[UPDATE: Hi, Instapundit readers! The bad news is, I’m retired from politics (I’m concentrating on writing science fiction, fantasy, and horror: subscribe to my Patreon!). The good news is, I still stand behind every word of this. Which is one major reason why I’m retired: see Rules 2, 3, & particularly 4.]
This is the result of roughly ten years’ worth of looking on – sometimes horrified; sometimes amused; sometimes just bewildered – at our current Media environment. Note that capital, by the way: I’m pretty much describing the Media as a singular and monolithic institution, mostly because on a practical level that’s pretty much how it acts towards conservatives/Republicans. Also, I’m really not interested if individual Media-units feel bad about the more unsavory aspects of the paradigm that they’re supporting, either; guilt, like gratitude, is worth its weight in gold.
So let’s go. One final note: if you need a quick summary of this list… well, just remember the first truth and you’ll be fine.
Ten Media Truths for Conservative/Republican Legislators
- The Media hates you, and wants you to die in a fire.
- The Media will only reliably compliment you when you do things to help liberals and Democrats.
- The Media loves it when you attack other conservatives/Republicans.
- You will never, ever, ever be able to reliably buy off the Media by being a ‘good’ (i.e., self-hating) conservative/Republican.
- Every flaw that you have – real or perceived – will be magnified by the Media. You will get no slack at all.
- Every flaw that your opponent has – real or perceived – will be downplayed by the Media.
- If you get an endorsement from a major Media source, it’s probably because your opponent was caught in a horrific scandal. So don’t count on getting that endorsement the next time.
- The Media has no shame, no sense of guilt, and no institutional memory of its own faults, flaws, and prejudices. Do not appeal to its better nature: the Media could care less about your opinion of it.
- Do not whine about any of this: the truth is, this unrelenting hostility from the Media will (if properly handled) simply make you an unstoppable political machine.
- Most importantly: THE MEDIA DID NOT ELECT YOU. The voters did. Keep that in mind when you’re working out your legislative priorities.
Moe Lane (crosspost)
This needs to go to someplace of permanent prominence.
Especially #10. I’d tattoo it to the inner eyelids of every Republican elected to anything.
#1 is not complete. Need to include “utterly destroy you, your family, and everyhing you believe in”
#8 should read
A little grammar/correct word usage goes a long way.
A corollary to #7: if a major media outlet endorses you, it’s because they already have plans to take you out later in favor of your opponent. As a case study, witness John McCain and the New York Times in 2008 — right after they endorsed him, they hit him with a smear piece accusing him of having an affair with a lobbyist.
J.
Democrats accuse Republicans of being misguided, biased, racist, stupid, selfish, heartless, dishonest, corrupt, and evil.
Then, they search for any Republican they can find or manufacture to publicly support their plans.
BTW, the Media will insist to the folks still bothering with it that they are “right in the middle.” The implication is “the middle of the political spectrum” but the reality is “in the middle of Obama’s butt cheeks.”
It’s couldn’t care less, not could care less.
Sorry, folks, but I’m one of the people who consider ‘could care less’ a legit colloquialism.
Which means, hey! … 🙂