A review of news reveals who the news currently favors: Obama v. McCain

A week ago, I said I would keep track of news headlines from the major news organizations and see if there is any sort of pattern which could prove my hypothesis whether the media is in fact biased, and if so, for whom? My answer, at least as it is based on my notes of the headlines (pasted below), is that most of the major news organizations are prone to write with pro-Democrat headlines and, in part because the momentum is on Obama's side right now, are either pro-Obama or against-Hillary. Since McCain is going to get the Republican nomination, most of the Republican news has gathered around whatever he has done lately.

The WSJ is probably the least biased, but its headlines were generally pro-Hillary when it reported. The Times had neutral headlines, sometimes. The BBC, as one would expect, only wrote about Obama this week since he was the major news at the beginning of the week. If you're looking for a relatively unbiased news ticker of general news, Yahoo's front page is probably the best source. How Microsoft/NewsCorp will affect this remains to be seen.

What I found most interesting is how the media shifted against Clinton over the course of the week. Here's how I broke it down by organization.

Drudge Report: Only one top headline all week was news about the Republican party, and that was when Romney endorsed McCain. The rest of the news was either pro-Hillary, although it shifted toward Obama slightly, if also into what I began calling "general Democratic" by the end of the week. General Democratic is an attempt at being unbiased, but it's really just a cop-out because Hillary can't be the news all the time.

CNN: Generally pro-Obama; surprisingly, by the end of the week, most of the headlines (to me) seemed to be against Clinton.

Yahoo: It was fairly split between the candidates, although certainly more heavily democratic. It shifted to a Clinton/anti-Obama tone by the end of the week, however.

Fox News: Most of the headlines were phrased so they could certainly be perceived as "against Clinton." By the end of the week, that tone had shifted "against Obama." The few that were pro anybody were for McCain.

NY Times: Most of the headlines were either "general Democratic" or in favor of Clinton, although I think the scale tips slightly toward Obama.

LA Times: Generally Democratic headlines, pro-Clinton at the beginning of the week and pro-Obama by the end of the week.

Wall Street Journal: Generally Democratic-focused headlines, more pro-Clinton than pro-Obama.

BBC News: Good for general world news and big issues; centered around Obama's primary sweeps last weekend, but otherwise fairly quiet.

My conclusions after forcing myself to go through this exercise? (Besides the fact that it turns out I don't read the news as often as I thought, or at least not at a pre-ordained time as I had attempted to do this week):

If you're looking for a quick update on the news and the market, Yahoo is the best source. If you're looking for 24/7 news, Drudge and CNN keep things fairly up-to-date, but they are pretty Democrat-focused; likewise is the same for FoxNews, which is pretty Republican-focused. The Times and the Journal are both Democrat-focused, but at least their headlines are general enough that you have to read a bit into them to figure out who the piece favors. Is that a better way of doing it? I don't know. Whatever sells newspapers and advertising is probably the correct answer.

Bottom line: Over the last week, the media has recast Clinton as the underdog in what seems to be an almost systematic methodology. Will the tide continue to sweep against her? It strikes me that the Republicans seem to want to go against Clinton more than Obama. It also seems that if you are running for office and want coverage of something, you need to either do something to/with your staff in order to get non-primary day coverage. Is this smart strategy or not? Only time will tell.

The recap of the headlines is below. The information is the spot where the headline placed on the site (1=1st, 2=2nd, 3rd, etc.) and my perception of who the article was for (D/R O/C/M or against O/C/M, as it was, or G(eneral)-D/R).

Headlines:
Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 (Night):
Drudge Report: "Wake Up Call" (Linking to Clinton Replaces Campaign Manager) (1; D-C)
CNN: Obama Wins Maine Caucuses, CNN Projects (2nd; D-O)
Yahoo: Obama wins Democratic caucuses in Maine (1st; D-O)
Fox News: Maine Warms to Obama (1; D-O)

2/11/08 (morning):
Yahoo: Obama grabs majority of delegates with Maine victory (1; D-O)
NY Times: Maine to Obama; Clinton Replaces Campaign Leader (2; D-O/C)
LA Times: Clinton replaces campaign chief (2; D-C)
WSJ: Clinton Replaces Campaign Manager (2; D-C)
Drudge: Wake Up Call (same article) (1; D-C)
CNN: Obama rolls into Potomac primaries after sweep (1; D-O)
Fox news: Triumph and Turmoil: Obama wins all 5 weekend Democratic contests; Clinton replaces manager amid losses (2; D-O/C)
BBC: Obama takes clear Maine victory (3; D-O)

