Posted on 08/31/2004 4:40:16 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
As your intrepid reporter on liberal bias at the morning news shows, a thought was running through my mind as I watched last night's speeches by McCain and Giuliania: "these are so good, there is no way the morning shows can spin these as anything but a major blow to John Kerry."
Apparently the morning shows agreed, because to varying degrees they adopted the strategy that the best coverage was limited coverage, or in the absolutely mind-blowing case of CBS' Early Show, NO COVERAGE AT ALL!
OK, in fairness, there was some brief mention of the convention during the Early Show's news recap at the very top of the hour.
But when it came to the extended segments during the first half-hour, first up was a rehash of the Kobe Bryant case. Surely, I thought, the convention must be next. But no, it was an update on surgery on conjoined twins. "No, this can't be happening," I thought. "They must be building toward a big conclusion to the half-hour with a major convention segment."
Uh, no. The final segment was devoted to informing us that it was rainy in Richmond yesterday.
Over at the Today Show, rather than extended coverage of the convention, we were treated to the second installment of a near week-old interview that Matt Lauer had done with Pres. Bush. OK, not as bad as CBS' Richmond weather report, but the big news of yesterday was what happened in the convention, and we saw very little of it. Rather than any extended excerpts from the McCain/Giuliani speeches (and don't forget that NBC did not broadcast the convention last night), we were treated to another soporific interview between Katie and Tim Russert.
Finally, at GMA, Diane Sawyer conducted a live interview with First Lady Laura Bush. I must say that Laura looked absolutely beautiful and conducted herself with her characteristic charm and class. That was put to the test when Diane Sawyer crudely asked her "so, are you going to attack John Kerry tonight?" "Of course not," replied Laura, maintaining her good-natured composure as someone might when a visitor's dog soils the living room carpet.
Both Today and GMA focused of course on W's inelegant phrase yesterday regarding our ability to win the war on terrorism. Nice try, but that would only stick if people thought for a second that W wasn't tough on terrorism or that Kerry was tougher. Don't make me laugh.
I thought a clear highlight of last night's speeches was Giuliani's parody of Edwards' 'two Americas' theme, when Rudy suggested that perhaps Kerry needs two Americas: one to take one position, the other to take exactly the opposite position on the same issue. But of course none of the networks let Americans see that this morning.
All in all, an infuriating performance by the MSM. But let's take it as a compliment and a good sign: they know how devastating the McCain/Rudy one-two punch was last night, and didn't dare let the American people see too much of it this morning.
You're very, very bad! Seriously, he regularly has lunch with the other faculty at the college where he teaches. He reports to them about his conservative wife (good, one degree of separation isn't bad for these folks). One of them seriously told him that she would not stay married to someone with my beliefs. Compassionate party indeed. Fortunately, he thinks they're crazier than I am! And he's slowly beginning to see the light.
You're forgiven..LOL..He's got to get tenure....THEN he can change his party registration..
He's got tenure and JUST became a full professor, so he has nothing to fear. I don't think he'll ever become a Republican but I don't care if I can get him to vote Republican. He really doesn't like President Bush (break my heart), but John Kerry took care of that vote. Hehe! My favorite TV historian is Victor Davis Hanson and he teases me whenever he catches me watching him that I married the wrong professor.
Thanks for taking my joke in the lighthearted spirit in which it was intended. Glad to hear you're husband is beginning to see the light. Keep up the good work!
I have REFUSED to watch her since she interviewed Ken Starr. She's vile.
Beat them to them punch!
Speaking of lightheartedness, my husband noted levity in the midst of serious issues in last night's speeches, in total contrast to the speeeches at the Dem convention. He also noted that these speakers thanked other people for their service and that their attention was not just on themselves. I just nodded and enjoyed his revelations.
What do people like that have in common? They believe in a STRONG DEFENSE and say so proudly. They believe America is a great nation, not because it gives away massive goodies, but because it is a lsnd of opportunity. There is NO Dem (save Lieberman, whose personality is just too whiny) who believes this. So on that count, you can't say "Well, the Dems ran rotten candidates." Dude, that's WHO THEY ARE!!!! Imagine if Dean had been the candidate: they'd be more honest, and be losing by an even bigger margin.
Now, what happened in 1992? Two things: Perot successfully muddied the waters (with help from tax-increase Bush)---and, I think, most importantly, Perot muddied the MORAL waters by refusing to discuss Clinton's social policies and/or military non-service; and Second, Clinton (as per the DLC template) successfully portrayed himself as "tough on crime," "a welfare reformer," and a "budget-balancer." This was the first time, EVER, that a Dem ran on a balanced budget! Even then, it was close (Clinton only got 43%).
You bring up 1996. Sorry, but that was the weakest ticket since Gerald Ford. Dole had no vision, no real personality, and Kemp was a drag on the ticket. Clinton was vulnerable to a real "conservative," but politics dictated that it was "Dole's turn." Those things happen.
Bottom line is that despite ALL THOSE WEAKNESSES on the part of the GOP, Clinton STILL couldn't get more than 49% of the vote, and lost the House and Senate.
While I would never say "this election's in the bag," I will stick to my prediction of 320 EVs.
Three-hundred twenty?!? Which of the thirteen win-states will GWB pick up?
I see. It appears that you are a member of the FRIA--FReeper Intelligence Agency. I believe we can therefore trust you to view the paleomedia as part of your duty. God bless you.
Governsleastgovernsbest: reporting for duty as a proud member of the FRIA.
I regret that you have but one life to give to our Free Republic.
SeeBS Eats Sh*t!
Ignore SeeBS, everyone else does!
Dan Blather and his ilk are nation killers.
FReepers, pass along to all your children, parents, and other relations that SeeBS (and NBC, ABC, CNN, PBS, MSMBC, and most of the newspapers) are just evil, ruthless B.S.'ers and propagandists!
Tell them the truth!
Excellent! I like that turn of phrase.
Feel free to use it early and use it often.
There were some people singing - at least it looked that way to me (I was watching CSPAN).
Thanks for covering the morning shows today. Our local TV stations didn't show any of the the Today show due to coverage of the floods we had yesterday. Apparently, I didn't miss much.
Just a teensy bone to pick - it wasn't just a rainy day in Richmond yesterday. We got 12" of rain in less than 12 hours. 5 people died. My normal commute is about 20-25 minutes - it took me 3 hours and 2 very scary drives trough flooded out roads to get home. And to top it all off - yesterday was my birthday. What a birthday present Gaston gave me!
I know you're just making about point about the paleomedia - I just say this for the lurkers who might think that yesterday in Richmond was just another summer shower.
Thanks - I will :)
But if a few had grabbed a mike, or if the singer had invited everyoen to join it, it would have been a SPECTACULAR moment..this was merely "superb"
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