Is Conservative Media Biased against Huckabee?
Dec 18th, 2007 | By Jeff | Category: Life
We all know that the media always has a bias. Sometimes it leans towards the liberal spectrum, and other times towards the conservative end. I listen to a lot of talk radio and it is clearly biased towards the Right. But I am noticing something else over the past few weeks. There is a clear bias against Mike Huckabee by the majority of the conservative media. This being, Talk Radio and Fox News. As of today the Rasmussen poll has Mike Huckabee as the front runner for the Republican party with 23% and Giuliani behind him with 17%. Yet, Mike Huckabee is written off quickly by the Conservative Media. Sean Hannity has been the most blatant. Sean clearly supports Giuliani but tries to come across as being neutral, which he seems to be with every republican candidate. That is unless the discussion turns to Mike Huckabee. He gets much harsher and I have never heard him say one single positive thing about Mike Huckabee. It probably wouldn’t be too difficult to find a ton of positive statements regarding Giuliani, Romney, or Thompson. But Huckabee, thats another story. Glenn Beck also writhes whenever he discusses Mike Huckabee, mainly because Mike Huckabee has been so bold to say he doesn’t know much about Mormonism and asked the ‘wrong person’ about Mormonism. It is a bit irrational. And I think Glenn Beck is usually a pretty fair guy. But again, not with Mike Huckabee. Bill O’Reilly seems to be the most fair out of the Conservative Media that I have seen, but he also seems to consider Mike Huckabee as someone who will fall out of the race soon enough.
So, this has me thinking. Why? Why can’t the Conservative Media be fair and balanced regarding the republican front runner when the republican base currently is? I honestly can’t think of a single legitimate reason. It really seems like they had someone in mind to win the nomination and Mike Huckabee is now a threat to that. I think they have gone from providing “fair and balanced” coverage to covertly promoting some candidates over others. I know this isn’t news by any stretch. Alan Keyes has always been victim to this sort of bias. What is unique is that this bias continues even when someone becomes 1st ,2nd or even 3rd in the rankings. I believe that Mike Huckabee has the values and the record that a conservative would want want in a republican candidate. Mike Huckabee is closer to a Ronald Reagan republican than any other candidate in my lifetime. He is candid and intelligent. He understands the issues, and is able to communicate effectively with people. The American people appear to like Mike Huckabee. That is why he is doing so well in the polls. It will be rather interesting to see what the Conservative Media will do if Mike Huckabee wins the Republican primary. I believe he has the momentum to achieve this. And one of the most interesting things about Mike Huckabee is that his campaign hasn’t raised even a fraction of the money as the other leading candidates, yet he keeps rising in the polls. To me this says people are interested in his message not just the lobbyists with their check books. because of this I believe that Mike Huckabee has the greatest chance of winning the republican nomination and the latest Rasmussen Poll shows that I am not alone in this belief.
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Giuliani is the biggest hypocrit. He let New york in a budget deficit even before 9/11.
Daily News May 18, 2001 TWO WARN OF BUDGET SHORTFALLS p27 FRANK LOMBARDI In an unusual joint assault, the state and city controllers teamed up yesterday to warn that Mayor Giuliani is underestimating future budget shortfalls by nearly $2 billion a year. The next mayor could be forced to impose drastic service cutbacks and even major layoffs, state Controller Carl McCall and city Controller Alan Hevesi said at a rare joint news conference.
New York Times May 1, 2001 Giuliani Keeps Foot in Race For Some Selective Tripping B1COL4 ELISABETH BUMILLER Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani’s latest strategy in his newest, most favorite sport — making mischief in the race for his successor — seems to be to bolster the fortunes of one Democratic candidate, City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, and to continue to harm another, City Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi… Mr. Hevesi, meanwhile, said yesterday at a news conference that the city was facing a “potential time bomb” because of Mr. Giuliani’s proposed $39.5 billion city budget, which the comptroller said contained tax cuts and large union raises that would leave future mayors with dangerous deficits.
[...] David Limbaugh Kim Strassell Pat Buchanan Sean Hannity (kind of . . . not frontal attacks, but plenty of comments expressing concern with him as the potential GOP nominee) Michael Reagan Glenn Beck (semi “reconciliation” [...]
