The Power of Expectation

From Tom Rosenstiel at the Project for Excellence in Journalism:

Hillary Clinton enjoyed the most success in the race for media exposure amid her New Hampshire victory last week—far more so than GOP winner John McCain. Fully 37% of all campaign stories studied were either significantly or mainly about the New York Democrat, according to an analysis of campaign coverage by the Project for Excellence in Journalism from January 6 through 11.

That number may illustrate the power of expectations in shaping media decisions. McCain, whose his victory was no less vital saving his campaign but was less of a surprise, was a significant or dominant topic in 24% of stories studied. And John Edwards, who came in third, continues to struggle for media attention, while GOP third-place finisher Mike Huckabee does not.