Iraq: If You Lose Cronkite, You Lose Middle-America?

[Fear_Itself]

In February 1968, following the Tet offensive, Walter Cronkite, the man much of the country viewed as the most trusted man in America, pronouced the war in Vietnam “unwinnable”. Upon hearing this disturbing assessment, LBJ reportedly told an aide, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America.”

Walter Cronkite today observed that Americans aren’t any safer because of the U.S.-led war on Iraq:

“The problem, quite clearly, is we have excited the Arab world, the Muslim world, to take up arms against us,” Cronkite said Saturday, adding that this excitement far exceeds the anger that existed among terrorist groups prior to the war.

Does Cronkite still command the respect he did 36 years ago? Does he reflect the view of middle America? Or is he a relic of the past whose integrity that has been tarnished by the journalistic excesses of his peers?

[Neurotik]

No. I suspect most people don’t give two rat hairs what Cronkite thinks anymore.

Out of sight, out of mind.

[ElvisL1ves]

There are so many more news sources now that probably nobody could command the media the way Cronkite did, even if they still were mostly independent-minded.

Now, if Bush had lost Fox News, he’d be toast, even if the Wall Street Journal stood by him.

[aahala]

Cronkite’s views would still carry some weight(but less than before) among the older half of the public.

A lot of the younger half seeing him would mistakenly think he was someelse they very vaguely remember - Captain Kangaroo.

[DanBlather]

He used to be “the most trusted man in America”, now he’s “the most rusted man in America”.

[DanBlather]

@ElvisL1ves

Now, if Bush had lost Fox News, he’d be toast, even if the Wall Street Journal stood by him.

Great point. What do you think Bush would need to do to lose Fox? It’s not like things can get much worse.

[rjung]

@DanBlather

What do you think Bush would need to do to lose Fox?

Do a 180-reversal on media consolidation.

Other than that, Bush could be caught in the Lincoln Bedroom having carnal relations with a dead horse and Fox would still be in his corner.

[Quartz]

Not being American, I’m not familiar with Cronkite, but he’s talking out of his backside. Yes, we’ve excited part of the Arab world, but we’re engaging them in Iraq. The results remain to be seen.

[Revtim]

Now that they have their “liberal media” ad hominem, any criticism from any journalist is neatly deflected.

[rfgdxm]

@Fear Itself

In February 1968, following the Tet offensive, Walter Cronkite, the man much of the country viewed as the most trusted man in America, pronouced the war in Vietnam “unwinnable”. Upon hearing this disturbing assessment, LBJ reportedly told an aide, “If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America.”

Walter Cronkite today observed that Americans aren’t any safer because of the U.S.-led war on Iraq:Does Cronkite still command the respect he did 36 years ago? Does he reflect the view of middle America? Or is he a relic of the past whose integrity that has been tarnished by the journalistic excesses of his peers?

I watched Cronkite when I was a kid. Cronkite may be obsolete. However, history proved him right back then, and he’s right again today.

[Fear_Itself]

@Quartz

Not being American, I’m not familiar with Cronkite, but he’s talking out of his backside. Yes, we’ve excited part of the Arab world, but we’re engaging them in Iraq. The results remain to be seen.

I’m curious; which part of the Arab world remains unexcited about Bush’s occupation of Iraq?