Contrast in news coverage is never more obvious than at election time.
For example, after this week's elections, we noticed that the Right news sources typically led with Obamacare in their analysis, the Left talked about a rejection of the Tea Party and austerity, and we even saw a Center headline declare Center the winner.
Snippet from the Right
Virginia election shows Obamacare can be used as political weapon, Washington Times
Democrats spent heavily to win the Virginia governorship Tuesday, but Republicans said by making the race far closer than polls had projected just a few weeks ago, Kenneth T. Cuccinelli’s campaign showed how much of a weapon Obamacare can be in the hands of the GOP. “If we had had five more days, or 5 million more dollars, we would have won,” said Michael McKenna, a Republican strategist in Virginia, who also said Tuesday’s results will be studied by candidates heading into the next two federal elections. “Obamacare is toxic. Democratic senators up in either 2014 or 2016 are probably terrified at what happened in Virginia.”
Snippet from the Left
With Wins for de Blasio, Minimum Wage and Tea Party Losses, Voters Signal Rejection of Austerity, Democracy Now
Backers of a measure to impose a $15-an-hour minimum wage at Seattle’s international airport and surrounding hotels have also declared victory. After campaigning on a vow to tackle inequality, Bill de Blasio won an overwhelming victory to become the first Democrat mayor of New York City in two decades. In another closely watched race, the union-backed Martin Walsh was elected mayor of Boston. "When I look across this country, I’m seeing results that say people are really ready to look at an alternative to austerity," says John Nichols, political writer for The Nation. "They want something different than just 'cut, cut, cut.'"
Snippet from the Center
Election Night 2013: The Center Speaks, Daily Beast
Yesterday’s results in Virginia and New Jersey are a warning to politicians who embrace Obamacare. They’re also a warning to politicians who embrace the Tea Party....The scrum over the nation’s future did not end yesterday. The results remained too equivalent. Rejection of Obamacare was not enough to carry the day for Cuccinelli. The Tea Party lost, but it was not vanquished. In New York City, Bill de Blasio—an ex-Sandalista—romped to election as Mayor, while across the Hudson River, a moderate conservative had a landslide win of his own. There was something for everyone.
So what did the US learn from this week's election results? The answer depends on where you get your news.