[...] & here) Peggy Noonan Charles Krauthammer Sean Hannity (kind of . . . not frontal attacks, but plenty of comments expressing concern with him as the potential GOP nominee) Laura Ingraham Fred Barnes Joseph Farah (Founder/CEO/Editor [...]
First, I need to identify myself as an avid listener of “conservative talk radio.” However, as much as Rush, Hannity, and Medved entertain me and agree with me on many issues, I do think for myself.
I too am somewhat perplexed to hear “conservative” talk hosts bash Mike Huckabee on a daily basis. Today, I heard Minnesota’s Jason Lewis (filling in for Rush Limbaugh) saying that Huckabee is no Reagan conservative. The mind blowing part is that Lewis continued to portray Huckabee as a non-conservative, without mentioning that all of the Republican front-runners have “non-conservative” stances on a number of issues. This experience motivated me to do some research, and I soon was able to confirm that neither Romney, McCain, nor Giuliani comes across as any more conservative than Huckabee when one examines each candidate’s position on every significant issue.
So why the anti-Huckabee bias by conservative media? Perhaps our famous radio personalities ARE becoming a little too closely connected with individual candidates, as they do interact socially on a frequent basis. Huckabee may simply not be a member of thier “club” just yet. Maybe he will be admitted someday. Or, to consider a more sinister theory, could
these famous personalities be biased against outspoken
Christians or even ashamed of their own faith?
Your article is 100% correct. I have noticed the same bias. The only thing I can draw from it is that, now the right is trying to persuade you to vote a certain way. Gee it sounds like the left indoctrination. I have seen a simple slip of words by Huckabee turned into a major gaff by the right. Does the ( right main stream press ) think we need them to decide on a candidate for us? Governor Huckabee is not perfect and I disagree with him on some issues. The Governor has made mistakes in his career that I am sure he would like to take back. But those conservatives that ignore the true human rights issues (abortion) (education no matter who you are) and will find great fault in raising taxes to improve roads and education (an issue that is the responsibility of local and state government) are to be polite, full of it.
I did hear Sean Hannity say that he liked Mike Huckabee’s fair tax plan. But other than that I have to agree. I’m a little aggravated over the way Huckabee has been treated by some of the conservative media. Rush is on my do not listen list and Sean is slowly getting there.
I like Mike, not only for his personality but his stance on most conservative issues. I do think that Mike needs to defend his tax increase in Arkansas. If the people vote on the roads and he has a court order for education I don’t see how people can make him out to be a big tax guy. I definitely think there is an agenda going on with some of these conservative guys. They have not been fair an balanced.
The biased problem is getting very obvious, so obvious I have to turn the channel lately I would rather listen to good music or a good sermon that someone trying to force the other candidates with many problems that are far more liberal than Mike Huckabee has.
We need to stand strong and learn to divide up whats real because obviously there has been a rat or two or three..
Mike Galagher tssk tssk
Sean Hannity
Rusty Humphries
Laura Igraham
Rush
Ann Culter “not mispelled”
and these are just to name a few, well who is your idea of an ideal candidate, Gulianni, Mitt or McCain or sleepy guy Fred ? because frankly there is a lot of liberal dirt on each one of these guys and I hardly here squat out of you on this, you call Mike a nanny stater and you back Mitt instead Ann Culter my goodness girl Massachussetts politics has been shocking us even here in the Northwest and I didn’t think that was possible…Gulianni ran as the liberal Republican he does have his qualities but he is what a Democrat should be, same with McCain and Fre has accomplished nothing he is a nice talker and actor but come on where is the fairness here ?
The bias of what I’ve come to call the “conservative media complex” is overwhelming. Criticism of candidates’ positions should happen. But candidates should be held to an equal standard by the critic.
Based upon what I’ve seen in the 2008 republican primary and in the 2000 republican primary(when McCain surged ahead early) the conservative media outlets and talking heads put forth a concerted effort to destroy any threat to the “chosen establishment candidate”. Huckabee had the momentum to go all the way, but it’s all but over for him now. Even with huge amounts of money to buy advertising, which he didn’t even have, a candidate can’t overcome being negatively defined by the conservative media complex.
