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.

[1Old Pro]

What's sad is that probably more people will watch this than pay attention to the real candidates and issues and vote.

[AAABEST]

I think the party system, as it has developed over the past 200 years, has served us pretty well. Perfect? No, but better than alternatives I've heard.

Bah! How can you say that Russ, when you know damn well since we've been on this forum we've watched things get worse every year.

We've watched our country progressivly devolve since our childhood for God's sake. How is this broken system serving us?

[Hemingway's Ghost]

I bet there's not an ounce of real breastflesh in that whole line-up.

[mhking]

[slowry]

Would FR members be upset if this was (bear with me please) a genuinely "right wing" news network, and they were trying to find a non-establishment presidential candidate?

Just wondering.

[WindMinstrel]

I still would, I think. The format looks like it would reduce teh winning candidate to the "mushy middle"

[Pagey]

I don't watch the West Wing and I sure as heck won't watch this.Richard Nixon said in 1983 :"...Television is like a distorting mirror.Real-life events seldom have so neat a beginning ,middle and end,nor are the good guys and bad guys so clearly distinguished.Decisions that leaders sweat over for weeks,are routinely dismissed in 20 seconds,with the curl of a commentators lip..." I will surely pass on this program,just as I have stopped watching Mr. Blather,Mr. Jokaw and and Mr. Lemmings.I truly hope this goes down like Phil Donahue's program.

[WhiteGuy]

I love this idea.

It just might get a lot of otherwise non-voters engaged in the election.

Could produce a real "peoples'" candidate.

(might just be a hot babe)- just kidding

[Mark Felton]

LOL. GREAT Bring them on! (I love capitalism)

If the media provides serious airtime and promotion the guy will have a chance!

However, any media outlet that provides such political promotion, at their own expense, should have their broadcast licenses revoked, or renegotiated to a backwater cable channel. The public airwaves MUST become apolitical (at least not so overtly biased).

[breakem]

Gone will be legimate debates on issues....ROTFLMAO! Have you watched the debates we have now?

[CJ Wolf]

well yes I guess that would be a problem. Maybe go for the sympathy vote in that area.

[PaulJ]

Who will the final candidate be? I think it's pretty easy to figure out based on what the average TV viewer is like.

1) It'll be a male.- For all the talk to the contrary, the average TV viewer (ATVV) still thinks of the President as a man.

2)He'll be handsome- The ATVV doesn't care for ugly people.

3)He'll be witty- A sense of humor is very important to the ATVV

4)He'll come from a modest background- Too rich and he'll be viewed as dishonest, too poor and there'll be that possibilty of criminal activity in the past. Plus he'll need to come from a small town.

5)He'll be compasionate, yet firm- He loves fluffy puppies but hates Hitler.

I can't put my finger on it, but he's starting to sound familiar. Any guesses or additions?

[CJ Wolf]

"Gone will be legimate debates on issues, in comes the entertainment appeal and superficial soundbyte discussions."

Gone? that was gone a long time ago, as it stands now, elections are based on who can pay for the mudslinging soundbites on 30 second commericals and who can rig it better.

Do you think they would even let this Candidate in the democrat/republican debate forum?

[houstonian]

Oh sure, lets elect another glib, telegenic actor/lawyer--the ones like they have in Hollywood.

[NittanyLion]

I can't put my finger on it, but he's starting to sound familiar. Any guesses or additions?

He'll come from a place named Hope?

[amused]

This is a car wreck from Fox I might actually watch.

[Windsong]

"He loves fluffy puppies but hates Hitler.:

And he will hate homophobes. Bet the ranch on it.

[WindMinstrel]

but...but...but *I* loves fluff puppies but hate Hitler

[WhiteGuy]

Hey B.A.

Here's our chance.

I love this idea.

[Petronski]

"And the Angel came forth and broke the Sixth seal and there was heard among the people words that there would be a WHITE HOUSE GAME SHOW: MURDOCH NET PLANS 'PEOPLE'S CANDIDATE'; WINNER TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT '04 and there was great wailing and nashing of teeth."