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The Beltway media will never address the DeSantis debacle nor will they ever address their ongoing normalization of Trump. After all, the elite scribes of the Beltway Press corps value access to Republicans, Republican donors and the cocktail party circuit far more than journalistic integrity. They know that if they tell the truth about the GOP they will be cut off from that sweet source of easy stories.

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Access does seem to drive a lot of this, for sure

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DeSantis, aided and abetted by the media, has assumed the role of "Smarter Trump." The Beltway media clearly wants to be in DeSantis' good graces for 2024. There was similar, unwarranted praise for Nikki Haley not that long ago, and the media still pulls its punches when covering jackasses like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul.

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100%. press anxious to pass the torch if Trump sits out 2024

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It's a hard choice for the Press Corpse! Which killer do they want to take out Joe--DeSadist or Ironside?

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The Miami Herald editorial board's advice to Biden about DeSantis is "don't waste your breath." Meanwhile that outlet continues to provide excellent coverage.

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good pt! Local press much better re: DeSantis than DC press

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Our Failed Political Press ™ is already writing their 2024 outlines, and no one and no fact is going to get them to revise them. I think mostly this is about covering their bets: What do they do if The Former Guy doesn’t run? They can use a MS Word search-and-replace and insert DeSantis.

Some of this is about access journalism (I’m waiting for Maggie Haberman to comment on DeSantis, and it will happen), but mostly I think it is lazy journalism looking for click-bait sound bites and belligerent word salad instead of the boring who/what/where/when analysis that would clearly show DeSantis’ incompetence is killing his constituents.

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Funny, when you search gOOgle for DeSantis hissy fit it asks "which one?" Presidential timber? Good Lord.

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Yep. Another "Mission Accomplished". Great song choice too by the way.

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thanks! Love that new song

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Big media got addicted to Trump and the clicks that divisive narratives bring. They're playing DeSantis failure as a new exciting war of words, another angry "both sides" story for people to be outraged by - it's DeSantis vs Biden!

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What the hell is the matter with the idiots in the media? Don't they realize that if the Fascist Front gets what they want that journalists will be among the first up against the wall? Season 2 of The Handmaid's Tale should be required viewing, as June hides out in a vacant, bloodied newsroom waiting for her escape from Gilead.

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My rule is to to totally disregard Beltway Punditrattis' views as not grounded in reality (not including good reporters). The have been wrong about everything yet they keep their jobs as "reporters". My apologies if someone already shared this but Margaret Sullivan pulls no punches in describing their behaviors but also provides a holistic framework for dealing with the root cause problems.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/journalist-both-sides-politics-trump/2021/07/27/c3afd1f8-eee0-11eb-81d2-ffae0f931b8f_story.html

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Every time I read one of your though-provoking pieces, I wonder what kind of backlash, criticism, or affirmation you receive from the 'press' and its minions for being called out for their sycophancy or just plain laziness.

In the meantime, actual news coverage of the rest of the world is a thin soup, to say the least. Being an informed citizen requires spending a ton of time, and money, just seeking out and subscribing to multiple information venues.

Perhaps you could recommend the best alternative or traditional sites for the public consumption and enlightenment? Your work was initially forwarded to me by a good friend, and I forward to other friends, but more people need your valuable perspective. A lot more.

Thank you.

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Eric, isn't it time for media to acknowledge that our two parties are now the Democratic Party and a fascist party? How are Republicans "conservative" in any way that term has previously been used in our political system. Think Bill Kristol, Max Boot, Jennifer Rubin and many others who were conservatives. Compare with the current Republicans, particularly the flaming fascists like Kurt Schlichter and Tucker Carlson. Hasn't the Republican Party become a fascist party, and shouldn't the media acknowledge that. This reminds me of how long the media waited to describe Trump's statements as "lies" even after it had long been obvious that he was lying. Current Republicans are fascists and fascist enablers; nothing "conservative" remains.

