Democratic Presidential Debate in PA
April 17th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I thought I’d leave this one to everyone else. How ABC chose to handle this debate was so appalling that I felt sure that most blogs, if not the mainstream media, would call them on it. Our country faces serious challenges, but rather than focus on them, Charlie Gibson and former Clinton staffer George Stephanopoulous decided to dwell on the trivialities of gotcha politics for the first 50 minutes. After that, it wasn’t much better. This was embarrassing for everyone who watched it, let alone the participants. Viewers went away feeling soiled.
Not surprisingly, the outrage in the mainstream media was muted, with some exceptions. To critique the handling of last night’s debate would involve accepting an implicit rebuke of all the horse race blather and minutiae that passes for most campaign coverage. Yet still unsatisfied after my morning reading, I decided to take a look at ABC’s own site. I wondered what comments the network collected from viewers. The first six I found restored a measure of hope for our democracy after a dismal evening. Below are some excerpts.
This is from the first comment:
ABC you are disgusting. That was the most biased debate I have ever seen. Half way through I wanted to turn off my TV and gouge my eyes out.
The second:
I can’t imagine why anyone feels betrayed by ABC news for their terrible debate questions. They are just doing what they exist to do: Trivialize important matters, sensationalize petty garbage, and generally distract their viewers with utter nonsense. They help keep the public as sheep.
The third:
I’m done with ABC, done with Disney. I want a list of the advertisers for that sham last night, so I can write them, let them know they didn’t get lot for their money.
The fourth:
It appears I will have to switch to Katie Couric for news, though I have avoided it for so long, Charlie. Tim Russert will also be the benefactor, though I always enjoyed George Will’s point of view on Sundays, I can’t support this junk journalism.
The fifth:
As a service member who has been deployed to Iraq and having a family member who is going through brankruptcy i found the hosts of the debate utterly direlect in their duties. Why it took 45 minutes to get to a single relevant issue is beyond me. I think ABC news should be ashamed of themselves for such a tabloidial (don’t know if thats even a word) opening half of the debate.
The sixth:
ABC SHOULD BE ASHAMED of how they handled this debate.
April 17th, 2008 at 9:48 am
one facet, perhaps the key one, of how TIMES HAVE CHANGED is that people who are looking for “substance” in politics will have to find it on the NET. (TO blog is a prime example)
network tv, cable tv, big newspapers, talk radio etc. have been so “corporatized” in order to maximize ratings and revenue that they now consistently conform themselves to the “lowest common denominator”. (which means folks who spend less than 10 hours a year “deciding” whom they will vote for/against… who, for better or worse, apparently are the vast majority)
thus, with his reputation for public speaking, new-ness, novelty, etc., i expect that when the presumptive Democratic nominee makes his acceptance speech in Denver, it will be the most anticipated, hyped, and watched political oration of a generation. and as it will be an “introduction” to millions who’ve not kept up with the process, he’d better make it a good one.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
did you see david brooks’ op-ed about this. if not, it’s interesting. also, this was apparently THE most watched debate by far. last night’s was the one everybody decided to tune in for. wow.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:18 am
Obama been tie-toe one time to many since the beginning of his campaign. Charlie and George just reminded their viewers that this is a debate for the highest position in the United State of America. So give me a break Sen. Obama, I and all the rest who don’t support you say “Get use to it”, because if your nominated McCain supporters will make sure you do.
April 20th, 2008 at 10:22 am
some would call it ‘teflon’, others might call it ‘the new politics’, but the results of this year’s voting so far seem to indicate that a rather large chunk of the electorate, perhaps even a majority, now react (properly imo) with disdain when they see a candidate subjected to petty, mean-spirited, distraction-inspired, bullshit. (HRC in New Hampshire.. ‘iron my shirt’ at the top of the list)
obama again, as with the Iraq war, seems to have had more foresight into the psyche of the new and improved american electorate, as his methodology continues to be like the airplane in WWI, soaring above the dirty and bloody trench-warfare below. (whereas Hillary has spent a good many years becoming the most powerfully armed and armoured tank, in anticipation of the 2008 battle)
i expect that sometime later this year, obama will have to pull out the knives and “bite” back. and i also expect that the msm will trumpet it, with very few lamenting it (as i will), and none of them giving him credit for holding back so long. for though the times have changed, with many an old pol caught on the wrong side of the tide, the times haven’t changed that much.