NETWORKS FIGHT DEBATE CAMERA RULES...

drudgereport.com ^ | September 29, 2004 | CNN

[crushelits]

Several indicate they will not be bound by limits on cameras

Although the Bush and Kerry camps have meticulously crafted an agreement on the rules for this year's presidential debates, the television networks broadcasting them refuse to go along with the plans.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

How is it possible that in 36 pages of ground rules - the campaigns didn't cover the obligation of the networks to follow the rules, or take a common feed (subject to the rules)?

[dougherty]

I hope they don't follow the 'rules' set by the campaigns. I want to see their reactions as the other one speaks. Gore's expressions and sighs were freakin' hiliarous.

[dougherty]

hiliarous = hilarious

[Retief]

I hope they don't follow the 'rules' set by the campaigns. I want to see their reactions as the other one speaks.

The problem is that most of the TV networks are so biased that they will not show any takes that are embarrassing to Kerry, and will show every take that shows GWB in a bad light.

[yooper]

Gore's expressions and sighs lost the deabtes for him, and probably the election. They came off as rudeness to the American people. Bush was a gentleman.

There's a life-lesson in there somewhere.....

[xzins]

FoxNews is in charge of the joint feed for the 1st debate.

None of the others can show anything that Fox doesn't provide them. Fox has said they'll not be bound by the candidate's agreement.

At the same time, though, they should be balanced in where and when they pan the audience or candidates.

[HannaUSA]

That may depend on who is running the pool cameras:)

[El Gato]

The campaigns should tell the networks to take a flying F-word at a rolling donut. Then set up their own cameras and stream the video out over the net, and any cable providers that want to carry it, plus C-Span. In fact, I'd just put C-span in charge of the pool feed, and then let the networks take the feed if they want. Arrogant SOBs.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Here's a stupid idea:

At least 3 cameras. One on Bush the whole time, one on Kerry the whole time, one on the moderator or whatever.

Let the networks decide how to cut among the three feeds, and let the feeds also go out to the Internet (hey, there's an idea!) so that the cutting preferences of the different networks can also be revealed, should it show any bias.

Give the taxpayers the raw material of the truth.

I want to watch on the Internet, unfiltered by the networks or even Fox news.

[rwfromkansas]

They showed Gore's.

Come on.....the press are biased, but not an outright DNC outfit to the point they NEVER show anything that might look bad for the Dem; they do sometimes....it just is that they focus mostly on the GOP when criticizing.

[weegee]

What I want to know is what John Kerry will be wearing?

Will it be the NASA "bunny suit"? The windsurfer wetsuit? His army fatigues? Will he wear a nice somber suit like he did when he crashed the Reagan memorial in California?

What collector's outfit will 'photo-op man' wear?

[weegee]

Consider the habit of newspaper editors selecting grimacing/scowling pictures of Republicans and smiling/pondering images from Democrats.

Those who listen to the debates on the radio won't suffer from such "control". The only thing they would miss would be a Gore-moment where the candidate steps away from the podium to challenge the other candidate.