Attack the Messenger: How Politicians Turn You Against the Media

With a sardonic wit rarely heard in today's vacuous media echo chamber, MSNBC-CBS-Imus-CQ political pundit Craig Crawford provides an erudite treatise on why political journalism is in such turmoil. His analysis is as clear as Ketel One vodka on the rocks; his interpretation of the new media's impact on political coverage is as meaty as a triple-decker club sandwich. In this era of gotchya journalism and the politicians who hate it, Crawford provides a scholarly take on the hows and whys on the modern blabbocracy.

Crawford tells it like it is - even if it exposes George W. Bush for railroading the country into war or Bill Clinton for lying about a more personal faux pas. He even shares his own hate mail, being upfront about what some of his critics are thinking. But in the end, we get a fair look at how it is from the media's point of view...why what looks like a rude follow-up question from a reporter was actually necessary to avoid a politician's attempt to dodge and spin. Crawford's examples from recent history tie it all together.

Mr. Crawford's pulling back the curtain that surrounds the media/political world that is Washington DC is both compelling and more then a little scary. His examples of how the First Amendment is damaged by the constant battling between the press and polaticans are troubling for all that believe that a free press is the only tool Americans have to protect our freedoms. Crawford's insights are sharp and unique and therefore a must read for anyone that's interested in the present art of "the spin" and how it's used for both good and evil.

Crawford brings to the mainstream a debate that's been taking place among journalists for years. As citizen journalism grows, the power of the "MSM" will only grow as someone will always be looked to, to call "balls and strikes." This means the strategy of politicians (no matter their party) attacking the media will continue. (The Clintons were just as bad about attacking the media, er, messenger, as the Bushes) And this book details just how harmful the discrediting of journalism is to the Republic. Crawford has a unique ability to see things with a vision most in DC don't have. It helps that Crawford never forgets his roots, something that's always refreshing during his must listen to appearances on "Imus." He's never a "conventional wisdom" rehasher. Crawford also brings to light the debate about "bias." He correctly reminds readers that all journalists have bias. Sometimes the bias is for an ideology, sometimes for a person and sometimes for an issue. A good journalist is "Fair and Biased." Bottom line, whether you are a casual follower of politics or an up-and-coming journalist/blogger, this is a must read book. You won't be disappointed.

Once I picked it up I didn't want to put it down again. Craig Crawford has provided compelling and insightful criticism of the role of politicians and the press in the erosion of public trust in the media. A sobering look at the intersection of politics and media as it exists today. A must read for consumers of news and information, but should be of particular interest to students of Journalism, Public Policy and Political Science. Craig offers much needed historical context for the breakdown in trust between the politicians, the press and the public. He makes an eloquent case for the importance of a free press to a healthy democracy. We all benefit when the press is free to serve its ultimate purpose of watchdog and informant for the public, and we all suffer when that process is eroded. Everyone should read this book. Buy this book! Buy this book! Seriously, you'll be glad you did.