3. Are some Blue Dogs sidestepping the political heat?
First, I have an original Blue Dog pin and will never sell it on Ebay. Blue Dogs are a unique breed of moderate to conservative Democrats, but they aren’t Republicans. If you think about it, the Democrat Party looks like America with diverse groups at the table debating issues. President Obama has a bold policy agenda and at some point the issues are too progressive for some Blue Dogs. I was working at the Congress on the day current gubernatorial candidate Nathan Deal switched to the GOP—we liked Nathan the day before and we liked him the next day. Deal’s departure seemed natural or organic for a person from his conservative district.
Congressmen walk a thin line between party loyalty and independence but when the GOP needs their members, those members are there. Why can’t President Obama have that same loyalty on historic votes? Loyal Democrats are catching “hot heat” for the healthcare reform vote while others are chilling in the shade. The same Blue Dogs who ran campaign ads featuring their support of a GOP president will be slamming Obama and congressional Democrats on the air this fall. These members are tossing fellow Blue Dogs under the bus.
4. Are some Republicans uncomfortable with non-GOP supporters?
Have you ever seen a candidate who doesn’t want public support? To be honest, some Black activists took a backseat during the Obama campaign so the effort did not seem like a Black v. White situation (which it wasn’t.) In a similar situation, some GOP candidates seem to downplay their supporters who are Democrats because their base might feel they are slipping to the left. Say What?
I think most candidates enjoy any sincere support, but the campaign staff often comes from the red meat selection of their party. When the campaign event comes on the local news, I want to see a crowd that looks like Georgia. We must highlight Georgia’s history of peaceful living as an economic development tool. Companies don’t want to bring jobs to a region if they think employees will be fight a mini Civil War in the break room. In the era of the angry mob, GOP candidates with a range of supporters deserve respect.
5. Are Fox News and MSNBC putting political agendas over journalism?
I love CNN because the reporting is balanced—literally. This Georgia based operation puts pundits from the left, right and center on the stage at the same time. Fox News and MSNBC seem to execute a political agenda that flexes the traditional rules of journalism. While I watch these channels for diversity reasons, I can’t help but think that the slant is blatantly obvious to some and not to others. Glenn Beck was correct when he said that his job is entertainment—not running the nation. I hope other Americans know that.
Project Logic Ga 
Slyram:
You are correct on your analysis but wrong on your application.
From the perspective of the prevailing ideology in the BLACK COMMUNITY:
* Fox News gets protested against
* MSNBC gets invited on stage at an MLK Rally (along with Media Matters – that watches Fox so Progressives Don’t Have To, MoveOn.org and their spawn The Color Of Change)
What you have done with your comparison is what I call “Equalization without considering Proportion”
If you have reasoned that both networks are biased and you prefer balance then it stands to reason that you should be up in arms that those who PURPORT to represent the Black Community’s Permanent Interests are in bed with the Progressive Biased network.
I notice that Rachael Maddow doesn’t not do aggressive SCRUTINY of STREET PIRATE ON BLACK crime – JUST LIKE THE BLACK POLITICIAN seeks to avoid until it is unavoidable. Maddow knows that her audience wants conspiracy theories against RIGHT WING MILITIAS, stringing their actions into one common link so that an INDICTMENT of their enemy can be made. They place “minorities” at risk.
Even though the evidence shows that STREET PIRATES are a top threat to “minorities” Maddow realizes that there is no BENEFIT in covering them as she does “right wing militias” and Tea Parties.
* Her Black Audience would be riled up IF she “portrayed Black people as criminals” (as they apply racial cover to the Street Pirates that don’t give a damn about attacking Blacks)
* Her Black Audience doesn’t mind if she doesn’t talk about Black community problems in depth in, by pointing to problems WITHIN instead of blaming racism and structure problems with America that need to change. Instead if she says that these are the consequences of 400 years of racism – all is good with this segment of the audience.
You see Slyram – MSNBC is WORSE than Fox News when we apply the Malcolm X “Snarling Fox” filter. This is because our community is aware of FOX NEWS and keeps it at a distance (1.38% black viewership). MSNBC, however is UP ON STAGE AS A FEATURED GUEST. (20% Black audience)
CF: MSNBC’s primetime lineup is the reason I included them next to Fox News. I start every weekday morning with Morning Joe because Scarborough was a smart congressman when I worked on the Hill and the MJ team has balance at the table at the same time.
Overall, people believe to much of what they see on T.V. news without thinking that the reporters are driving ratings and ad sells.
CF: lets have these discussions in forums in Georgia before the election..it would be great. email me.