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It’s important, as an observer of the Media Herd, to recognize articles that report specifically on the media narrative versus articles that report substantive information. Typical of a fluffy “in-depth” look at the media narrative is an article published today in the New York Times by Jodi Kantor captioned “Many Florida Jews Express Doubts On Obama.” Let’s break this down:

If you’re a reporter and you need to write a story about Obama and Jewish voters, would it be easier to interview 10-15 different Jewish people ranging in celebrity from “Jews-On-The-Street” to Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) and then write a story about their reaction to the narrative “Why Obama Will Have Trouble Courting Jewish Votes” OR would it be easier to write an in-depth article introducing, explaining and putting into context the various and complex issues important to Jewish voters (or even just one issue) and then, using a variety of source materials, including interviews, piece together Obama’s position or likely position on those issues, how those positions are similar or different from current American policy, interview 10-15 Jewish people about each of those issues and, finally, compare Obama’s position on those issues to those of McCain?

We aren’t suggesting that Jodi Kantor is incapable of producing such a piece, only that time constraints and endless blank spaces that need to be filled squeeze out that type of reporting.

Let’s take a look at what one intrepid reporter turns up when forced to fish for views on the media narrative rather than input about substantive issues:

Because of a dispute over moving the date of the state’s primary, Mr. Obama and the other Democratic candidates did not campaign in Florida. In his absence, novel and exotic rumors about Mr. Obama have flourished. Among many older Jews, and some younger ones, as well, he has become a conduit for Jewish anxiety about Israel, Iran, anti-Semitism and race.

Mr. Obama is Arab, Jack Stern’s friends told him in Aventura. (He’s not.)

He is a part of Chicago’s large Palestinian community, suspects Mindy Chotiner of Delray. (Wrong again.)

Mr. Wright is the godfather of Mr. Obama’s children, asserted Violet Darling in Boca Raton. (No, he’s not.)

Al Qaeda is backing him, said Helena Lefkowicz of Fort Lauderdale (Incorrect.)

Michelle Obama has proven so hostile and argumentative that the campaign is keeping her silent, said Joyce Rozen of Pompano Beach. (Mrs. Obama campaigns frequently, drawing crowds in her own right.)

Mr. Obama might fill his administration with followers of Louis Farrakhan worried Sherry Ziegler. (Extremely unlikely, given his denunciation of Mr. Farrakhan.)

South Florida is “the most concentrated area in the country in terms of misinformation” about Mr. Obama, said Representative Robert Wexler, Democrat of Florida, the co-chairman of the Obama campaign in the state.

Bottom Line: How do these rumors fester?  Why are people so willing to believe the unbelievable when the facts are all too readily available?  Would it help to simply ignore people who honestly believe that Obama is backed by Al Qeada?  That can’t be representative of what people actually believe – so why report what one crackpot says?  If you’re Jewish ask yourself this – did this article contribute one iota to your understanding of what Obama’s positions are on the issues that are important to you?

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