Argus Leader issues biased report in favor of Tim Johnson
Check out what has to be the absolutely most biased headline to ever come out of the Argus Leader:
Study: Thune, Herseth Sandlin lack power in Congress.
Pretty simple on it’s surface. Those two scored low in the latest “power rankings” I wrote about a couple of days ago. The problem? Embattled Senator Tim Johnson (who’s campaign is being managed by the gang that couldn’t shoot a camera straight) scored far lower than either of the two included in the headline.
It’s not “Delegation lacks power in Congress” The headline blares Thune and Herseth lack power… and mumble.. mumble.. about the other guy who was barely on the chart…. as buried in the third paragraph.
No media bias here at all. Nope. None at all….
UPDATE – Caught with their hand in the bias jar-
The Argus has now changed the Headline after they were caught in an unguarded moment.
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Comments
@Ben:
The study isn’t the point. If you want to debate the validity of the rankings then that’s one thing. But the fact that the Argus spun their headline Pro-Johnson is inescapable.
John Thune: Second highest Republican Senator in the area of “Legislation” passed and 8th overall. Except for Enzi(R) from Wyoming, Majority Leader Ried and Diane Feinstein (D), he is only preceeded by Democrats all with over 30 years experience and all are major committee chairman. John’s lack of influence is only related to being in the Minority w/ short seniority. His score is brought up on factors he can control (legislation and influence).
Way to go John.
Wow, I almost fell out of my chair to hear that the Argus is biased!! Is this same headline in the paper too? That can’t be changed like a .com can.
Now that we have proof of where they stand, they can no longer deny it. We’ll have to keep them honest, or at least attempt to. And they wonder why their readership has fallen off??!
The headline is biasd toward Johnson, but he ranks lower than Thune for influence score.
More BS from the Argus.
Wait, I thought that Johnson was “all-powerful” according to his brilliant strategist Steve Jarding??? Looks like Johnson is just a no-name senator who has got no power. On top of that, he spys and stalks his opponents…Time to send him packing
Goodbye kids. It’s been fun. But I’m not going to post here any more for a while. I have things to do that preclude my participation here. Thanks sincerely for putting up with me. Maybe later, but no more for now. XXXOOO, BF
Pretty tough to deny that the headline shows an obvious bias. And to the commenter arguing that Johnson’s illness is an excuse, look at what someone posted the other day:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/power_rankings/power_card.tt?id=537
2005 Rankings: 76 (GOP Senate)
2006 Rankings: 85
2007 Rankings: 51 (Dem Senate)
2008 Rankings: 90
Clearly, his illness hurt him this year – even their page on him says that, but Sen. Johnson wasn’t exactly blowing the doors off the place before.
Because I know you care, here is Thune:
2005 Rankings: 80 (GOP Senate; new Senator)
2006 Rankings: 81
2007 Rankings: 97 (Dem senator)
2008 Rankings: 77
Notice the 20-place jump in one year for no particular reason. Thune this year is #77 while in the minority. Johnson was #76 in 2005 while in the minority. This means that Thune got in 4 years to a point Johnson got in 10.
Thune is a real Show Pony on Capitol Hill.
Calendar Hunk, basketball star (Jumpshot Jesus) and darling of the rubber chicken circuit raising money for GOP candidates.
No suprise we lost Lewis and Clark Funding.
I thought he had the President’s ear on that one.
Say what you will about Tom Daschle, but we never lacked for getting earmarks.
BF is that really you??? Are you really going to quit posting here for awhile? Do those “things to do” include another meanie mailing?
John passed up a powerful position with the GOP to focus on state issues. Either way the state benefits.
Nobody ever heard of Johnson before he got sick. He is a nice enough guy but hasn’t exactly been a standout Senator.
Under the influence category, Senator Johnson ranks 99th, ahead of just one person. That would be the illegal gay sex soliciting Larry “i can’t find my wedding ring” Craig. All this time, I assumed from reading the Johnson’s office press releases that the office had not missed a beat. Shame on me for believing them.
Every senator has the same amount of power. They all have one vote. No one has more than that. Not even John Thune.
Just another example in a long history of extremely biased reporting from this branch of the Drive-By Media. Yes, the Drooling Senator needs to go.
That’s what they said when Thune ran agianst Johnson in ‘02 and Daschle in ‘04. We’ll see what they have to say after he’s McCain’s VP!
As for Herseth-Sandlin what do you expect!!!
pp, don’t ever put a screen shot of the argus’s website up. it gives me a headache.
your site is simple and classy. they could learn a thing or two from you.
HEY FLEMING!! I’ll bet my prediction is right. When Johnson was sick, Fleming spun it out of control and was a big defender (and whiner) on this blog and elsewhere. I asked whether Fleming was auditioning for a piece of the Johnson campaign pie. I’m betting he got a slice.
To Get Real 2:56: “No suprise we lost Lewis and Clark Funding.” Yep, blame Thune, when the sainted Johnson has been in the Senate for twice as long and touts himself as being on Appropriations. Take it up with him, pal, about Lewis and Clark.
Right, but he has been out of commission for 9 months. I’m sure that doesn’t reassure you toward his effectiveness, but historically how could not view Johnson as effective? How about the appropriations committee!