In 2004 between the convention and the first debate, there were 42 national election polls, and George Bush led by an average of 6.1%, breaking the 50% barrier in 18 out of 41.
In a sample of 100 news stories by the national media, 68% of the time the race was referred to as "a toss up" or similar description.
In 2012, in the 86 national polls between the convention and the first debate, Obama lead by an average of 3.2%, and in a sample of 100 national news stories, 79 referred to Obama as leading.
It is easy to check this for yourself, go back to the 2004 poll archive on RealClearPolitics (or any other site) and verify for yourself.
The media reports what they want to see.... go ahead... check this out for yourself.... I dare you....
Umm, these graphs do look different. Before Kerry got swift boated at the end of August, it was clearly a tossup race. And if the media was in the tank for Kerry, they wouldn't have played a part in his swift boating.
