Two Papers in One
Weekly Example of Media Bias — Posted on February 1, 2012
From a post by OpinionJournal.com’s editor James Taranto (original post date 1/5/12):
Two Papers in One!
- “It is disturbing that President Bush has exhibited a grandiose vision of executive power that leaves little room for public debate, the concerns of the minority party or the supervisory powers of the courts. But it is just plain baffling to watch him take the same regal attitude toward a Congress in which his party holds solid majorities in both houses. Seizing the opportunity presented by the Congressional holiday break, Mr. Bush announced 17 recess appointments–a constitutional gimmick. . . . Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton made scores of recess appointments. But both of them faced a Congress controlled by the opposition party, while the Senate has been under Republican control for Mr. Bush’s entire five years in office.”–editorial, New York Times, Jan. 9, 2006
- “Nearly six months after it opened its doors, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finally has a director, after President Obama’s recess appointment of Richard Cordray. . . . Mr. Obama also appointed three new and qualified members to the National Labor Relations Board. . . . Announcing the appointments, Mr. Obama also asserted a welcome new credo: ‘When Congress refuses to act, and as a result, hurts our economy and puts our people at risk, then I have an obligation as president to do what I can without them.’ Hear. Hear.”–editorial, New York Times, Jan. 5, 2012
(Read the original post at opinionjournal.com – scroll halfway down to “Two Papers in One”)
Questions
1. What is a recess appointment?
2. How did the New York Times view each President's recess appointments?
3. Define double-standard.
4. Do you think the New York Times displayed a double standard in reporting on recess appointments made by President Bush and President Obama? Explain your answer.