influencing public perception

The U.S. government, in a concerted effort, used propaganda tactics to create a specific depiction of the war.  And unlike photos taken during Vietnam, those of the Gulf War included captions explaining each shot.

Technology in warfare

Instead of showing the gruesome realities of war, the press depicted only images
that displayed American strength–sure-fire signs of victory at war.

A sanitized sight

Spot-on destruction with virtually no casualties created a clean and "sanitary" image of war.  Such lack of brutality and horror reinforced the "video-game-like" nature of the war.

CBS's Jim Stewart described the massive air strikes as "rolling thunder air war" and "picture-perfect assaults."  ABC's Peter Jennings declared the "brilliance of laser-guided bombs" while NBC's Tom Brokow referred to "the threatening beauty of it." One CNN correspondent deemed it a "sweet beautiful sight."
Picture
A sensitized series of video stills shows a smart bomb hitting an Iraqi target.

Dehumanizing Hussein

The media's technique of demonizing Saddam Hussein created a one-sided image of the war.  By creating a vicious enemy and constantly outlining the progress of the war, the U.S. government gave no room to question its position, which was effective in "kicking the Vietnam syndrome." 

Furthermore, stressing the dangers of an Iraqi terrorist threat and claiming war as the "last resort" after failed diplomacy all propped the war as "unavoidable."  

Jerrold Post, a psychiatrist who analyzed Saddam's state of mind for the U.S. Government stated: 

"Saddam is not crazy.  He has the most dangerous personality configuration, which we call malignant narcissism. Such extreme self-absorption.... He has no concern for the pain or suffering of others.... A paranoid outlook ... Messianic dreams."
The media's depiction of Hussein: 
"We're dealing with Hitler revisited, a totalitarianism and brutality that is naked and unprecedented in modern times."
- President George Bush from ABC News Nightline Investigation, Reporting from Washington Ted Koppel September 13, 1991

the American War hero

President Bush established that civilians waving the U.S. flag were heroes  important to the war effort. The depiction of the U.S. military and eventual success actually increased America's sense of national pride.  Surveys revealed that 71% of the American public said that the Gulf War made them feel more patriotic.