The Attack on Oprah: A Case Study Of The Strategies of the Conservative Noise Machine

[Commentary] PalinPetition dot com may start to dominate the cable and broadcast news rounds via FOX and other conservative commentators soon. Timing will no doubt depend on focus group polling on whether Sen Obama is gaining traction or if passion about Gov Palin begins to wane. But from the current ferment in the vectors, Feld is pegging it to be next week's distraction. The fact is that the developing attack on Oprah is an excellent case study of how the Republicans manipulate both their base and the mainstream media. It also highlights what Obama and the Ds need to do to defend. It is not simply about going after smears or going negative sooner stronger or any of these things. It is to understand that the Republican strategists at this level do not wait for targets of opportunity, nor do they hitch their train to a single issue or person. It is a matter of understanding overall methods of operation and developing proactive counter-strategies rather than reactive counter strategies. Along the way, it also helps highlight the current problem with our mainstream media and illustrates how the Rs are taking advantage of the Internet in non-obvious ways.