#NCSEN: the drive-by media’s flexible definition of ‘controversial’

wrightIn 2008 and 2012, we were told not to worry about Barry Obama’s preachers — Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Michael Pfleger. We’re told that Bill Barber is a credible Man of God striving to help the state’s poor.  *He’s no kook.*

Now, in September 2014, we’ve got drive-by media lizards expressing all kinds of concerns about preachers on the right side of the political spectrum.  The N&O and The High Point Enterprise twisted Rev. Mark Walker’s words at a JUNE candidate forum to give their readers the impression he favors bombing mamacitas and their babies wading across the Rio Grande.

The Enterprise even suggested that Thom Tillis appearing with Walker might hurt Tillis in the Senate race.  Um, the last time I checked, Walker was looking a lot better in the polls than Tillis is. Walker ought to be the one concerned about being seen with the Senate nominee.

Today, The N&O is back at it again.  This time they are vomiting up Democrat opposition researchbarberhands from 2009 and 2013 on Rev. Mark Harris, a 2014 Senate primary candidate who is now backing Tillis. So, expressing concern about the effects the rise in working mothers has on the rearing of children trumps “God Damn America” and ”stuffing the ballot boxes with the bodies of slaves”?

We don’t get the criticism of Barber because his inner circle of advisers includes a former WTVD reporter and some former WRAL reporters who still have a lot of friends in the business.  The drive-bys lay off Wright and Pfleger because they don’t want to hurt their messiah, Saint Barry.

There are so many serious issues that need to be discussed.  But here we are focused on who is hanging out with what preacher, ”man-splaining”, who spent more money on government schools, and the minimum wage.  (SMH)

It is truly a shame that political reporting among the drive-bys has devolved into waiting for Ben Ray to send over a press release.