabotage his campaign including ruthless attacks on his running mate Sarah Palin. Almost overnight he went from their best hope to a poor choice.

Fast forward to the 2012 election. During a difficult and crowded Republican primary, the Establishment Media kept attacking most Republican Candidates. They constantly pointed out Governor Mitt Romney  was a moderate and with his leadership experience  in both business and as a Governor, would be the best candidate to defeat President Obama in his bid for reelection. Dйjа Vu all over again!!! The ink is not dry on him securing the nomination and he went from being a moderate to  being too conservative. He was attacked for being successful as a businessman and questioned as to his business tactics even after he long had left the company. The media helped surface the question if the Nation was ready for a Mormon President. In short in a Democratic vs. Republican race Romney was doomed to lose.

With all that proven recent history, Republicans are again listening to the Media as they pick the candidate they want to face the Democratic candidate, most likely Hillary Clinton.  When will they ever learn? They continue to drink the Establishment Media's "Cool Aid". Christie may well win the Nomination but that decision should be made by the Party itself not the media as it steers people to the candidate of their choice.

The Establishment Media is not interested in a superior candidate as the Republican nominee for President. What they want is someone who is not dangerous to their world view and who they feel the Democratic candidate can defeat on the election. Republican members need to remember and vote based on what the media did to the candidates. Flags should be going up in our minds when the Establishment Media and Democratic Commentators discuss what a great candidate someone makes. Do you really believe the Democratic commentators and operators want what is best for the Republican Party?  How did the Media's choices work out for you in the last two elections?