Here it is---ABC making sure Barack Obama knows how he can win election and save the nation from disaster, both at the same time---and they will be there to help.
You may have heard there's this storm on the east coast, Sandy. A "Mega Super Storm" is what ABC News has called it. Complete with disaster music, new motion graphics and the Extreme Weather Team on the ground. Few storms live up to the media hype and let's hope this one follows that predictable track.
This column is not about the seriousness of the storm, but about ABC and the politics of disaster and how the network is both advising the president, and creating his template for success.
Witness this set-up discussion Sunday morning between Dan Harris and George Stephanopoulos.
Dan (liberal question asker): "If you're the president, how do you manage campaigning, because his job is truly on the line here, with governing and managing perhaps a large disaster?"
George (Clinton's boy): "You show you're in touch and that's why the president has already put out photos of him talking to the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and he's also returning to the White House tomorrow afternoon already cancelling some events. The biggest problem for the president now, if he makes any mishandling of this storm it could affect the final days of this race more than any other factor."
Interpreted, what they're saying is: "Dear Leader, get back to the White House so that we can show everybody how brilliant you are and how you have saved America from this disaster. You just do what we say, we will take care of the rest."
Of course, this is all a set-up and is easily manipulated. You find out how effective true leaders are by how they react when they are outside the glare of the spotlight.
We have the perfect example, and ABC has virtually ignored it.
Anybody at ABC heard of the terrorist attack on Benghazi? Oh ya, you've done the story alright (a :15 reader by the anchor in the B-block,) but have you bothered to connect this directly to the White House as an example of how Barack Obama is as a leader? No, you have not.
Obama watched for hours on video as Americans were attacked and killed at a US Consulate. He could've sent in help and did not. Then he knowingly lied about the cause of the terrorist attack. He sent others to lie about the terrorist attack, then he took off on Air Force One to Las Vegas for a campaign event.
That's what he did and you know that's what he did, but you refuse to tell that story.
Instead, you now approach your viewers with a template that will be used by you to try to save his failed presidency in the final days of this election.
How do you put on your make-up and walk on set with a clear conscience and try to tell your viewers that you are "looking out for them?"
Besides, if Benghazi has taught us one thing, if the president does "mishandle this storm," the Activist Old Media won't report it.
Follow Ron Futrell on twitter @RonFutrell
