The polls make the answer obvious.

Good morning term2,
It is a mud wrestling contest. Mud is being slung allover. Come to think of it, a mud wrestling contest would probably be more dignified and entertaining... :)
Respectfully,
O.A.

My take: The media does NOT have the power to sway the 2016 election, though they may die trying. As much as they despised him, they could not dispatch Bush. The media is widely identified as transparently partisan and polls show they are not trusted, and have become more known for driving a narrative than reporting news. Evidence exists that the lockstep establishment-worshipping mainstream media is more likely creating a backlash than proving itself an effective advocacy tool that can sway this election. In the final analysis, they don’t have enough sugar-coating for the turd they are peddling this time around.

DrZ
Excellent point !!!!!!!!!
BT

Your right, if one can discern what is the truth in the propaganda that holds it tenuously together, you might be better informed as what is going on.
Point two...it ain't easy.

The MSM reside not in Ivory Towers, but in Ivory Fortresses.

It is something that I and many other have been railing against for years. No matter that their prejudicial coverage has become blatant to the point of embarrassment the MSM jes keep rollin' along.

A cogent point.
Everyone seems to be aware of the power of social media, but few are discussing it. Somehow, social media discussion is looked down upon, sort of like using the word "ain't."

Do bears prey at the Vatican?

thats because the one with the most dirt on the other wins with the electorate

Which makes it easier to recognize it for what it is.

My oh my, you are a cynic.
But your cynicallity (No such word?) is warranted.

Or bothers to actually discuss the issues.

I look back on the recent elections. They are all farces. The one who has the most dirt on the other wins ; not the one with the best qualifications

ABSOLUTELY!

The VAST majority of the people are NOTHING more than sheep and allow the media to COMPLETELY form their opinions.

Even though a Hillary administration would be anxious to eliminate private control of all media, they flock like lemmings to their own destruction by blindly advocating the liberal cause. I cannot explain the complexity of their motives without writing a book, BUT, contributing factors are: Being taught by liberal teachers for the last several decades starting in primary school and right through college, seeking power and riches, assuaging guilt for being OK while the world isn't, and never, never trying to find the truth of why things are the way they are.

They've pre-determined the candidates, the issues, and the election - not as to what's best for the nation, but what's best for their ratings for the next 4 (or 8) years. Why do you think they axed Johnson, other than he's too serious, presidential, and not a controversial nut.

It's only sad that they stopped trying to hide it - and yet the sheeple consumers continue to buy their BS as if it was a legitimate election. And they'll accept whoever the media announces (unlike Al Smith) as gospel, no matter what the real evidence says.

The sad part is you will NEVER know what the REAL results are. Because it's already decided...

The media can sway the election by what it doesn't cover. For example, freezing Libertarian candidates out of the debates (and some polls). Gary Johnson would be doing much better if the media had allowed him to participate.

In that emotion reflects ones accepted knowledge and view of objective reality, emotion should not be tuned out. It is ones key to whether the media has relayed something that is contrary to ones beliefs. An objective person would then find it necessary to use some logical thinking on whatever data is available to fix anything wrong with the knowledge which resulted in the emotion. If not fixable, then a mental question mark is needed to indicate future evidence and thought are needed. If there is no emotion about what media conveys, then beware of being religious about it as with being a true believer. If one views the media as separate from personal emotion, then one has just accepted what the media states. Repression of emotion will come back to haunt a person later. Emotion will tell you how you evaluate reality with respect to your knowledge and beliefs about that knowledge. Objectivism does not say that one should become an emotionless Spock, but that it is the way one decides whether one may or may not need to act depending on choice on whether to do so. It is also, in many cases, a key to whether one has to inhibit some action.

The media does not transmit emotion, it transmits information, in many case, whether it is true or false. Be vigilant as always when dealing with reality, it can turn and embarrass you or even give a painful bite.

Hello term2,
I fear too many are leading with their hearts (emotions) instead of their minds (logic). I'm not even confident a majority of our fellow citizens can discern the difference. I am generally a very optimistic person, but politics have given me a strong dose of pessimism...
Respectfully,
O.A.

Haha! Just a man in a fancy costume..

Absolutely. Too many (and I know a few) still get their news at 6:30pm from the major networks. Given the slant of those networks, then of course they can influence the election. I sat through my first NBC newscast in years after dinner with friends. There were three hit pieces on Trump in the first 10 minutes, and one puff piece about Hillary. When I pointed this out, the reaction was: "So?" To these same people the NBC anchor, Lester Holt, is admirable, and "Mr. Objective". They saw not a hint of bias in his debate moderation. Of course the MSM influence is shrinking, but not nearly as fast as it should.

Our "Free Press" answers the question.

TV media maybe. Before TV the newspapers were relatively reliant on a broad readership and actually upheld journalistic standards and integrity. Now - and especially the television ones - are more entertainment outlets than news outlets as our society has increasingly become like the ancient Romans - demanding the arena blood sports while their civilization collapses around them in debt and moral decay.

they swayed the last elections...and will indefinitely...