(Lunch)
Yahoo: Poll: Obama would narrowly defeat McCain (3; D-O)
WSJ: Clinton replaces campaign manager (4; D-C)
NY Times: For McCain, losses signal challenges (3; R-M)
LA Times: (no political headlines)
Drudge: (same Wake Up Call article) (1; D-C)
CNN: Navarette: Right wing can’t contain McCain (4; R-M); Clinton holds narrow delegate lead (5; D-C); Ticker: Angry Hucakabee: Is this Soviet Union? (6; R-H)
Fox News: Conservatives Unite to 'Stop Hillary' (3; R-against C)
BBC: (no political headlines)

Dinnertime:
Yahoo: (none)
Drudge: Hillary Insists Campaign is Strong (1; D-C)
CNN: Without superdelegates, Clinton trails Obama (4; D-G/C)
NYT: Campaign Focus Shifts to Chesapeake Bay Region (4; G)
WSJ: Clinton Replaces Campaign Manager (5; D-C)
LA Times: Numbers tight for Clinton, Obama (3; D-C/O)
Fox News: Conservatives Unite to 'Stop Hillary' (3; D-against C)
BBC: (none)

Night
Yahoo: Obama rides momentum before 'Potomac Primaries' (1; D-O)
Drudge NYT TUESDAY: CLINTON INSIDERS, DONORS FEAR ELECTION 'SLIPPING AWAY' (1; D-C)
CNN: Without superdelegates, Clinton trails Obama (1; D-O);
NYT: For Clinton, Ohio and Texas Emerge as Key States to Win (1; D-C)
WSJ: (none)
LA Times: Obama favored in Potomac races (4; D-O)
Fox News: Conservatives Unite to 'Stop Hillary' (3; R-against C)
BBC: (Americas page): Clinton seeks to slow Obama push (3; D-C/O)

2/12/08 (morning):
Yahoo: Obama hopes to rout Clinton in Potomac primaries (4; D-O)
WSJ: Obama's Wave Fails to Sink Foe (8; D-C)
NY Times: For Clinton, Bid Hinges on Texas and Ohio (2; D-C); Seeking Unity, Obama Feels Pull of Racial Divide (3; D-O)
LA Times: Obama favored in Potomac primaries (7; D-O)
Drudge: (Same NYT Tuesday article): Clinton Insiders Donors Feel Election 'slipping away' (1; D-C)
CNN: What's at stake in the Potomac primaries? (photo of McCain) (R-M)
Fox News: Sink or Swim: Clinton facing crucial test in Potomac races (R-against C)
BBC: Primary test for Obama momentum (3; D-O)

(Lunch)
Yahoo: Powerful superdelegates could decide Democratic nominee (1; D-G)
WSJ: Obama's Wave Fails to Sink Foe (4; D-C)
NY Times: Candidates in Sprint Around Chesapeake (4; G)
LA Times: (none)
Drudge: Scream and tears of delight (linking to an artcle Women 'falling for Obama') (1; D-O)
CNN: Candidates eye Potomac prizes (1; D-G/O)
Fox News: Hill Camp in Frantic Fight To Hold Back Obama Wave (1; R-against C)
BBC: Primary test for Obama momentum (3; D-O)

(Night)
Yahoo: Facing losses, Clinton campaign recasts expectations (1; D-C)
WSJ: Obama, McCain Hope for Sweeps (1; G-O/M)
NYT: Clinton and Obama Face Off in 3 More Races (3; D-G)
LAT: Voters in 3 contests cast ballots (Obama is favored in today's primaries. Clinton looks ahead to bigger prizes, including Texas and Ohio.) (2; D-C/O)
Drudge: VA –xx, MD-XX, DC –XX, EXIT POLLS SHOW 2:1 OBAMA LEAD OVER HILLARY IN VA AND MD, 3:1 IN DC... DEVELOPING... (1; D-G)
CNN: 'Momentum' key word as Potomac votes cast (1; D-O)
Fox News: Does Hillary Have a Prayer? (1; R-against C)
BBC: Primary test for Obama momentum (1; D-O)

2/13/08 (morning):
Yahoo: Next 'super' Tuesday awaits (1; D-G)
NYT: Obama and McCain Sweep 3 Primaries (1; D-G-O/M); NEWS ANALYSIS Obama Makes His Case as His Momentum Surges (2; D-O)
LAT: Debate intensifies over role of super delegates (1)
Drudge: The Frontrunner (In the Chesapeake Rout, according to exit polls in Maryland, Obama won: Latino Voters By Six Points: 53-47; All Religions (Including Catholics); All Age Groups (Including Seniors); All Regions; All Education Levels;
And Women by TWENTY ONE POINTS...)(1; D-O)
CNN: Sweeps give McCain, Obama momentum (1; D-O/M)
Fox News: McCain, Obama Sweep to Victory in Virginia, Maryland, DC: It’s a Win-Win (1; M/O)
BBC: Obama wins three primaries (2; D-O)

