Uber Conservative?

Journalists don't like to consider themselves liberal...they're "moderate."  The problem is that just to the right of "moderate" is "Conservative," and it's obvious that the folks who are just to the journalist's right aren't conservatives.  That's because there is a large group of people who are to the right of the group that journalists like to call conservative. 

So liberal journalists who call themselves moderates have to coin terms for that huge block of elected officials that includes, Senator Kyl, Reps Shadegg, Flake and Franks together with about 40% of the legislature.  Ultra Conservative was in for a while.  But it's hard to define 40% of the legislature as "ultra."  Neo Conservative was hot for a couple years until folks realized that it was offensive code talk for "Conservative Jew."  Besides, after they saw Matrix, they realized that Neo meant "new."

The Republic's Amanda Crawford shows the classic characteristics of a LID (Liberal in Denial) when she feels compelled to label United Families International in the following blog entry.

United Families International --the uber conservative, pro-traditional values group -- reports in its August newsletter that they're gearing up (and soliciting donations) for ballot fights over gay marriage in Arizona and other states next year.

The real question is whether folks are going to push for the domestic partner bit or concentrate just on marriage. (The die-hards aren't just against gays. They're against straight folks living in sin and getting government benefits for it, too.)

Unfortunately, "uber" means "exceptional," not "extreme," so it doesn't really fit. 

The more important point is that Crawford's tone and lines like "die-hards aren't just against gays" makes it clear what she thinks about the issue.  It would difficult for her to lay such obvious bias aside.  Even if she were to try to be fair, her pre-conceived (and pre-printed) strong disdain for the supporters of traditional marriage would make it impossible for readers to trust the fairness of her reporting.   

I assume Ms. Crawford will recuse herself from covering the upcoming campaign.

Comments

[Carol]

I read that comment and immediately thought "editorial" and "inappropriate" for the Plugged In blog. Ms. Crawford seemed to be joining ranks with the commentators rather than upholding any sort of journalistic integrity. Now that it has been brought to her attention, will she do anything to correct her error? Doesn't she have an editor? It was either a sophomoric mistake or a directed attempt to start the "No on Marriage Prop" campaign via the state's largest newspaper.

[Kyle]

I am glad you covered this! I read her article on plugged-in this morning and was surprised that she didn't even try and maintain any semblance of neutrality on the issue.

[The Klute]

From a German speaking family, "uber" doesn't mean "exceptional". The literal translation is "over", but can be Anglicized as "super" if attached to another word.

"Deutschland uber Alles" doesn't mean "Germany Exceptional All (or Everything)" - it means "Germany Over All". "Super" came about as an excepted translation because when added to the root word, there weren't literal translations.

[Senator No]

Heck, I was happy with "Far Right Wing Ultra Conservative"

[ron]

Greg, apparently Ms. Crawford is joining the leading edge of a new term. I found these on a Google search:

"Uber Conservative U.S. Episcopalians: "Classic Anglilcanism" or "Evangelical Light?""

"PJ Maximum - The Uber-Conservative
Because I can..." who also, according to his blog, has an uber-teen

WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2007
THAT COY UBER-CONSERVATIVE
(Referring to Mitt Romney)

I guess its time to get used to seeing a new label for right-wing conservatives.

[ron]

Why should Ms. Crawford recuse herself from this campaign or any other?

No other unabashed liberal or conservative news person recuses themselves?

[smirking observer]

The "Echo Daily" should stop recruiting reporters like Crawford at questionable conventions.

[John]

Thanks Klute, but aren't you looking for "accepted" rather than "excepted"?

[The Klute]

Damn homonyms. Yes.

[vet66]

The democrats are losing the battle for recruits into their left-wing bid for socialism. Seems as how they only way they fight the demographics of fertility among the religious center and right is to recruit minoritites into the cause.

Abortion and ridiculing religion is biting them in the butt. Conservative beliefs equal children with religious values. On the other hand, promoting a gay lifestyle, pro-abortion stances and opening the border to illegals to make up for the lack of pro-creation, is a losing proposition.

You can't make this stuff up! The real question is how long it will take before the liberals realize their policies are doomed?

[Travis]

The irritation level is not just coming through in the reporters and writing. I tried to place an announcement in the Republic and the staff there was rude and insulting.

How long can a paper survive while insulting its readers, its advertisers and the general public?

[Alvin Fernand]

Greg, you're going to kill off these newspapers if you keep reading and dissecting their so-called blogs.

[Alvin Fernand]

By the way, as the German pointed out, one very much accepted definition for "uber" is "super." So in that sense, of course it fits. Don't make Amanda sound like an idiot who doesn't know how to use a word correctly unless you've done your research first. Ever heard the saying about people who live in glass blogs, Greg?

[Travis]

When you don't have a defense against the argument, battle over semantics. Liberals - please try tracking the real issue: IS THERE A BIAS IN THIS ARTICLE?

Uber-specific answers only.

[Marcy]

Yes.

[Special Agent Johnny Utah]

Isn't a blog entry by definition an expression of opinion? I think different standards apply to blogging--even blogging by professional journalists--than to straight news reporting.

[Carol]

The Plugged In blog is not Ms. Crawford's personal creation. I agree that for a private individual, a blog is an expression of opinion. But, there is a difference when the blog is the creation of a newspaper and the blogger is a paid employee of that newspaper. That constitutes a profession, and as such, should mean that certain standards are upheld. Express bias falls short of the standard.

[Rick Fowlkes]

What this country really needs are more Conservative Libertarian Republicans like Ron Paul and Jeff Flake.

[netrootsdemocrat]

Whiny mouthbreathing cultists, get a grip. The only bias in media is from your Faux News, Flush Pimpaughs, and Sean Crappitys.

[Mesa Republican George]

Nice work netroots. You have really improved the discussion around here. Maybe your forgot that good discussion involves discussing issues like an adult instead of calling names like a 5 year-old.

[jdleslie1]

Except "liberals" became a perjorative during the Reagan years, so people throwing that around are doing ad hominem argument, too.

[special agent johnny utah]

"Sean Crappity" is pretty lame. How about "Sean Insanity"? I actually LIKE Hannity, and it only took me about five seconds to come up with that. So, come on, netrootsdem, you gotta push yourself!

[Joe Baby]

Bias doesn't exist outside Fox News and conservative talk radio?

I think that comment shows a certain viewpoint, for lack of a better word.