Welcome to 2012 Reelection Palooza

obama Cheerleaders—Um um um
Media bias is hugely entertaining, so long as you're able to decipher what's news and what's opinion in any given report. This is particularly true of the "Mainstream media" (MSM). In particular, NBC is at the top of the deception game.

In this morning's political review on the TODAY Show, Ann Curry—former news-reader made co-anchor of the program—bantered with Carl Quintanilla about the strengthening economy and jobs recovery. In a classic "heads, I win; tails, you lose" fashion, Curry beat the drum of an 8.5% unemployment number showing obama-nomics (intentionally lower case "o") as the answer to the nation's woes.

While there was a brief mention that the lower number may be the result of holiday seasonal hiring and/or millions of people having dropped out of the job market, both commentators made clear that the economic news is ultimately good. Furthermore, it was suggested that should unemployment numbers worsen in days to come, it's merely another sign that obama is fixing the economy. For, you see, when those that have simply given up on finding a job realize that the economy is indeed fixed, they'll be back on the job hunt, artificially swelling the unemployment percentage.

And get ready...this is only the tip of the re-election iceberg. In the wings is a housing bailout that will dwarf any welfare program in the history of mankind. The obama administration is gearing up to forgive mortgage debt. Big time.

Buying 2012
The plan will allow for every homeowner with a Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) mortgage to refinance his or her mortgage with a new mortgage at a current fixed of 4.20 percent or less. To qualify, the homeowner must be current on his or her mortgage or become so for at least three months. Other than being current, there are no other qualifications or applications—no appraisal, no income verification, no tax returns. Period.

Remember before the 2008 election, the uneducated expected to line up to receive their "obama money" once he was inaugurated? Those same ones that walked into clinics demanding healthcare the day he signed obamacare into law? Well, now you get to pay for the homes of those who purchased outside their means and have managed to stay afloat…for three consecutive months, anyway. Who wouldn't vote for the promise of a free mortgage reduction? The good news is that once again, the Nanny State steps up to prevent the masses from having to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

The MSM has yet to report on the "mortgage forgiveness," but when they do, it surely will be made to sound as innocuous as a school lunch program change. In the meantime, TODAY and Nightly News will continue to interweave stories of global warming and Christian nut-jobs and the Royal Family (can anyone tell me why they're even in the headlines daily?) into the "news" they report.

It's hard to fathom that there are those out there who believe what they're told by the likes of Lauer, Currey, Guthrie, Mitchell, Williams, Holt, etc., and take their word as fact-based truth. However, if you rely upon multiple sources for information, the bias becomes easier and easier to pick out…to the point that it becomes comical, at least for me.

Changeless and Hopeless
Back to the 2012 election—another favorite tactic of the MSM is to portray the Republican field as weak and divided. Not true. First, though the field has narrowed, we have some excellent choices, from moderately conservative Romney, to far-right Rick Perry. It's unfortunate Michele Bachmann decided to drop out, and I respect her for not allowing the MSM to catch her in a single "Palin moment." Despite the best efforts of the MSM to belittle her, when they couldn't, they resorted to the lowest of tactics…an unflattering image with the caption "Queen of Rage" on a Newsweek cover. Obviously, despite their best efforts, it just didn't stick.

For all of the hoopla from the MSM about a rift between GOP and TEA Partiers, they seem to forget the chasm between obama and Hillary a few years ago. The next few weeks will be interesting as events play out. I will say that I am slightly disappointed in Newt for whining about attack ads…despite the violation of Reagan's 11th Commandment, they're par for the course. And though I like Newt and could easily back him for president, if his baggage is going to be his undoing, then better to have it happen now, than in the general election.

Lovin' the Spin You're In
In wrapping up this first commentary, I'll close by saying I'll be fascinated to see how the MSM spins the premature troop evacuation and subsequent increase in violence in Iraq, the gutting of the US military budget (well, we already know part of the spin here…we're a lean, mean fighting' machine), and especially the increasing threats of both North Korea and Iran.

Last week, Iran issued a direct threat to the US, stating that they would take action if the U.S. Navy moves an aircraft carrier into the Persian Gulf. Thus far, the official reaction from D.C. has been to dismiss the threat. Well, maybe, if like the terrorists and War On Terror (a.k.a. Overseas Contingency Operation) we just ignore it, it'll go away.