Mr. Obama garnered more coverage — and more positive coverage — than former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan during their comparable times in office, according to a study released Monday by the Center for Media and Public Affairs (CMPA).
Much of the Obama coverage was breathlessly positive, even melodramatic. But then something happened.
“The press stopped covering President Obama the historical figure, and started covering President Obama the politician. It took a few months, but many journalists started returning to their old critical ways, and the coverage went negative,” said CMPA Director Robert Lichter, who conducted the research in conjunction with George Mason and Chapman universities.
“Barack Obama had his honeymoon, but now the party’s over. He got all the spectacular stuff when he was just beginning. Still, there’s a silver lining for Mr. Obama — his coverage would be envied by other recent presidents,” Mr. Lichter added.
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