"Riffed from the Headlines" is Townhall's daily VIP feature with coverage on the deeply flawed aspects of journalism in the nation. We'll look to bring accountability to the mishaps, malaprops, misdeeds, manipulations, malpractice, and manufactured narratives in mainstream media. (For a VIP discount drop SLAGER in the signup form.)
11.04.21
Gilded Reframe – MSNBC / MORNING JOE
- Uh oh, expect the media to lobby for Donald Trump to return to social media.
On their Wednesday morning quarterback migraine, the staff of "Morning Joe" attempted to reconcile the Glenn Youngkin victory, and their base assessment was that the very thing they had screeched about for four years was the reason behind the victory. Joe Scarborough sagely came up with this conclusion, as he wept into his decaf.
- "'You talk about the law of unintended consequences coming through,' Scarborough followed. 'I talked to Republicans over the past couple of days. They were like, thank God Trump is off of Twitter. Democrats saying, wish Trump was on Twitter.' Trump was banned from Twitter days after the January 6th attack on the Capitol by his supporters. Actually, him being banned from Twitter, him being banned from Facebook, him being banned from social media is a huge windfall for Republicans."
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.@JoeNBC on Youngkin's win: "Last night was a very bad night for Donald Trump. Cause there's a guy who kept him in a lock box, he has favorabilities +13 over Trump…Every Republican in that state are saying…when he stays away, we can get the coalition back.” pic.twitter.com/qe3oRRk1RR
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) November 3, 2021
Low Octane Gas Lighting – WASHINGTON POST
- The consistently inaccurate pundit just keeps getting better.
We need to admit it – Jennifer Rubin is a gem. Not one of any real value, mind you, be she is a gleaming rhinestone in the bedazzled world of political punditry, and the Virginia election has only put more of a glimmer on her zero-carat opinions. Looking over her tepid hot takes just before the Glenn Youngkin victory is nothing short of undiluted amusement.
First, there was her declaration that the Bill Kristol endorsement of Terry McAuliffe (because, of course, the true conservative backed the statist Democrat) had Rubin declaring it would be monumental.
The @BillKristol endorsement will be big. Trust me. https://t.co/nrf0cV8oli
— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) September 17, 2021
Now, Drew Holden brings us another flashback. Just two months ago, Jenny was writing rhapsodically about how wondrous a job Terry McAuliffe was doing and how he would render the GOP by exposing its failings.
- "From voting rights to abortion to covid-19, Republicans’ embrace of radical positions that make many Republicans uncomfortable provides the script for savvy Democrats. He’s showing how every Democratic gubernatorial candidate in 2022 can win: Expose the extremism of the GOP, which is now mainstream doctrine in their party. Democrats now — even more effectively — can tie Republicans at the state and federal level to an unpopular, radical agenda."
*Chef’s Kiss*
I’ve found it. The worst take ever. pic.twitter.com/fXcZv62pc9
— Drew Holden (@DrewHolden360) November 3, 2021
Stealth Story Evolution – THE NEW YORK TIMES
As we mentioned in yesterday's rundown of media distemper over the GOP victories Tuesday, whenever Republicans win elections the press looks into the problems which led to their success. The Times follows this formula, discovering what the Republicans in Virginia pounced on in order to win.
Except…
In the course of the media leaning on the racist tropes and how white women turned the tide for Youngkin, The Times had to admit, albeit deep in their piece, that maybe some others had a vested interest in the result.
- "In Virginia, the Youngkin campaign appealed to Asian parents worried about progressive efforts to make admissions processes in gifted programs less restrictive; Black parents upset over the opposition of teachers’ unions to charter schools; and suburban mothers of all races who were generally on edge about having to juggle so much at home over the last year and a half."
There was apparently some voiced pushback. The Times managed to change its headline after publication.
Ha -
— Brad Slager - Gourd Of Thunder (@MartiniShark) November 4, 2021
The New York Times alters its headline after getting mocked for resorting to the tired 'Republicans Pounce' routine.
The press loves to declare Dem victories as a mandate from the people, and always looks to find the problem whenever there is a GOP election victory. pic.twitter.com/785Am8iN8K
News Avoidance Syndrome – VARIOUS OUTLETS
There was a ripple in the media atmosphere yesterday when Peter Doocy of Fox News asked President Biden about the story of immigrant families who were separated at the border being paid $450,000. Many were cheering that Biden told Doocy, "You guys keep sending that garbage out – it's not going to happen." Cue the sounds of crickets from the media fact-checkers.
For one, Fox was not the source of that report. It was the Wall Street Journal, and they were quoting people inside the Department of Justice on the matter. Further, the ACLU has come forward to also state it is a fully accurate report. Those in the press concerned with this blatant contradiction from the president are certainly shy about their views.
“President Biden may not have been fully briefed about the actions of his very own Justice Department as it carefully deliberated and considered the crimes committed against thousands of families separated from their children," said the @ACLU exec. dir https://t.co/u4cetyMHws
— Michelle Hackman (@MHackman) November 4, 2021
Stealth Story Evolution – USA TODAY
With all of the claims of racism and white supremacy coursing through the media complex, those damned data points keep rearing up to disrupt that narrative. After all, how can we accuse the Republicans of being white supremacists when there are all these examples of the party voting people of color into office?!
As USA Today ran their piece on the many historical minority office victories, the outlet includes this tagline at the top.
- "This story has been updated to reflect additional races that were called on Wednesday."
Well, this is because they received blowback for not including Winsome Sears in their initial report, even though her race was not in question. She was declared the winner for Lt. Governor in Virginia on Tuesday evening, though as this early notice shows she was not a part of their hype.
History-making firsts: Michelle Wu, Alvin Bragg, other candidates of color win local elections https://t.co/TtJBN086Wg via @usatoday
— Blindguy Resists! (@SmithBlindlib5) November 3, 2021
Pulitzer Prize Nomination – San Francisco Gate
We are not entirely sure how this made it to a newspaper. Okay, check that – we are not sure at all. But the SF Gate details for their readers the gripping tale of individuals who were at Disneyland and became trapped on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" themed ride. Well...they got stuck.
The people had to remain in their boat until workers could better position them to then calmly walk away. In the meantime, we get this dramatic account of what they had to endure.
- "All things considered, the guests on the ride were relatively calm — even the kids. A little boy behind Rokos started to play a handheld video game, while a baby on the boat remained sound asleep the entire time."
Such arresting coverage. It was as if we were right there in the boat beside them – just, waiting…
The headline lol
— Adobe Wan Kenobi (@Jamey_Messina) November 3, 2021
"'We were literally trapped': A Disneyland guest recounts his unexpected evacuation from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride" https://t.co/tDeoDDmYiP
