Wiston Papers

"Senate GOP blocks Buffett Rule bill"

This headline in the mainstream media is misleading at best...and an example of biased reporting at worst.

First, this story should have included the actual final vote.  It was 51-45, but you have to go elsewhere to learn this.  It's not in this CNN story.

Second, the Democrats control the U.S. Senate so the Republicans are not to blame for the defeat.  The Democrats  needed 60 votes  to stop debate; they didn't get them.   That's the rule of the chamber.  It applies equally to all members of both parties.  But, again, you don't get that in this CNN story.

Third, the headline would have been equally misleading had it read "Democrats fail to pass Buffet Rule bill."  Again, why is it more the fault of the GOP for all but one of its members to vote against the measure than it is for all but one of the Democrats to vote for it? 

It was a straight party-line vote both sides of the aisle except as stated here "Sen. Mark Pryor was the only Democrat to cross party lines to vote against taking up the bill, while Sen. Susan Collins was the only Republican to vote with the Democrats." (Then add that “The four senators who did not vote are two Democrats Daniel Akaka of Hawaii and Independent/Democrat Joe Lieberman of Connecticut; and two Republicans Warren Hatch of Utah and Mark Kirk of Illinois.”

One reason the media are accused of a liberal bias is because of headline above.  It states that the Republicans are responsible, when in fact it’s the fault of the rules of the Senate.  A more balanced accurate headlines would read "Senate fails to pass Buffett Rule bill."  This ascribes no blame to either party.

Then simply tell the truth without bias.  “The U.S. Senate needed 60 votes to pass the Buffett rule bill, but fell nine votes short on a virtual party-line vote of 51-45.”  

Steve Coon

April 16, 2012