Media Bias: 1980-1992

The Media declared open season on Ronald Reagan from the time he won the GOP nomination. They were excited at the chance of bringing down another president, but were also frantic about destroying and discrediting Reaganism. Almost immediately, they were blunted by John Hinkley Jr. Hinkley attempted to assassinate President Reagan. Reagan survived and was able to push through his economic stimulus package. After what they deemed an appropriate waiting period, they pounced.

Throughout Reagan's eight years, the press alternated their portrayal of the president. Sometimes he was a kindly dolt. Other times, Reagan was a criminal mastermind. At the same time, they attempted to demonstrate the failure of Reagan's policies by finding people that fell through the cracks. They'd portray the worst case scenario as the reality for the masses. Their efforts failed and Reagan remained popular. Desperate, in 1987, the press and some Democrats attempted to criminalize policy differences.

When the Iran-Contra Scandal broke, the press did its best to drive Reagan from office. When Oliver North testified before Congress in his marine uniform and Reagan fessed up, the scandal dissipated and Reagan's popularity began to rise. Congress later repealed the Boland Amendment which made almost everything moot. (The amendment was probably unconstitutional to begin with).

After failing to destroy Reagan, they went after Reaganism. The press attacked the Republican nominee, George H.W. Bush and campaigned for Governor Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts. Dukakis was everything the press wanted. He was an eastern elite and an unrepentant liberal. George H.W. Bush was a moderate and an eastern elite himself (more so than Dukakis), but he was Reagan's veep. 1988 would be one of the dirtiest campaigns of all time and the press was partially responsible.

The media accused Bush of wimpiness. Bush responded by engaging in a shouting match with Dan Rather. Then, the Republicans used the media to their advantage. This always drives the press nuts. Negative ads flew every couple of minutes in key states. Dukakis did face a tough question during the debates, but his answer came across as disingenuous. Bush won in 1988 and the press seethed.

The press could not take on George H.W. Bush for much of his first term. Bush was extremely popular until early 1992. The economy slowed and the press intentionally exaggerated the downturn. They took their cue from the Democratic nominee, Bill Clinton. Clinton was not their first choice. Originally, Clinton was seen as a hillbilly good old boy. The press preferred Mario Cuomo of New York. Cuomo should have run, but didn't. The other candidates in the Democratic field included Jerry Brown and Paul Tsongas. The press made fun of Brown. He was from California and they dubbed him "Governor Moonbeam." The press loved Paul Tsongas. He was from Massachusetts and was a cancer survivor. They openly attacked Clinton until he won the nomination. Then, it was all quiet on the western front.

Media images could not be more stark. Bush was old, tired, and out of touch. Clinton was young, vigorous, and hip. When Bush made the mistake of looking at his watch during a debate, the press ran the clip over and over (Michael Dukakis thought it was unfair). When the Iran Contra prosecutor indicted key figures in the scandal days before the election, the press had an orgy. When news that the recession had ended came out days before the election, the press sat on the story until the day after the election.

Prior to 1980, media bias was based on class and status. After Reagan's rise to power and the shift from the Great Society to Reagan's Society, the press shifted. Republicans followed Reagan's lead, and the press ran to the Democrats. Strains in that alliance would appear during Bill Clinton's term as president.