Many long-time (and even newer) Mitt fans have a hard time watching TV news without verbally abusing the screen. I know it’s human nature for everyone to “pull for” their guy and view criticism in an over-sentitive fashion. However, when a University-based non-partisan group performs research and ends up concluding that we are correct in our estimation that Mitt is very unfairly treated by the media, it needs to become common knowledge.
Frontrunner Mitt Romney is getting by far the most negative press of the GOP field, according to a new study of television news coverage by the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University. The study also found that the campaign horse race is getting over six times as much coverage as the candidates’ positions on policy issues. According to CMPA director and George Mason University professor Robert Lichter, “The media love a horse race and hate a frontrunner.”
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Bad News for Romney Mitt Romney was the only major candidate to receive a majority of negative evaluations by sources and reporters, on both the broadcast network nightly news and FOX “Special Report.”
We all know that the media, in general, will favor Obama over any GOP nominee, and it’s encouraging to see that Romney has risen to the top throughout this process DESPITE the constant negativity from the TV media. This trend is not isolated to TV media either. What Mitt has done in this process is nothing short of remarkable … he has become the presumptive GOP nominee despite being the main focus of criticism of the TV, print, conservative talk-radio, his GOP opponents (he’s stood in there for 20 debates and in EVERY one he’s received more fire from his opponents than anyone else on the state), AND the DNC/Union/Occupy-Wall-Street crowds. He was vetted HARD 4 years ago as well. He IS Titanium Mitt!
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Mitt’s early voting lead in Florida is VERY encouraging! Based on the simple average (non-weighted for sample sizes) of the 4 most recent Florida polls (here, here, here and here) Mitt has a SIZABLE lead over his opponents.
Mitt 47%
Newt 31.5%
(Santorum and Paul around 14% and 9% respectively)
Sure he’s got a lead here folks . . . but all Floridians need to get out and vote for Mitt and get your friends/family/co-workers out to vote for him too. The size of his victory could change the whole complexion of this race overnight. MAKE IT SO FLORIDIANS!
Put your predictions in the comments thread! Here’s mine:
Mitt 48%
Newt 28%
Rick 14%
Ron 10%
Jeff has been blogging for Romney since living in Iowa in 2006, when, as a physician, he was drawn to study Romney’s MA healthcare reform plan. A native of California, Jeff now claims to be a proud southern transplant (he currently lives and practices as a vitreoretinal surgeon in Birmingham with his wife and six kids) having lived in Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana for nearly all of the last 15 years. His recent hobby is doing triathlons, having completed his first (and only) Ironman Triathlon this past May.
If Mitt’s a robot, he’s Optimus Friggin’ Prime.
And Gingrich is the Stay Puft Marshmallow man.
I think we can accurately predict a Mitt win in that fight. :-)
Mitt 45
Newt 23
Rick 19
Ron 13
Excellent analysis Jeff. One additional item to add. Further analysis shows that when you combine all the GOP candidates, suddenly Fox News moves closer to the 50/50 balance. What does that tell us? Well if Fox is reporting negatively re: Mitt Romney, then in order to bring the numbers closer to the 50/50 mark for all candidates, Fox must be reporting more favorably for the other candidates. Add the fact that the owner of Fox News is tweeting negative comments about Mitt Romney and you get an even clearer understanding of what is taking place.
@Graham
Ha! Have to agree Graham! Mitt is amazing!