The Dangers of Echo Chambers

For the record, I hate Morning Joe and detest Anderson Cooper 360. The same goes for virtually every other program and talking head on CNN and MSNBC. However, from time to time, I will tune into both networks for several reasons… and I encourage you to do the same.

First and foremost, living in an echo chamber where everyone agrees with each other and spouts the same information can be dangerous. You wind up thinking that we’re all on the same page when survey after survey and election after election prove otherwise.

Polls show that our nation is divided right down the middle, with about one-third of Americans identifying as conservative, one-third identifying as liberal, and one-third calling themselves moderate. More specifically, a Gallup poll conducted in January 2024 showed 27% of registered voters were Democrats, 27% were Republicans, and 43% were Independents (I assume the other 3% were members of a third-party).

Believing that we all think alike and will vote accordingly can lead to overconfidence and scores of lost elections.

A second reason for occasionally watching the liberal news networks is so that we can learn what they are thinking and what their strategy is. I coached a men’s softball team that ministered in prisons for more than 30 years and every time we entered a new institution and warmed up for a game, I was looking for an edge. That meant that during batting practice, I would watch to see what their hitters’ tendencies were – did they pull the ball with power or take an outside pitch to the opposite field? Likewise, were they fast runners and good fielders… and how strong were their throwing arms? By the time the game started, I knew how best to position myself on defense at second base and on which outfielders I could take an extra base on offense.

Knowing my opponents better than they knew themselves is how a marginally-talented athlete like me was able to play and excel at a relatively high level for so many years… and part of the reason why our team won far more games than we lost.

The same goes for elections. Opposition research is helpful in winning campaigns, but so is watching the other side intently and learning everything you can about their tendencies, strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. Elections often come down to a handful of votes and a few small percentage points, just like ballgames usually are determined by a close call, a clutch hit, or an outstanding defensive play. Getting that psychological edge can make all the difference, whether it’s on the ball field or at the ballot box.

With such an important election in November – and the White House, the Senate, and the House all up for grabs – Republicans need every edge we can get… even if it means watching Jim Acosta, Dana Bash, John Berman, Wolf Blitzer, Brianna Keilar, and Jake Tapper until you puke.

Saving our republic trumps a sick stomach every time.