Why the Liberal Media Will Wait for Hillary to Drop Out

First, it's important to understand what I mean when I write that the media will wait for Hillary to drop out.  The media has two options, either start a constant drumbeat calling for Hillary to drop out or occasionally suggest that she might consider it.  By writing that that media will wait for her to drop out, I mean that they will take the latter option.

It's amusing to watch Tim Russert, George Stephanopoulos, and especially Chris Matthews, pretend that they have the power to declare a primary over.  No personality in the media has that kind of power anymore.  But each of them did their best to get out there on Tuesday night in hopes that they would get credit as the one who declared the Democratic primary over.  Unfortunately for each of them, Hillary did not and will not drop out until it's really over. 

It's not over for one good reason, the realistic possibility of a May or even June surprise.  Obama is enough of an unknown that it's conceivable that something could break about his history that makes it obvious even to his most ardent supporters that he is unelectable. Hillary made it clear that she will stick it out until Obama crosses the necessary delegate threshold. 

The media will play nice with Hillary because they know that if Hillary's backers feel she has been mistreated many of them might vote for McCain.  So the New York Times, Russert, Stephanopoulos and possibly Matthews, will tow the Democratic Party line by not going too far in their calls for Hillary to drop out.  They will suggest that she might consider it, but there will be no demands.  More importantly, they will dutifully show interest in the upcoming primaries although they all believe it's over. 

The Ref | 5/8/08 | Permalink