Media Functions

Score keeper:

Voter Unrest Echoes That of 1994, Poll Shows (The Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/31/AR2010103100407.html

This is a Score Keeper article because it talks about recent polling and compares it to a previous election in 1994 and which way voting is beginning to lean. It is counting results and estimating future trends about who will take over the House or Congress. Voters are becoming disappointed with how Washington works as well as the Democratic Congress (as they were in 1994), and so it’s threatening the Democratic congressional majority. Slightly over half of the population isn’t satisfied with how Obama is handling being in office (52%), which is the same amount that was dissatisfied in 1994 with Bill Clinton, according to exit polls. This could mean that the Republican Party could regain control in the future.

Gate keeper:

Axelrod to Leave White House Early in 2011 (The Washington Post)

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/11/axelrod-to-leave-white-house-i.html

This is a Gate Keeper article because it uncovers information that nobody would have heard of otherwise; it is said that Alexrod will leave the White House in the next year, the man who had been standing next to Obama since the beginning of his presidency. Also according to this article, the White House is extending the temporary tax cuts which doesn’t please most liberals, but the Democratic Party is willing to negotiate with the Republicans, even though Democrats wish to extend tax cuts for the middle-class whereas Republicans want to keep tax cuts for those who earn over $250,000 per couple.

Watchdog:

http://live.washingtonpost.com/rangel-convicted-of-ethics-violations-11-16-10.html

This is a Watchdog article due to unearthing a scandal of Rangel, a Capitol Hill figure who violated ethics again since the ’80-’82 trials. He was brought up on charges for not paying taxes and fundraising improperly, and this is a big shock to many. He is found guilty of 11 out of 13 charges against him, but he used to be one of the most powerful barons of Capitol Hill. He skipped out on a trial that he had demanded right away; now they are saying that he won’t ever hold another gavel again, and according to estimates and predictions, he will face very competitive primaries to hold his position.