On Folksiness and Media-Friendliness

Sun, 03/28/2010 - 18:32

Yvette Kantrow complains that Buffett gets a pass from media in this column in The Deal magazine. She makes the point that:

"[T]he media can take what's typically seen as a virtue -- Fuld's devotion to his wife -- and turn it into a negative, even as Buffett is not only given a pass on his marital eccentricities, but is deified for his "folksy" values. Maybe stock prices are our true moral barometer: Lehman, of course, has evaporated while Berkshire Hathaway flies on."

Fair disclosure, Kantrow mentions the Snowball in this piece (in passing). What's really interesting is that this column is part of a trend that has emerged since the financial crisis that is beginning to turn her thesis inside out. Kantrow herself is one of a growing number of media people who are beginning to write objectively about Buffett. Instead of the longtime polarization of worshippers on one end and a few envious naysayers on the other, some people in the media are trying to make serious headway at viewing him in perspective against other contemporary business figures. So, kudos. This is an excellent trend notwithstanding that people who idolize Buffett are going to hate it. 

  • ""
Mon, 03/29/2010 - 11:00 — H.C.

buffet and great luck,

Thanks Alice, but I'm still waiting, when will someone step up and ask the real questions ? What did BUFFETT know and when did he know it, and who told him ? Buffetts pal Paulson was running Goldman when much of the toxic crap was, originated, and sitting on the books of GS, including all that exposure to AIG ? WHEN did BUFFETT know GS would be made whole of its exposure to AIG ? Not bad info to have if you are thinking about making an investment in GS ?????? Will BECKY or anyone at CNBC ever ask a SUBSTANTIVE question ? lol.

Mon, 03/29/2010 - 11:00 — H.C.

buffet and great luck,

Thanks Alice, but I'm still waiting, when will someone step up and ask the real questions ? What did BUFFETT know and when did he know it, and who told him ? Buffetts pal Paulson was running Goldman when much of the toxic crap was, originated, and sitting on the books of GS, including all that exposure to AIG ? WHEN did BUFFETT know GS would be made whole of its exposure to AIG ? Not bad info to have if you are thinking about making an investment in GS ?????? Will BECKY or anyone at CNBC ever ask a SUBSTANTIVE question ? lol.

Mon, 03/29/2010 - 11:02 — H.C.

BUFFETT ,

I tried to change buffet, to Buffett, but it didn't work !!

Mon, 03/29/2010 - 10:23 — The Lorax

Reputation

Alice,

I refer you to a book, which I have not yet read completely, called The Ascent of George Washington - The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon, by John Ferling. Quoting from the flap, "The Ascent of George Washington peers behind [the] image - one carefully burnished by Washington himself - to reveal a leader who was not only not above politics, but a master manipulator adept in the art of persuasion, leverage, and deniability."

To the extent I've read it, it's a superb book, full of insight about how Washington transformed himself from a nobody into a man with, arguably, the finest and most durable reputation in history. Through the rough and tumble of war and politics, over a lifetime, somehow Washington always managed to convince people that he was naturally above reproach (even when he wasn't). Ferling argues that Washington cultivated his reputation with cunning, and explains how.

I'm sure you'll find parallels in this book to Warren. If you do read it, please by all means post your thoughts. I'd be thrilled to read them.

Post new comment

If you wish to make a comment, please enter your valid email address. A verification message will be sent to your address to ensure it is real. Comments from people with unverified email addresses will not be published. Thanks for your cooperation.
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em><i> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd><img><p><h1><h2><h3><h4><form><textarea><input>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.

  • Links to specified hosts will have a rel="nofollow" added to them.

  • You may use <swf file="song.mp3"> to display Flash files inline

More information about formatting options

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.