September 30, 2016

How the New York Times portrays Hillary's failing in Ohio.

Headline: "Ohio, Long a Bellwether, Is Fading on the Electoral Map." Text:
After decades as one of America’s most reliable political bellwethers, an inevitable presidential battleground that closely mirrored the mood and makeup of the country, Ohio is suddenly fading in importance this year.
What a crazy flip! It's Ohio that's losing — Ohio that's "fading." If Ohio wants to be important, it will need to put Hillary Clinton in a competitive position.
It is a jarring change for political veterans here, who relish being at the center of the country’s presidential races: Because of newer battleground states, Mrs. Clinton can amass the 270 electoral votes required to win even if she loses Ohio.
Well, it is true that the states that lean too far toward one party end up getting ignored. States need to be more flirtatious if they want attention. Don't get married or exciting activity will pass you by.

58 comments:

Meade said...

"Don't get married or exciting activity will pass you by."

Yeah, like herpes, for example.

bleh said...

I'm pretty sure Obama won 270 votes even without Ohio.

David Begley said...

"Don't get married or exciting activity will pass you by."

LOL

David Begley said...


Althouse + Meade are today's Burns and Allen.

Susan said...

It would probably be better for Hillary if she doesn't win. We will only let her down. The American people are SUCH a disappointment.

We never know what's good for us.

Psota said...

Missouri used to be a bellwether state until about 10-15 years ago when it went reliably red. Now it's bellwether of nothing.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Ann Althouse said...What a crazy flip! It's Ohio that's losing — Ohio that's "fading." If Ohio wants to be important, it will need to put Hillary Clinton in a competitive position.

You're not really surprised, are you Professor? James Taranto at WSJ has been highlighting Media framing Dem stumbles as "America has let Obama down" for many years now.

The literal ridiculousness of asserting "that's not who we are" when the "that" covers many millions of Americans (who are certainly part of the "we") doesn't seem to phase anyone.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Meade said..."Don't get married or exciting activity will pass you by."

Yeah, like herpes, for example.


Nonsense! You don't think one cheating spouse can pass an STI to the other spouse? Do you think Hillary Clinton wouldn't have gotten an STI if Monica Lewinsky had one while Bill Clinton was acting as a progressive, respectful feminist man towards his employee (engaging in sexual activity with an intern in the Oval Office)? Seems like the Clintons managed to have plenty of exciting activity while married--between the infidelity itself, the perjury, attacking (honest) accusers, etc they were probably pretty excited.

Todd said...

HoodlumDoodlum said...

The literal ridiculousness of asserting "that's not who we are" when the "that" covers many millions of Americans (who are certainly part of the "we") doesn't seem to phase anyone.

9/30/16, 7:56 AM


You give them WAY too much credit. Whenever a "journalist" says we, the "we" to which they refer is themselves, their friends, associates, and other folks in their "clic". You know, all "right" thinking peoples. Not you and I. We "plebs" are not "we", we are "they".

Todd said...

HoodlumDoodlum said...

Nonsense! You don't think one cheating spouse can pass an STI to the other spouse? Do you think Hillary Clinton wouldn't have gotten an STI if Monica Lewinsky had one while Bill Clinton was acting as a progressive, respectful feminist man towards his employee (engaging in sexual activity with an intern in the Oval Office)? Seems like the Clintons managed to have plenty of exciting activity while married--between the infidelity itself, the perjury, attacking (honest) accusers, etc they were probably pretty excited.

9/30/16, 8:02 AM


Sorry to raise this BUT do you really think he was still "hitting that", then?

Bob Boyd said...

"The Mother of Presidents" gives Hillary up for adoption.

PB said...

All bad news must be diminished in importance. when the Candidate/Party speaks, the media must echo in amplitude.

2 weeks ago it was birtherism (which Hillary's minions started)
1 week ago it was Trump lies (which is a pretty bold accusation from Hillary)
This week it's a 20 year old alleged comment about a beauty queen.

All the while many, many things come out about Clinton and Obama that in years past would have them prosecuted and convicted (if they didn't fall on their sword first).

Curious George said...

"HoodlumDoodlum said...

Nonsense! You don't think one cheating spouse can pass an STI to the other spouse? Do you think Hillary Clinton wouldn't have gotten an STI if Monica Lewinsky had one while Bill Clinton was acting as a progressive, respectful feminist man towards his employee (engaging in sexual activity with an intern in the Oval Office)?"

Do you really think Bill was fucking Hillary when he was President, or since?

traditionalguy said...

Let the the October surprises begin.

There are 39 days left to go until the Trump Revolution rolls into town. That is not much time to unload all of Sid Blumenthal's "prove they are untrue" mini scandal stories. Nor is it much time for the rest of the World's aggressive powers to take advantage of Obama's stood down USA.

Laslo Spatula said...

Trump soldiers and Donald coming,
We're finally on our own.
This autumn I hear the drumming,
Eighteen Votes in Ohio.


I am The Replacement Laslo.

traditionalguy said...