(lunch)
Yahoo: Obama blames economy woes on rivals, Washington (2; D-O); McCain sweeps as Huckabee chips away at conservative vote(3; R-M/H)
WSJ: Obama and McCain sweep (2; G-O/M)
NY Times: Obama and McCain Sweep 3 Primaries (7; G-O/M)
LA Times: Debate intensifies over role of super delegates (1; D-C)
Drudge: SHE CAN'T CATCH US (1; D-O); Clinton Ex-Campaign Manager Backs Obama... (2; D-O) & McCain 'Fired Up'... (3; against M)
CNN: Clinton looks to Texas, Ohio to stop Obama (2; D-C/against C)
Fox News: (no headlines)
BBC: (no headlines); Americas page – Obama wins primary clean sweep

2/14/08 (morning):
Yahoo: (none)
WSJ: Obama Unveils Economic Proposal (10; D-O)
NYT: Obama's Lead in Delegates Shifts Focus of Campaign (1; D-O); Michelle Obama Takes to the Trail (2; D-O)
LAT: Big rewards from small donors (Obama) (2; D-O)
Drudge: She Can’t Catch Us (1; D-O)
CNN: Democratic loser could still get nominated (2; D-C)
Fox News: Hillary Clinton — Underdog? (2; R-against C)
BBC: (none)

(night)
Yahoo: Romney endorses McCain for nomination (2; R-M); Clinton wins N.M. vote nine days after Super Tuesday (3; D-C)
WSJ: Romney backs McCain (5; R-M)
NYT: Romney Endorses McCain (3; R-M)
LAT: Romney Gets Behind McCain (2; R-M)
Drudge: Romney Endorses McCain (2; R-M) / McCain could resign senate seat (3; R-M)
CNN: Romney endorses former rival McCain (2; R-M) In must-win situation, Clinton sharpens attacks (3; D-C)
Fox News: Romney Endorses McCain (2; R-M)
BBC: none / Americas: Romney endorses McCain campaign (2; R-M)

2/15/08 (morning):
Yahoo: Clinton declared winner in New Mexico primary (3; D-C)
WSJ: Clinton Bets Big on Ohio and Texas (6; D-C)
NYT: Black Leader, a Clinton Ally, Tilts to Obama (2; D-O)
LAT: The man behind the message (obama) (3; D-O)
Drudge: Superdelegates get campaign cash... (1; D-G); White men hold power balance... (1; D-G)
CNN: In must-win situation, Clinton sharpens attacks (2; D-C); McCain defends '100 years in Iraq' statement(3; R-M); Ticker: Huckabee says no McCain 'coronation' (4; R-M)
Fox News: McCain Calls on Obama to Divulge ‘Pork’ Projects (8; R-against O)
BBC: (none)

Lunch
Yahoo: Former President Bush to endorse McCain (3; R-M)
WSJ: Clinton Bets Big on Ohio and Texas (7; D-C)
NY Times: Black Leader, a Clinton Ally, Tilts to Obama (2; D-O)
LA Times: The man behind the message (obama) (3; D-O)
Drudge: PUTIN RIPS HILLARY: 'At a minimum, a head of state should have a head'... (1; D-C)
POLL: OBAMA TAKES LEAD IN TEXAS... (1; D-O)
Cnn: In must-win situation, Clinton sharpens attacks (2; D-C)
Fox News: Former President Bush to Endorse McCain (5; R-M)
BBC: (none)

Sat 2/16/08 Morning
Yahoo: Obama should take public funding, McCain says (3)
WSJ: (none)
NYT: Democrats Look to Avoid Convention Rift (1st)
LAT: Obama gets jabbed from 2 sides (2nd)
Drudge: DEMS LOOK FOR WAY TO AVOID CONVENTION DEADLOCK (top)
CNN: Ticker: Bill Clinton: Obama ignores my legacy (8)
Fox News: McCain takes on Obama (1st)
BBC: (none)

(afternoon)
Yahoo: Chelsea Clinton now a full-fledged player in campaign (3; D-C)
WSJ: (none)
NYT: Democrats Look for Way to Avoid Convention Rift (3; G-D)
LAT: Obama gets jabbed from 2 sides (2; D-O)
Drudge: DEMS LOOK FOR WAY TO AVOID CONVENTION DEADLOCK (1; G-D)
CNN: Clinton could have edge in swing states (9; D-C)
Fox News: 11th-Hour Bid (Clinton) (1; D-against C)
BBC: none

Tags: biased media coverage