Josh Marshall has an interesting take on the GOP frontrunners, wondering how Fox News, WSJ and Murdoch’s other news outlets will cover the race between Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. I think it’s safe to say that Romney is out, leaving only the twin engine evangelical thrust of Bachmann and Perry. Virtually identical in ideological stance, these fundamentalist fire breathers are going to be a tough choice for the Murdoch empire as to who to push for the presidency.
Both Bachmann and Perry are prime pickings for Murdoch. It’s going to be a tough choice. Whoever is picked will have the benefit of the patented 24/7 Murdoch spin. Any campaigning done by the winner will be secondary. With the full force of Murdoch – especially Fox News – behind the winner, the propaganda will be powerful and deceptive. It will take a full time effort by the rest of the media to counter the untruths and wild claims that will be made not so much from Perry or Bachmann but from the Murdoch media. If the past is any indication, they will not be up to the task.
Right now it’s too close to call who will be anointed by Murdoch. It doesn’t make much difference. Both of them are ruthless and beholding to higher powers. The question is, will we witness a bloody battle between the two frontrunners worthy of Cecil B. Demille? That would be entertaining. The fight will certainly yield a bounty of garbage and a plethora of ammo for the Democrats to use in the final days of electioneering. Too bad the Dems will not know how to use that ammo, saying they are above such tactics. Murdoch is counting on this, letting Perry and Bachmann slug it out for entertainment (and ratings) sake.