I for one respect Hillary enough to assume that she was faithful to her female sexual partners. You see what happened to Vince Foster when he bragged about getting into Hillary's pants.

Sebastian said...

"What a crazy flip!" Faux astonishment, right? Sure, it's creative even for prog journalists to downplay the weight of the bellwether when it turn the wrong way, but "crazy"? Nah. It's who they are, it's what they do.

Megthered said...

BDNYC said-I'm pretty sure Obama won 270 votes even without Ohio.

9/30/16, 7:43 AM

Obama won Ohio both times. That was then, this time Ohio is not so good.

gspencer said...

This is from the same file cabinet which gave birth to "Mistakes were made."

When personal fault or blame is completely eliminated, we'll all be so much better off. Particularly for "dead broke" politicians.

Anonymous said...

That map of Ohio was the only thing we all belonged to...

madAsHell said...

Ohio is disappointing Hillary, but she doesn't need Ohio.
Good luck with that!!

CStanley said...

Not surprising, but hilarious nonetheless.

I'm picturing a political cartoon: a map of Ohio with a grapevine, and a fox in a pantsuit turning her back and muttering about the sour quality of those grapes.

Mick said...

These propagandists are laughable in their desperation. Trump will win Fla. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and New York, and garner 10-15% of the BLACK VOTE. It will be a Landslide of epic proportions.
The Crooked Old Lady and the Usurper are desperately blitzing Florida in hopes they can salvage what is already lost. Attacks in all MSM outlets on Trump are reaching max intensity. "Trump is a racist", "Trump cheats on his taxes", "Trump is a misogynist", "Trump broke the Cuba embargo", "Trumps foundation under investigation". NONE of which is true of course, and nothing can equivocate the Crooked Old Lady's illegal term as SOS (violation of Emoluments Clause-- she served in the Senate during a term that gave SOS a raise), where she set the world on fire and got millions killed in the "Arab Spring", which set in motion the global migration crisis. She killed an ambassador who knew too much about the gun-running to "Anti- Assad rebels" (which are now ISIS), when she and the Usurper (and their banker handlers) were founding ISIS.
Trump is of course right. The Crooked Old Lady and the Usurper founded ISIS, the FED is a political body that is creating the biggest bubble ever in order to prop up the Usurper and back the Crooked Old Lady. One hundred years of Liberal policy has decimated our inner cities and caused the marginalization and desperation of the black race.

NO ONE believes the media except the dyed in the wool red diaper babies, who are incapable of reason and logic. The public hates the media as much as Congress, and as long as Congress (establishment politicians) and media attack Trump he will get stronger. Game, Set Match. This is the death of the media right before our eyes. Only the cancellation of the election can stop Trump, or if they kill him, and that is a distinct possibility, as the criminals will do anything to hold onto power.

Eric the Fruit Bat said...

Suddenly fading sounds like something that would require bleach.

Chuck said...

These propagandists are laughable in their desperation. Trump will win Fla. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and New York, and garner 10-15% of the BLACK VOTE.


Haha. I promise not to tell Professor Althouse that you used the word "garner," if you will agree to bet me on the question of Trump winning 15% of the black vote.

I've already got action with Fabi on that one. Now it's your turn.

rehajm said...

The View of the World from 9th Avenue no longer includes Ohio. (Did it ever?)

If you know what's good for you Florida...

Laslo Spatula said...

"Meade said...
"Don't get married or exciting activity will pass you by."

"Yeah, like herpes, for example."

Herpes is a small price to pay for the action of hanging out at bars every evening, getting black-out drunk and waking next to a girl you don't recognize in a room that is not your own.


I am The Replacement Laslo.

Static Ping said...

"Bellwether." You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Going to the dictionary, a bellwether is the leader of a flock of sheep, the "bell" part coming from the fact that it was normally wearing a bell. By extension it has become known as the leader that the others follow, whether that be an industry, trend, or mob. What it does NOT mean is that it is always up for grabs. Actually, that would be the exact opposite of what a bellwether is supposed to be, which is a leader. Ohio's reputation as a bellwether is the fact that it regularly votes for the winner of Presidential elections, scoring 28 out of the last 30. Now it's voting percentages tend to be very close to the national voting percentages, which is very interesting, but a bellwether state could vote 90/10 every election as long as it always picks the winner. If Ohio votes for Trump and Trump wins, then it remains the bellwether even if it is was not a key swing state this time. By extension, the Times misuse of vocabulary implies that Trump will lose, which is probably what the Times thinks and desperately wants to be true.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

One of the reddest states this time around is.... Arkansas. What does that tell ya? The state that produced the crime family and elevated them to power, understands more than any other - big mistake!

320Busdriver said...


rehajm said...

If you know what's good for you Florida.

Precisely. But it would seem that the Donald can not help himself doing things that look like sabotage.

Known Unknown said...

"I didn't lose Ohio, Ohio lost me."

Fabi said...

They're fat-shaming Ohio.

khesanh0802 said...

