I always go to the Drudge Report when I need a quick glimpse at what’s happening in the news. I use it because its partisan reporting contrasts my own biases as well as for a simple layout that is easy to digest that prioritizes the biggest story. Today, the day before the election, Drudge’s biggest story was this:
Yes, that is a picture of Obama flicking off the camera. It links to a nineteen second clip of Obama speaking and congratulating McCain for the race he has fought.
He itches his face or maybe goes to pick his nose, realizes he is on camera and stops. (Ring any bells?) This itch of defiance is all McCain’s supporters have to go against Obama with. I find it hard to believe that even McCain’s supporters think Obama is giving the finger to their campaign or that Drudge believes that himself. This is a ridiculous attempt at news, and it shows the downside to blogging. The gatekeeping here is clearly out of whack.
I chose to talk about this article because it legitimately looks like it could be on The Onion. I have kissed The Onion’s ass so much on this blog that my eyes are beginning to water, but there’s a reason for that. Take a look at this story they published back in 1993. It is about a forklift driver’s interview with Rush Limbaugh and its apparent significance to the public. The guy is just an average American who uses basic thinking about Bill Clinton to vilify him, while maintaining naive, untrue views of the man. Sounds familiar… In fact, it sounds dead on.
Joe the Plumber is our nation’s Roy the Forklift Driver. He is a symbol, but when used as anything more than that will fail and fail again. When Shep Smith says, “Man, it just gets frightening sometimes,” the game is over.
Who knows though? Maybe this just isn’t Joe the Plumber’s election to save. Tito the contractor?
