Media Bias in Reporting Thompson Fundraising

The mainstream media, relying on the skewed opinions of a few pundits with a vested interest in negative spin, have shown remarkable bias in reporting Fred Thompson's fundraising. The former U.S. Senator from Tennessee raised 3.5 million dollars in the month of June alone.

Yet Katie Couric and CBS News put a negative spin on the story, as did the pundits at Politico.com. Even Fox News reported the story with a negative slant.

Couric emphasized that Thompson did not reach the stated goal of 5 million in June. Fox pointed to supposed turmoil in the Thompson camp, leading to the failure to build on the momentum the Senator had originally exhibited. Politico said that the 3.5 million is an indication that Thompson's appeal is turning lackluster.

First, the goal of raising 5 million dollars in one month by a former Senator who has not even announced his candidacy admittedly was a lofty goal. Perhaps the rationale was to deliberately set the bar high so that everyone would try harder.

Second, the failure to reach that lofty goal is not the issue. The amount raised is the issue.

3.5 million in one month is no failure by anyone's estimation. It took Ron Paul, for example, two quarters (six months) to gather a warchest of 2.5 million in cash.

Thompson is now number four among the Republicans in total funds raised and number three in available cash, now that we know McCain has already spent most of his available funds.

Third, the thing that is entirely remarkable about these facts is that Thompson was able to accomplish this feat in only one month as compared to six months for everyone else. The pundits and talking heads of the mainstream media totally missed this point.

Fourth, it would appear that not only are the Democrats afraid of Thompson, but so is the mainstream media. Anyone who is viewed as the one candidate who can derail the Clinton-Obama bandwagon is to be viewed with fear and trembling as far as the socialists are concerned.

We think their fears are well-founded.

And thus, we can expect the media establishment and the Democrats to hurl mud and accusations at a frantic pace.

The Fox News spin is the one that is the most surprising of all. Fox pointed to grumbling among Thompson's campaign staff as an indication things are falling apart.

As it turns out, Thompson's wife, who is a political consultant and campaign expert, is the target of the staffers' grumbling. It is well-known among those who cover political campaigns that candidates' spouses are normally vilified by staffers for their intrusiveness. So this is nothing new.

The difference in Thompson's case is that the spouse is probably more qualified and skillful than 99% of the staff. Thompson's staff will either have to find a way to live with that fact, or else they will have to leave. This is the candidate's wife, and she is considered a formidable force when it comes to political strategy.

The bottom line? The story about Thompson's 'failure' at fundraising is pure spin and nothing more.

But then, what did you expect? Couric and all of the others at CBS, NBC, ABC, and CNN are in the hip-pockets of the Democrats. I suspect that Fox supports Rudy Giuliani.

Our opinion is that by the time this is all said and done, Fred Thompson will have some big surprises in store for Fox and the Democrats' mouthpieces at the other networks.