@Susan @ 7:51 Wonderful! I had a full belly laugh on that one. It's so damn apparent that Clinton feels we are all here to serve her.

M Jordan said...

Trump's enemies grow in volume and melodrama by the hour. USA Today's idiotic editorial Dis-endorsing him was a real beauty.

I'm beginning to really believe he takes this thing.

bleh said...

@ Peggy Coffey, I know he won Ohio both times. Maybe I was being unclear, so allow me to clarify. Even if Obama had lost Ohio in 2008 and 2012, he still would have won those elections.

Ohio is still a toss-up and could decide an election as close as this one, unlike in 2008 and 2012. I don't agree with the NY Times.

bleh said...

In other words, Ohio should be MORE important to the campaigns in 2016 than it was in 2008 and 2012. Hillary would be insane to cede Ohio, unless her internal polls are telling her something bad.

cubanbob said...

Besides taxes ( a big deal for me) I want the orange haired boor to win in the hope (perhaps forlorn)that he will prosecute the Clinton Crime Family all the way down the line. It would be especially pleasing if He Who Can't Be Named But Is On The Way Out The Door gets nailed as well.

khesanh0802 said...

Mick @ 8;50 There are days when I want to give you a big hug because you are so good for my morale. I enjoy a man who doesn't equivocate. I hope that you are 100% correct!

tcrosse said...

In other words, the voters of Ohio are too old, white, and uneducated to realize what is required of them. Deplorable !

Big Mike said...

Don't get married or exciting activity will pass you by.

@Meade, that's a challenge if ever I read one. Try reading this book and following its advice.

eric said...

I don't think Trump has a chance in New York.

However, he is close in new Jersey.

mikee said...

When you already have the extra ballot boxes stuffed with Hillary votes, ready to be counted on November 8th, in each of the key Ohio precincts, there is no need to campaign there any more.

Curious George said...

"BDNYC said...
In other words, Ohio should be MORE important to the campaigns in 2016 than it was in 2008 and 2012. Hillary would be insane to cede Ohio, unless her internal polls are telling her something bad.

If she isn't going there, and she's not, then yep bad things. Spending $$$ at this point is no indicator as I would think they have max dollars committed to every market of any importance. I also wonder how valuable TV ads are anymore anyway.

Big Mike said...

@Althouse, Static Ping filled you in on the "bell" part. A "wether" is a castrated ram. It can be kept with the ewes and generally leads them.

RMc said...

Obviously, Ohio's leaders will have to dissolve the people and elect another.

Drago said...

"lifelong republican" Chuck is clearly equally upset that Ohio is not going his gal's way.

Rob McLean: "Obviously, Ohio's leaders will have to dissolve the people and elect another."

As a strategic ploy played out over the last 4 decades, the dems have been quite successful at precisely that.

With any "luck" the dems will recreate Juarez or Caracas in every US city.

HoodlumDoodlum said...

EMD said..."I didn't lose Ohio, Ohio lost me."

I thought more of Sunset Blvd, something like "I am popular; it's Ohio that got unpopular."

Birkel said...

In thinking about the black vote, if turnout is down significantly the proportion of conservative blacks might be higher. Then, if Trump peels off an additional 3-4% he might get 15%.

But I would guess trump falls short of that 15% mark...

BTW, are the black Cubans in Florida counted as black or Latino?

Bad Lieutenant said...

eric said...
I don't think Trump has a chance in New York.

However, he is close in new Jersey.

9/30/16, 10:17 AM


RCP has Trump within 2.1 in NY! Remember he is a Native Son. People there understand him, and forgive him his trespasses.


Chuck, RCP also has Trump at 16% of blacks today. I think 10-15% is not unreasonable.


...Man, if Hillary lost NY she'd eat Vince Foster's gun.

Bad Lieutenant said...

Someone intimated that Kasich could put the shiv into Trump in OH. What could he do that he's not already doing?

mockturtle said...

All this spin is making me dizzy.

richardsson said...

I think we saw this movie before....in the Spring of 2008.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

The NYT is playing a deep game here. It's a subtle attempt to get inside Donald Trump's head and appeal to his inner cheapness. "Ohio doesn't matter anymore, I read it in the NYT, so why should we spend my money in Ohio?"

Mick said...

khesanh0802 said...
"Mick @ 8;50 There are days when I want to give you a big hug because you are so good for my morale. I enjoy a man who doesn't equivocate. I hope that you are 100% correct!"


Well that is somewhat of a different reaction around here. Truth to power! Truth is what you see, not what people tell you truth is.

Quaestor said...

Aesop had a fable for this.

Clyde said...

Ian Faith: The Boston gig's been cancelled...
David St. Hubbins: What?
Ian Faith: Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it, though, it's not a big college town.

Jon Ericson said...

Look, I'll have your leg! Right.

Anne said...

If Hillary is leaving Ohio it's because the Ohio ballots have been printed and are good to go. That's why she's leaving OH and rumored to leave Fla. It's not a white flag she's waving . It's a filled out ballot. The fix is in ....Trump has to overwhelm fix with sheer numbers.