Blackout! CBS Early Show Ignores Convention, Today and GMA Take Mild Swipes

The Early Show - CBS; Good Morning America; The Today Show

[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.

[eyespysomething]

I also made no effort to keep up with the live thread.

Me too, had c-span on from 8-11, and didn';t go on FR until after the convention ended.

[iceskater]

You're right. That reminds me of going to an Orioles game after 9/11/01. At the 7th inning stretch, instead of the usual "Take me out to the Ballgame", they played "God Bless America." 45,000 people singing "God Bless America" was just amazing. The thought of it still brings tears to my eyes.

[ken5050]

Me too..Just wanted to sit back and enjoy it..However, a few tiems I wished that C-span had commerical breaks...LOL

[hotshu]

I saw on the early early CBS "Up to the Minute" or the ABC equivalent. They showed a short clip and stated that the peace officer's injuries were "minor".

[eyespysomething]

Yes, lol, that would be nice.

I was VERY pleasantly surprised by McCain's speech. I clapped and cheered.

Rudy I was not surprised about. But did love his Kerry jabs.

The women who got up and talked about husbands, brothers, and sons really really really tore me up. The one woman thanking everyone for the flags and pictures etc etc. Man o man, I was blubbering.