For each entry, include the following as the TITLE

1) the title of the news article (in quotation marks);

2) the author of the article if one is listed (Associated Press & Reuters count as authors);

3) where you read the story (eg: New York Times online), in italics;

4) The URL of the story if you read it online; the page number(s) if you read it in print;

5) the date the story was published (and if you read it on line, the time you consulted it).

At the end of the summary, write your name!

 

"Obama Takes Time for a Woman Dear to Him"

By Julie Bosman

The New York Times online

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/us/politics/22grandmother.html?ref=politics

Published October 21, 2008 (Viewed October 22, 2008)

 

 

Recently Obama has put aside his campaign to visit his sick grandmother in Hawaii. His grandmother, Madeyln Dunham, all but raised Obama when he was a child. Obama describes her as a “tough-as-nails” woman who liked simple things. Obama often incorporated her into his speeches, which highlighted her influence on her. Although details of her condition have not been released, it is known that her condition is very serious. With all the respect he has for his grandmother, Obama confesses her prejudice towards blacks. Obama remarks how her comments often made him “cringe” when he heard them. While in Hawaii Obama visited his grandmother with his family every day, and also visited the cemetery where his grandfather was buried. Some think that this whole week long trip is a ploy to get voters to see his “white side” at a point in time where the McCain camp is trying to confuse his identity.

This article seemed fairly unbiased, however it does seem to try and play the sympathy card towards Obama. Reasuring that he is a family man, and is willing to put his campaign on hold to see his grandmother.

Diego Scerbo

"

"Volunteers for Obama Face a Complex Issue"

 

In Elko Nevada, a largely white, rural area, Cathy Vance went door to door campaigning for Obama. When Vance encounters a prejudice person, she reminds the person that Obama is only “half black” and that he was raised by his white side, and has the same white views as other whites. When other Obama supporters caught wind of this, they were outraged on how a supporter could portray Obama like this. However, this is the strategy most Obama advocates are taking now to gain supporters. By taking the issue away from his race, and trying to focus it on something else, like the economy, advocates believe that they can gain more voters. The idea of “canvassing for Obama” is quite common, and many advocates are using it as a means to get him elected.

This like a conservative view in this article. I think the author is trying to get to the dark underside of Obama supporters.

 

"McCain: ‘Who Is the Real Barack Obama?"

By

Michael Cooper

The New York Times Online

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/mccain-who-is-the-real-barack-obama/?scp=8&sq=Barack%20Obama&st=cse

Published October 6, 2008 Viewed October 23, 2008

 

Senator McCain asked in Albuquerque, “Who is the real Barack Obama”. He also talked about Barack Obama accepting 33,000 of illegal money from Palestine, which he had to return. McCain points out how Sen. Obama is very private about his life and very secretive, calling Obama a “risky” choice for voters. McCain draws attention to Obama’s secrecy, stating that he offers no background information when asked about his political experience. People at McCain rallies often heckle Obama when he is mentioned. This seems like an attempt by McCain again to tarnish Obama with verbal insults, trying to make him seem like the sketchy candidate. It seems a little biases in trying to make McCain seem like a mud slinger

Diego Scerbo

"Which Candidate is Al Qaeda's Choice?"

By Jake Tapper

ABC News Online

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/10/which-candidate.html

October 23, 2008 8:23 AM October 23, 2008

 

A recent post on a Muslim website, al-Hesbah,  says that the candidate al-Queda wants for president is John McCain. A so called war “war hawk”, the article says that McCain will follow in George Bush’s footsteps if al-Queda launches another terrorist attack. The article reasons that McCain will start another war, and it will eventually “exhaust” the United States and it will be defeated. Randy Sheuemann, McCains senior policy advisor, explains how Ahmed Yousef, spokesperson of Hamas, who explains that Arab nations actually welcome Obama and Biden in the White House because of their stance on foreign policy. McCains advisor described how Obama would be al-Quedas choice for America’s president. This article seems unbiased as it shows both issues. However it seems to be leaning towards McCain because of the extensive report on why Obama would be al-Quedas choice.

