When I suggest "working the ref" I don't mean it in any sort of nefarious way, but instead as that of when a ref calling is only calling fouls on one side while none on the other side, while deliberately or not.

For example, take PBS and how it is viewed by the majority of Americans - if you ask them, they will say it is a liberal network and this is all because of the success of the rights's endless practice of labeling it liberal. They successfully "worked the ref" and turned PBS into a left-wing propaganda arm when it is not.

To illustrate, those who research the media - legitimate ones and not the hacks - have consistently pointed out that PBS actually tilts right, and when programs, guests, and moderators were examined, there were more center-right people involved than the left.

Another example is how the mainstream media dances around using words like liar and lying. They use all other words to describe those things but those words and when has anyone seen any Dem or pundit demand the more influential moderators to call a lie a lie and a liar a liar?

I was watching NBC News tonight and they did a short segment on Trump and his lies about FEMA and the reporter used about every word but lie and liar.

Or, demand to know why the political talk shows keep putting on the same liars over and over again and let them express their lies as truths?

And here is a very simple way the Harris campaign could "work the ref" - have one of her reps remind these networks that when she wins, they are going to be scrambling for her and Walz's appearances and some of this crap will be remembered (Andrea Mitchell's horseshit comments for one).

My point in all of this is as I mentioned earlier - MAGA and coverage of MAGA is not the same as legitimate political discourse and should not be covered in an equal fashion. Yes, we need to know what those assholes are up to, but the coverage does not need to be equal in time, or content or criticism.

Lastly, my theory is that Trump really doesn't want to win - or maybe better, that he doesn't have the same drive to win as he did in 2016 and 2020. For one thing, I think he believes he can make more money by losing - but he could be very wrong about that.

And I agree wholeheartedly that this race should not be close at all (maybe it isn't and to me the two largest culprits of this are Merrick Garland and the media. Garland should have been fired long ago and I wonder if the only reason Biden kept him was because of Biden's character and loyalty.