I’m a Huckabee man, but I will support McCain if Huckabee can’t compete. I think we all need to question why the “elites” will do anything to keep Huckabee and McCain from the nomination.
The events of the last several months have soured me on the republican party and the most of the media I once trusted. I don’t know where to go from here.
Jon,
I was listening to Rush yesterday and a woman called in and asked a very simple question. “What about Mitt Romney’s record makes him more conservative than John McCain?” Rush had just finished a 30 minute rant about how liberal John McCain is and how disasterous it would be for America if he were to get the nomination.
Rush was unable to point to a single thing about Romney, he simply continued his anti McCain talking points. The lady asked the question two more times respectfully and Rush simply couldn’t think of anything.
I can’t honestly say I agree with McCain on much so I really don’t want McCain to get the nomination, but the Conservative Media has been at war with Huckabee and McCain, rather than treating them to the same scrutiny as Guliani, Thompson, and Romney.
I have lost a great deal of respect for Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Larua Ingraham, and Mark Levin. I thought they were free thinkers, but I now think they are simply tools being used by candidates that have tons of cash.
Jeff,
Since leaving my prior comment to this post, I ran across something that I think may be at least one answer to your question of why the conservative media can’t be fair to Huckabee, or McCain for that matter.
Mitt Romney founded the private-equity firm Bain Capital and served as it’s CEO until stepping down from that post to take public office. It was announced November 16, 2006, that Bain Capital together with another partnership was purchasing Clear Channel Communications. Sometime in January of 2008 the deal finally got FCC approval. I really don’t know when the deal was completed or if it has been done in steps, or if it has yet to be completed. Nevertheless, Romney indirectly “controls” Clear Channel and with that comes all the talking heads that have been banging the Republican front runners in the knees.
I’ve noticed some similar bias at Fox News and it should be remembered that the Fox News Network broadcasts on over 500 Clear Channel stations.
I’ve seen where some Romney supporters have dismissed this and said that he no longer directs Bain Capital. But really, from what I gather his money is still there and certainly his friends and influence are present at Bain Capital. He founded the firm.
It sounds like the phrase ‘Follow the money” leads back to the candidate that they seem to be rooting for, Mitt Romney. I am completely frustrated with all of the talk radio hosts at this point. And now it looks like chances are very good for John McCain to become the nominee. I wonder if he would be doing as well if the talk radio people hadn’t attacked him irrationally? I think people see right through the non-sense, and if anything it made him more appealing.
Mark Levin this evening said that if John McCain wins Florida he would quit his radio show. I am now interested to see if he has the guts to follow through with his threat. He says that this will be the end of the Republican Party, when in fact it will simply be the republican party wanting someone who is genuine and they can trust. I don’t agree with John McCain but he is a man of integrity. I think many Americans see Mitt Romney as a phony who has used his wealth to buy power.
Much of Mike Huckabee’s appeal is also that he is genuine and doesn’t come across as yet another typical politician. America wants change, they are tired of not trusting the people they elect, so they are gravitating towards someone who they may not agree with, but they do trust. Right now that person is John McCain.
I, too, am sick of Fox News ignoring or bashing Huckabee. Fair and balanced? Get real.
Huckabee’s record in Arkansas is being distorted. But now, he doesn’t even get mentioned on Fox News.
Anyone sick of all the sheeple following Sean and company?
I keep hearing Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and others whining about Mike Huckabee staying in the race. They are so frustrated that John McCain might win the nomination instead of Romney. Mike is in this to win, because he knows that McCain is bad for America and he knows that Romney is bad for America.
But you know, if they had looked at Huckabee’s record with honesty and integrity rather than tear him down with every breathe that they spoke I don’t think McCain would be anywhere near the top right now. I believe Mike Huckabee would be leading the polls at the moment, and a real Reagan Conservative would have a real shot at the White House. Mitt Romney is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and at least half of the Republicans out there can see it plain as day, that is why they are voting for either Huckabee or McCain, and I think they are only voting for McCain because they think he has a better chance of winning than Huckabee. At least McCain is who he is and doesn’t change who he is just to win an election. He is a moderate republican, not a conservative.
In my opinion if John McCain wins the nomination it will be the talking heads on the radio that helped divide the Republican party and I know they will never understand how their ignorance could end up damaging the country they say they love, America.