 

 

"Many reasons still for Obama to worry, and McCain to hope"

By Scott Helman

The Boston Globe online

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/10/26/many_reasons_still_for_obama_to_worry_and_mccain_to_hope/?page=1

Published October 26, 2008

Viewed October 26, 2008

 

While Obama seems to be leading in the polls it is not a guarantee that he will be in the white house November 4^th. While he could be the first African American president, McCain could still pull out a win if racial bias becomes an issue. There is also the issue of undecided voters who could swing towards McCain rather than Obama. While confident, the Obama campaign still knows that they need to battle towards the White House. The message of “change” in Obama’s campaign is shared among many voters, who feel this country has taken a turn for the worst in the last eight years. However, skeptics feel that Obama is subject to the Bradley Effect (explained in article), and may lose this election due to racial prejudice. Still the biggest deal breaker is the undecided voters, who Obama seems to be having trouble with. McCain supports remain hopeful, saying that the undecided voters will see that McCain is the right choice for this country. This article appears to be slightly liberal, the bulk of it is about how Obama will get votes , and it hardly mentions McCain.

 

"Blacks worry about polls vs. reality in Obama campaign"

 

By GROMER JEFFERS Jr.

The Dallas News Online

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/DN-blackfears_26pol.ART.State.Edition2.4a734c9.html

Published October 26, 2008

Viewed October 26, 2008

 

 

Many African American voters are excited for the possibility of a African American president, but still many more remain skeptical. Feeling as though their hopes were dashed before, they feel now will not be any different. Many feel that white supporters of Obama are merely just saying they are, others feel that votes for Obama will be purposely miss counted come election time. Many African Americans have been hoping and praying for him to win, and are very nervous about the upcoming election. Most cannot overcome their skepticism. Skeptics also feel that white, rural blue collared voters will shift the election towards McCain’s side also. Some in Dallas however feel that he has overcome so much already, and will win it all on November 4^th. This article appears to be slightly liberal, it puts a of sympathies on the African American vote, and makes the reader feel sympathetic towards voting for Obama.

 

From what I have found i feel that most of these articles lean to the left or to the right, however not bluntly. There seems to be, in most blue states a sympathy towards Obama. Showing his good sides, and telling the audience how much people want him elected. For the most part, the mention of race hasn't been quite subtle, like the examples in class, but there were some where his race was mentioned only briefly and as a side-note. Some foreign articles I found where very much liberal, describing bluntly how they feel about the republican party. I think most of the articles when they are talking about race, are using previous controversy as their basis for their statements. Usually mentioning race as a hypothetical question in the article. Others bluntly talk about his race in sections of the article.

 

"Sense of Unease in Some Black Voters"

 

Viewed October 30, 2008

 

Decided voters who voted early are worried about rumors they heard that their votes will not be counted or lost. Blacks feel that their votes will not be counted. An underlying racial bias, they feel, will dash the hopes of a first black president, and of the “change” that he speaks of. Many older blacks who have lived through the racial charged era of the 60s feel that the system is corrupt, and that their votes will never be heard. Despite reassurance by election supervisors, many blacks still feel that Obama will be cheated out of this election. Many feel that there is a trend of blacks getting their hopes up than dashed away at the last minute. Interviewed people felt that something will happen, “the electricity going out” or “the buses not operating” something that will purposely stop them from getting their vote across. I think this article is slightly biased to the left. It seems to try and play on the sympathies of people. It purposefully only gets the opinions of African-Americans.

 

"Obama effigy found"

The Straits Times online

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_296389.html

Published October 30, 2008 Viewed October 30, 2008

 

In Lexington, Kentucky, a life sized Barack Obama likeness was found hanging from a noose near the University of Kentucky. This act is a confirming factor for many who believe that Barack Obama’s life is in jeopardy due to racial prejudice still around. The president of the University Lee Todd will personally apologize to the family of Barack Obama on behalf of the school, and that he feels the crime was a disgusting act. Governor Steve Beshear felt the incident was “embarrassing” and “offensive”. The first time an effigy was found was in Oregon of Senator McCain surrounded by flames, and Palin hanging from a noose. I felt that this article was not biased in any way. It seemed to just present the facts of the situation

 

 

Diego Scerbo

Outline for Paper 4

Is this article…

Bias by commission?

How?

Bias by omission?

How

By story selection?

Which side is it omitting facts from

By Placement?

                Is it on the upper fold? Lower fold? What page?

Selection of Sources?

                Do they cite credible people?

                Do they use vague terms like “experts say” or “observers think” etc

                Do they mention the persons title (professor of so and so)

By Spin?

                Does the article put things in a better perspective concerning one side of the story?

By labeling?

                Does one group have a label with a negative connotation?

                Does another group have a label with a positive connotation?

By Policy Recommendation or Condemnation?

                Does the article urge a particular policy?

                Does it only seem to bring up or favor a particular policy from one side?