WHITE HOUSE GAME SHOW: MURDOCH NET PLANS 'PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE'; WINNER TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT '04

Drudge ^ | 9/20/2002 | Matt Drudge

[WindMinstrel]

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRIDAY SEPT 20, 2002 08:51:37 ET XXXXX

WHITE HOUSE GAME SHOW: MURDOCH NET PLANS 'PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE'; WINNER TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT '04

Move over American Idol. Here comes American President.

A Rupert Murdoch game show which may choose the outcome of the next White House occupant!

Cable channel FX is set to mount an ambitious two-year endeavor that will culminate in the American public choosing -- a "people's candidate" to run for president of the United States in 2004.

MORE

The final episode will be an "American Candidate" convention, held on the National Mall in Washington around July 4, 2004.

"It's like a cross between 'The War Room' and 'American Idol,"' the show's producer, R.J. Cutler tells DAILY VARIETY this weekend. "We will be making available to every American who is qualified, by virtue of the Constitution, the opportunity to run for president."

Just as "American Idol" went searching for undiscovered musical talent, Cutler said "American Candidate" will be on the hunt for untapped political and leadership skill.

[order_of_reason]

"The American Candidate":Because Clinton and "The West Wing" don't disparage the office enough.

[WindMinstrel]

It's the end of civilization. Just what we need -- Fox producing Huey Long part 2

[Hemingway's Ghost]

In the words of Pappy O'Daniel: "Sweet weepin' jeesus!"

[TomGuy]

Depending on the criteria that develops, this could severely challenge ye ole establishment of both current major parties. Many non-voters have wanted a viable third alternative. Considering that some 110 million eligibles (approx. 57% of total eligible to vote) were actually non-voters in 2000 and each major candidate garnered 48 million of those who did vote (approx 21% each of total eligible to vote), this shake the foundation of ye ole establishment.

[WindMinstrel]

Oh, yes, it'll certainly shake up the establishment. However good that would be, I think it would be eclipsed by the raw evil of an MTV candidate.

It'll shake up the establishment, but it'll push everything to the left. That's my wager.

[Russ]

I agree! Trivializing one of the most important decisions a citizen has to make is another step in the steady decline into third world status.

Why don't they try this out in Iraq first to see how it works?

[FryingPan101]

This may be the final blow if it happens. Talk about confusion? Folks in Florida can't even figure out how to vote as it is. People in El Paso only know how to mark one box. Now with all the hype of Idol, the panting, mindless are going to choose our country's leader? Thank you, Mr. Murdoch. Will GW be allowed to be a participant? Well......maybe this could turn out to be a huge laugh and a way to get Mr. Slick Sax back in the headines.

[billbears]

Alright where do I need to sign you guys up? On second thought, I think we need to get Walt on the show. LOL

[NittanyLion]

Oh, yes, it'll certainly shake up the establishment. However good that would be, I think it would be eclipsed by the raw evil of an MTV candidate. It'll shake up the establishment, but it'll push everything to the left. That's my wager.

Actually, the "MTV candidate" would most likely draw votes from the left, leaving the conservative voting bloc mostly untouched.

Could be a good thing. Could even spur real debate, instead of debate between increasing spending "a little" versus "a lot".

[vollmond]

This is wrong on so many levels. It's more than likely that some b-grade, Behind the Music or True Hollywood Story loser will win this thing. Or maybe an ex-jock.

Potential "winners": Ice-T, Jesse Ventura, Carmen Electra.

But I have to admit, I'll watch it. What a train wreck.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Speaking of Ye Olde Establishment, some interesting news up here in Massachusetts: on 01 October, Libertarian candidate for Governor of the Commonwealth Carla Howell will be participating in one of those Mk 1 Mod 0 televised debates with Republican Mitt Romney and Democrat Shannon O'Brien.

Time to put up or shut up, third parties!!!!

[TomGuy]

A few potential future programs in development:

Survivor: Congress - you don't like the Congressman/woman? Then vote him/her out next week.

The Great Race: Capitol Hill - follow the money (as Judge Judy says) to see which Congressman/woman collects the most benefit from his/her elective office.

Dog Eat Dog: Washington, DC - see which lobbyist group gains the most power and influence in the Washington.

The Fear Factor: Capitol Hill - see which Congressman/woman runs fastest to the secluded shadow government bunkers as threats pop up. [Note that the shadow government bunker is moved, unknown to the contestants, between each threat.]

[11th Earl of Mar]

Why doesn't he just run a tape of the 2000 Reform Party convention? It would be a lot cheaper, the players are all colorful and the winning candidate would be just as qualified as any of his game show contestants.

[LetsRok]

I think this is the trend of all things to come. For too many years we the people have been force fed candidates "annointed" by the party establishment. There are too many people in business that would make a better candidate and the public has a right to choose them. A game show on TV would give this third party candidate the same exposure as the Democratic or Republican.

My question would be if the ultimate winner of the game admits to being a Republican. Would the party endorse him or her, or would they demonize them in favor of their "chosen" standard bearer?

[nov7freedomday]

I think he may have a problem with equal access laws. This would equate to a lot of free advertising for a political candidate. It sounds like his two year time table would coincide with the campaign season for 2004.

And what does McCain Fiengold say about this?

[NittanyLion]

Wonder what the impact of CFR would be on a game show of this type?

[BlackRazor]

My thoughts exactly, NitannyLion. The winner of this thing could well have a cult-following among younger, less educated, less politically engaged people who probably tend to vote Democrat (if they vote at all).

[lepton]

Yeah, but most of those that didn't vote, and many who did, were clueless. We don't need more people voting just to vote. We need people who know what they are voting for voting.

[ClancyJ]

In other words, Fox, Ailes (sp?), is going to pick a president of the United States. Could this have been the purpose of establishing an alternative cable station to appeal to the conservatives? Lead them to Fox, then mount a TV GAME SHOW to push through a candidate of Fox (Ailes) choosing to have developed enough popularity to win over legimate candidates?

This is crass, manipulative and an attempt to control the election of President of the United States. This is almost enough for me to ban watching Fox.

Gone will be legimate debates on issues, in comes the entertainment appeal and superficial soundbyte discussions.
Crass - pure crass. Makes me doubtful of Ailes purpose in developing a cable news network.