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Eric, isn't it time for media to acknowledge that our two parties are now the Democratic Party and a fascist party? How are Republicans "conservative" in any way that term has previously been used in our political system. Think Bill Kristol, Max Boot, Jennifer Rubin and many others who were conservatives. Compare with the current Republicans, particularly the flaming fascists like Kurt Schlichter and Tucker Carlson. Hasn't the Republican Party become a fascist party, and shouldn't the media acknowledge that. This reminds me of how long the media waited to describe Trump's statements as "lies" even after it had long been obvious that he was lying. Current Republicans are fascists and fascist enablers; nothing "conservative" remains.

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I have been watching cnn in the background of my day since Trump was elected. I think you found the one time they have actually said something... sort of nice about Desantis? I have not thought they have reminded people over the last year about how he is keeping his numbers down by underreporting and the death counts of out of state residents vs Snowbirds who just have an out of state license but who live there. He did not count those deaths and then did everything he could to hide the numbers. I know that. I watch CNN. So I am confused. Commenters do not come at me. I found this - I just have CNN on in the background on a physical tv. I do not live my life off of the tv. So drop our assumptions.

“DeSantis signs executive order giving parents power to choose whether to mask kids at school.”

Are you serious? That was the order. They put the comment in that was the order. You read it as a pass? I guess. I thought this was going to be an honest publication. I was looking forward to it.

Finding an example that "fits" while someone is literally completely excoriating DeSantis for his order and lumping it into here is Fox News level propaganda. I look forward to seeing if you are more honest with us. I had to actually check because this was feeling propaganda like.

I am really really glad I checked. What is the point of this publication if you are going to be lazy about your arguments. You have a good argument then back it up with good examples. Not flimsy crap that doesn't hold up with a click of a link.

Enjoy.

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Dear Saucetown Bree: I read your long comment twice and cannot figure what exactly you are trying to say. Maybe the odd rhetorical questions sprinkled throughout threw me off. It seems possible you are making the argument that Eric's piece looked over some of the negative things CNN reported. But it is just hard to tell. I am interested in what you think, so I ask if you will consider writing your thoughts again with the intention of communicating your point of view to someone who does not live inside your head.

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Ditto

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I personally stopped watching CNN when they started grasping at straws, calling Trump speeches presidential when he stayed on teleprompter. I visited Florida in June (kicking and screaming and vaxxed!) with my daughter for her bachelorette trip. From hotel employees to Uber drivers, once Floridians learned we were from California, they felt the need to rub it in our faces how great Desantis had handled the pandemic and how downright stupid us Californians were. They bragged about never really shutting down and how great it was to make their own decisions about masking and the vaccine. They talked about DeSantis like he was Jesus Christ in the flesh. I felt like I was living inside of an Orwellian nightmare! Where are they getting their information (or lack thereof)??!!

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I have no idea what your point is. Further explanation appreciated.

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My point is, the uniformed Floridians think DeSantis is “killing it” with COVID. Where are they getting their information? Facebook? CNN? FOX? All of the above? They are NOT listening to science, AKA the truth! If that’s not clear enough for you, my point is, Florida is a hot mess, and I blame DeSantis and media outlets who spread disinformation!

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I agree wholeheartedly. Thanks for the clarification, appreciated.

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Oops, Angela. Was referring to comments by Saucetown Bree above. Yours are very clear!

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The only thing that will move the media will be economics. As we approach fall, it may be time for the snow birds to reassess where they flock to come winter.

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For many years, I was one of those snowbirds on the west coast of FL once upon a time and there were LOTS of Rs who hated Obama way back then. I’m betting they are FG fans now and not leaving any time soon. DeSantis, like Scott before him, is a hardcore power hungry political hack. When Politico touted him weeks ago I was astonished as he’s such an ordinary, unimpressive pol. Another wanna be autocrat. He’s such a small man heedless to the dangers of his egocentric policies. As our fellow PressRun folks have written it’s all about access, imo. Fawning over Rs is the norm; ‘poor feckless Ds in disarray’ is media’s tiresome knee jerk reaction. Lives are being sacrificed at the feet of DeSantis. Where is THAT story Politico, per Eric?

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