Truth or Illusion ?

         Did the media jump the gun in awarding Hillary Clinton the Democratic nomination before all of the delegates were elected officially? Yes, but the call is no more hasty than dozens of other examples throughout the late 20^th century. One is mindful of the famous “Dewey defeats Truman” headline just after the 1848 election.

          The media is like any other business. It needs to make a profit. Its worth is driven by viewers and subscriptions. Those are enhanced by excellence in reporting and having on staff those astute reporters who get it right and get it early. The temptation is always there to make the call quickly and be the first with the scoop. Reputations and careers are made by the right call, made before one’s competitors. I see nothing wrong with this. Reporters are just like everyone else. They want to succeed in their field and appear as one of the revered cognoscenti, whom people will listen to or view for their opinions on matters of the day.

       The media however does not operate in a vacuum. They are subject to the same influences that everyone is, media reports, whispered confidences, leaks and a host of other devices that color and often create the image of what we see and hear. And I would be disingenuous if I didn’t mention that every political operative worth his or her salt tries to play the media like a twelve string banjo. Leaks, op-ed pieces and other devices don’t just happen. They are composed and artfully distributed like an artist, at his easel, always painting the images that the campaign wishes to be seen. Truth isn’t always real, perception is. Those who do it best get their message across and often win.

        Witness the spin rooms after major debates or events.  A teller of tall tales would be embarrassed at the facility of the spin-mesiters to create the images that they wish believed. The media is as susceptible to these auditory and visual bombardments as any one else. Indeed it is easier to “spin” those who know, or think they know, what is going on than the great viewing and reading public. Ask any magician. He will tell you that the power of suggestion is much easier managed among those who think they know how the trick works.

In this case, were I a Clinton operative, I would have tried to manage a media outcome similar to that which occurred. It would inoculate Cliinton from any danger of major losses, in California and other states, and prevent any possible slippage of super deligates. It is a good move on their part, if that is how it was managed. The Sanders and Trump campaigns do the same thing. Each outfit only howls loudly when the other guy/gal  is more successful in getting his or her message out there.

       I wouldn’t be too harsh on any of the media. They are only human. No one bats a thousand. On any debatable point, I used to call up a dozen or two people in whose opinions I found wisdom. I would then make a decision, based upon their collective wisdom. I don’t know who wrote the “Dewey defeats Truman” headline. It doesn’t matter. Some hard working professional made a judgment call and came up wrong. It happens to the best of us.

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                                  Joseph Xavier Martin