Steven Thompson, editor
Freedom From The Press

A must read if you care about the poor and middle-class in America.

When most people here the term ‘spin and win’ they think of auto racing and the 1985 Indianapolis 500. The roar of the engines, the smell of exhaust as thousands of cheering fans root for their favorite driver. Between turns one and two at close to 200 miles per hour all of a sudden in the fraction of a second the sound of squealing tires as Danny Sullivan loses control, does a complete 360 without coming into contact with 2nd place driver Mario Andretti and somehow regains control of his car. With flat-spotted tires, Sullivan heads for the pits only to regain the lead 20 laps later and wins the race.

The television announcers cannot believe what they just saw as the red, number 5 Penske powered car pulls into victory lane. The mainstream news media and most political television shows could learn a tremendous lesson if they’d simply stand back and observe how their industry covers auto racing.

The comparisons I’m about to make concern political elections and how the media succeeds at manipulating and controlling the outcome.

Let’s take a look at NASCAR. During the off season a multitude of drivers and teams are formed, trained, and groomed for the ultimate goal of winning the championship. On the business side, sponsors are brought in or, in the case of big name drivers, sponsors are under multi-year contracts. With the money in place, engineers and technical staff are busy putting together a fast and competitive car for testing. By opening day a multitude of teams with an unlimited number of race cars show up at the track to qualify for the big event. If the minimum criteria is met and you’ve paid your entry fees your car is placed in line with an equal chance to participate.

Most NASCAR Cup events will qualify and start the fastest 43 cars. Those who fail to qualify range from small teams with few sponsors to big teams with mega sponsors. Everyone’s treated equal, you either pass inspection and qualify or you roll your car into the trailer and head home.

Comparison # 1 –When the green flag flies every car on the track has the opportunity to compete and win the race. The announcers calling the race might themselves have a favorite driver or race team participating in the event. The bulk of the coverage however will go to the top 10 cars through-out the event. Can the same be said for nightly newscasts during an election with multiple candidates?

Half-way through the race the caution flag flies for debris on the track. By this time a third of the field has either dropped out of the race from attrition, accidents or aren’t able to keep pace and are several laps down to the leaders.

Comparison # 2 –Those still on the lead lap have pitted for fuel, tires, a quick refreshment and are ready to restart the race. The announcers are once again providing an accurate description of the action thus far. The well financed teams are as usual running up front. In the racing business, millions of dollars are raised from major for-profit and non-profit corporations. This revenue goes to pay most of the wages and expenses to field a competitive race car. The required revenue to pay for live television coverage is obtained in the very same fashion as any other broadcast program, by the sale of advertising. Broadcast companies buy exclusive rights to televise the races then sell expensive advertising spots through-out the race to recoup their cost. The airtime provided to televise the actual race is provided by the broadcast company. If airtime is available to cover sporting events shouldn’t it also be made available for candidates running for public office? Those who produce the nightly newscasts want candidates to raise millions of dollars to get elected. Why? Because television networks have realized for many years that elections are nothing but a giant cash cow and most of this revenue ends up in their bank accounts. In addition, a by-product of this unethical scheme prohibits the majority of those wanting to hold public office from running because they simply cannot afford it. The U.S. And State Constitutions do not say that those seeking public office must either be wealthy or subjected to the wishes of those who are.

The green flag drops and we’re back to racing. One car of special notice received the lucky dog and is back on the lead lap. I mention this car because it’s running really strong and as each lap passes it’s catching up with the leaders.

Comparison # 3 –From time-to-time lady luck will shine on a competitor who’s usually able to make the show but rarely able to stay with the lead pack. In the business of auto racing, those with massive budgets and open access to big corporations with cutting edge engineers and scientists are very difficult to beat. I equate the heavily funded and supported individuals seeking public office as those who won the nomination of either the RNC or DNC. All to often, these individuals are either incumbents of the very office they’re seeking or have been groomed within the system and are being elevated to a higher office. The underdog could himself be affiliated with the RNC or DNC or could be an Independent. If affiliated with either the RNC or DNC, this underdog candidate will be eliminated from competition in the primary. If the underdog is Independent and receives a sufficient number of votes in the primary to advance, the battle will be very uphill due to the fact that these individuals are denied access to debate the front-running candidates. The nightly news will cover expensive fund-raising dinners, stump speeches, debates, town halls and press releases promoting the front-running candidates. Sunday morning news shows will highlight the most current polling data showcasing the well-heeled candidates who have by now become heavily elevated in stature by the daily barrage of paid media access.

Nearing the end of the race we have a two-car battle for the lead. The underdog ran a strong race but couldn’t overcome the excessive challenges of not being on a well connected team. Unlike auto racing, those who make the rules are far from open and inclusive. Yes, these folks who coined the word ‘protectionist’ when applied to those who oppose unbalanced trade deals will themselves become very protective of money, power and influence. Since the mainstream news media is amassing enormous wealth what incentive could ever emerge that would convince the MSM to reform the electoral finance system?

The term Spin and Win takes on a whole new meaning when applied to the sacred process of free, fair and open democratic elections in America. How do I react when the master of all bloviators says, “the spin stops here!” Sorry Bill, with all due respect I must state, When it comes to broadcast television news, “The spin starts here.” And, “You’re looking out for me?” I’m not buying it Bill. If you were looking out for me, you’d be, on a daily basis advocating for free airtime for all candidates seeking public office.

Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC provide massive amounts of airtime for sporting events on a year-round basis. The same standards should apply for elections. In addition, non-partisan sponsored televised debates should be mandated prior to all primary and general elections. If the persons name is legally placed on the ballot, he or she shouldn’t be excluded from debating all of he or she’s challengers.

Anything less should be unacceptable to the American public at large. As a NASCAR fan, how would you feel if the winner of any given race was predetermined to be one of two eligible drivers before the race even started? That said, how would you feel if the camera’s only followed the progress of the very same two cars through-out the entire race?

Let the discussion begin and as always, please be civil and respectful to all participants.