Posted on 02/27/2016 3:20:58 AM PST by lowbridge
Tune into television coverage of the presidential campaign and undoubtedly you will hear from various pundits described as “former campaign strategists” and “political contributors” explaining the latest developments of the race. But in many cases, these pundits — though introduced as neutral experts on campaigns or party politics — in fact have financial ties to the candidates they praise on the air.
Several consultants who work at firms retained by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and her affiliated Super PACs appear regularly on the major television networks, frequently touting Clinton.
A review of pundits on the major networks and cable news also found one prominent pundit who often praised Jeb Bush, without the network revealing her relationship with his campaign.
“Journalism 101 teaches that reporters and TV news hosts must properly identify their sources and analysts,” says Jeff Cohen, an associate professor of journalism at Ithaca College. We reached out to NBC, CBS, CNN, and ABC News, but did not hear back.
Stephanie Cutter, for example, has appeared on multiple networks to discuss Clinton, and is typically introduced as a former campaign official for President Barack Obama. What hasn’t been disclosed in any of her appearances reviewed by The Intercept, however, is that the boutique consulting firm she co-founded, Precision Strategies, has been retained by the Clinton campaign for “digital consulting,” according to Federal Election Commission records. Precision Strategies has been paid at least $120,049 from the Clinton campaign since June of last year.
“I think that Hillary Clinton has done everything right. She has run a good campaign. She has outperformed in debates. She’s raised money. She’s got a great ground game,” said Cutter, speaking about the upcoming New Hampshire and Iowa primaries on NBC’s Meet the Press on January 17. She was introduced as “President Obama’s 2012 deputy campaign manager.” Her company’s affiliation with the Clinton campaign was not disclosed.
(Excerpt) Read more at theintercept.com ...
Compromised
Same would be true for Frank Luntz - who worked for Rubio.
Contrast that with a Fox Business program where a company name comes up. They flash graphics on the screen on any sort of tie the person speaking has to the company. http://www.foxbusiness.com/shows/making-money.html
Another one: you get a credit card receipt at the pump when you buy gas with gallons times price. Shouldn’t that receipt be like a food label? Shouldn’t it say where it all went ? Shouldn’t you know the guy in your neighborhood only gets a few cents per gallon?
“Same would be true for Frank Luntz - who worked for Rubio.”
Ouch, the truth hurts...
There is no way I could ever support Rubio. Even when he has that fake forced smile on his face, his eyes are crying from fear. This guy is not battle hardened. His rattled response when Christie attacked him is just a glimpse of his wounded soul. I think Rubio is a good guy, but his fear of exposing the wounds in his soul must be exposed and cleansed before he is ready to be a true leader.
Trump is the best strategist I have ever seen..(not that I trust the purity of his motive) but you can bet that Trump will dump the entire garbage truck on Rubio just prior to super Tuesday.
Politicians, pundits, strategists and the like should have to wear the emblem of any company or firm that supplied them any form of payment, like a NASCAR driver. (think that was a Pookie Toon once). Once read a similar article about these interviews with College Professors. Leading one to think them to be independent opinions. Only to find they too were often paid big bucks by firms in the Industry they comment on.
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