Swiftboating 2.0
The thematic structure of the right-wing smear campaign against Barack Obama
Graphic last updated October 13, 2008
The most striking feature of the 2008 election may have been the sheer volume and variation of the attacks directed at Sen. Barack Obama. Though they came from many sources, arrived through a variety of media, and covered a wide range of subjects, a close examination reveals that they operated together as one coherent, thematically unified campaign, a Swiftboating 2.0, all reinforcing a common theme: "He is not one of us."
We call it Swiftboating 2.0 not only because it is the latest model of a political smear campaign, but also because it shares features of Web 2.0 sites like Facebook and MySpace: significant portions of the content are generated by ordinary people and spread from peer to peer. Swiftboating 2.0 combined these new information pathways with traditional media -- books from conservative publishers, right-wing radio, and conservative pundits and strategists on television -- to spread the smears as widely as possible and force them into the mainstream media.
Special Projects
Swiftboating 2.0
As the means of communication have evolved, presidential campaigns have grown increasingly multifaceted, with each election featuring layers of complexity that were not present four years before. The most striking feature of the 2008 election may be the sheer volume and variation of the attacks being directed at Sen. Barack Obama. Click Here.
Free Ride: John McCain and the Media
We live in a "gotcha" media culture that revels in exposing the foibles and hypocrisies of our politicians. But one politician manages to escape this treatment, getting the benefit of the doubt and a positive spin for nearly everything he does: John McCain. Click Here.
Myths and Falsehoods in Media Coverage of Gov. Sarah Palin
In reporting on Palin, the media have often repeated or failed to challenge several myths, falsehoods, and claims about her record that are called into question or contradicted by the facts. Indeed, in a relatively short period of time, media coverage of Palin has been plagued by myths and falsehoods that do not accurately or adequately reflect her opinions, positions, and record.
Click Here.
Reports & Research
Change the Debate
The primary debates were a disaster. With a few exceptions, the media figures who moderated the debates focused on endless rehashes of campaign gaffes, pointless dissections of political tactics, and issues of personality. As a result, critical issues were pushed aside. Click Here.
Fear & Loathing in Prime Time: Immigration Myths and Cable News
There are many problems facing the United States today: a faltering economy, a health-care crisis, and the continuing war in Iraq, to name a few. But viewers of some of the most prominent cable news programs are presented a different reality in which one issue stands above all others: illegal immigration.Click Here.
Columns
Heads They Win, Tails You Lose: For the Beltway Media, Even Democratic Victories Prove the Country is Conservative
Paul Waldman | October 21, 2008
The Permanent (Smear) Campaign
Paul Waldman | October 14, 2008
Will the November Surprise Be Disenfranchised Voters?
Paul Waldman | October 7, 2008
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