To support this site, please make your purchases through my Amazon link.
Sunday, July 25, 2004
On MSNBC's Convention Coverage
I just finished watching more than four straight hours of MSNBC's pre-Democratic National Convention coverage, and I must say that I was surprisingly delighted. I know that a majority within the blogosphere enjoys bashing "MSGOP" when possible, especially when it attempts to be Fox News Jr.; nevertheless, I found the reporting tonight to be on the whole balanced, and I believe the network portrayed the Democrats and John Kerry in a relatively positive light.
At about 6:45, I began watching as Chris Matthews was interviewing Al Franken, giving the humorist and radio host almost free-reign to talk about whatever he wanted. Matthews even kindly (though incorrectly) noted that Franken had beaten Rush Limbaugh in the ratings in New York (Al let everyone know that although Rush barely beat him, Al crushed Bill O'Reilly).
The seven o'clock hour featured a long prerecorded interview with Teresa Heinz Kerry in which Matthews allowed the (possible) future first lady to speak at length on a number of issues. Although some might complain that Heinz Kerry was a bit longwinded, I found it refreshing to hear a politician's wife who is so articulate on such a broad range of issues. Kudos must be given to Matthews for not cutting of Teresa's nuanced and thoughtful answers.
At 8:00, Matthews sat down Tom Brokaw to discuss convention politics over the last 44 years (also a taped interview). I thought the piece was extremely interesting, and I was particularly moved by the montage of Kennedy appearances dating back to 1956. With the archival video and Brokaw's memories of the nine sets of conventions he has covered for NBC over the years, I thought the program provided exemplary historical background on the significance of nominating conventions.
John Kerry's post-Vietnam experience was detailed in a documentary hosted by future NBC anchor Brian Williams at 9:00 PM. Kerry's appearance in front of the Senate and his leadership within the VVAW were highlighted very positively. The most intriguing part of the program examined Richard Nixon's feelings towards John Kerry and his attempts to silence the anti-war veteran. Showing the presumptive Democratic nominee as a righteous fighter maligned by Nixon certainly will not hurt Kerry.
The final program I watched was a look at 20 battleground states at 10:00. The show, hosted by Chris Jansing, detailed the Democrat's chances in these key states, as well as their strategies to win. With good interviews with Dee Dee Myers, Terry McAuliffe, and Bill Richardson, among others, the piece showed an assertive Democratic Party that is both willing and able to fight this election, tooth and nail. I particularly enjoyed the second to last segment of the show that highlighted Democratic efforts on behalf of Kerry-Edwards in Kennebunkport, ME, home of the Bush family compound; a highly positive segment, it showed that the Democrats will take the fight even to Bush's backyard.
Maybe this positive coverage by MSNBC will be short-lived, solely a consequence of the fact that the Democratic National Convention is being staged this week. I think it's possible, however, that this is indicative of the changing perception within the media that John Kerry actually has a shot at winning this election.
MSNBC, which is in many ways a weathervane judging the current political winds, was solidly behind the President for the year and a half following 9/11 (like much of the population). Since the Democratic primaries, though, they have been trending back towards the middle in their coverage (with the notable exception of right wing nut Joe Scarborough). If MSNBC continues this development after the convention through the election (that is to say if they continue to portray John Kerry in a positive light), Kerry's chances at election will be enhanced substantially.
Very few people watch MSNBC, however. If other networks and media outlets also begin to believe that John Kerry is the favorite to win this election, this may become a self-fulfilling prophecy as their optimism in Kerry's chances breeds increased optimism among the general voting public. It's far from certain that this will happen, but if the Kerry media team handles this convention well and continues pushing the media to accurately and fairly judge their campaign (and thus positively cover Kerry), Kerry's shot at winning in November will be greatly enhanced.
At about 6:45, I began watching as Chris Matthews was interviewing Al Franken, giving the humorist and radio host almost free-reign to talk about whatever he wanted. Matthews even kindly (though incorrectly) noted that Franken had beaten Rush Limbaugh in the ratings in New York (Al let everyone know that although Rush barely beat him, Al crushed Bill O'Reilly).
The seven o'clock hour featured a long prerecorded interview with Teresa Heinz Kerry in which Matthews allowed the (possible) future first lady to speak at length on a number of issues. Although some might complain that Heinz Kerry was a bit longwinded, I found it refreshing to hear a politician's wife who is so articulate on such a broad range of issues. Kudos must be given to Matthews for not cutting of Teresa's nuanced and thoughtful answers.
At 8:00, Matthews sat down Tom Brokaw to discuss convention politics over the last 44 years (also a taped interview). I thought the piece was extremely interesting, and I was particularly moved by the montage of Kennedy appearances dating back to 1956. With the archival video and Brokaw's memories of the nine sets of conventions he has covered for NBC over the years, I thought the program provided exemplary historical background on the significance of nominating conventions.
John Kerry's post-Vietnam experience was detailed in a documentary hosted by future NBC anchor Brian Williams at 9:00 PM. Kerry's appearance in front of the Senate and his leadership within the VVAW were highlighted very positively. The most intriguing part of the program examined Richard Nixon's feelings towards John Kerry and his attempts to silence the anti-war veteran. Showing the presumptive Democratic nominee as a righteous fighter maligned by Nixon certainly will not hurt Kerry.
The final program I watched was a look at 20 battleground states at 10:00. The show, hosted by Chris Jansing, detailed the Democrat's chances in these key states, as well as their strategies to win. With good interviews with Dee Dee Myers, Terry McAuliffe, and Bill Richardson, among others, the piece showed an assertive Democratic Party that is both willing and able to fight this election, tooth and nail. I particularly enjoyed the second to last segment of the show that highlighted Democratic efforts on behalf of Kerry-Edwards in Kennebunkport, ME, home of the Bush family compound; a highly positive segment, it showed that the Democrats will take the fight even to Bush's backyard.
Maybe this positive coverage by MSNBC will be short-lived, solely a consequence of the fact that the Democratic National Convention is being staged this week. I think it's possible, however, that this is indicative of the changing perception within the media that John Kerry actually has a shot at winning this election.
MSNBC, which is in many ways a weathervane judging the current political winds, was solidly behind the President for the year and a half following 9/11 (like much of the population). Since the Democratic primaries, though, they have been trending back towards the middle in their coverage (with the notable exception of right wing nut Joe Scarborough). If MSNBC continues this development after the convention through the election (that is to say if they continue to portray John Kerry in a positive light), Kerry's chances at election will be enhanced substantially.
Very few people watch MSNBC, however. If other networks and media outlets also begin to believe that John Kerry is the favorite to win this election, this may become a self-fulfilling prophecy as their optimism in Kerry's chances breeds increased optimism among the general voting public. It's far from certain that this will happen, but if the Kerry media team handles this convention well and continues pushing the media to accurately and fairly judge their campaign (and thus positively cover Kerry), Kerry's shot at winning in November will be greatly enhanced.
To support this site, please make your DVD, music, book and electronics purchases through my Amazon link.
