On The Media - Elections

The Media Hearts Obama? (On The Media)

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:13 GMT

All three network anchors and dozens of other reporters followed Barack Obama on his whirlwind tour through the Mideast and Europe this week, sparking humor-infused complaints from the John McCain campaign. Project for Excellence in Journalism Director Tom Rosenstiel says there's nothing new about hating on the media, but that Obama has in fact enjoyed a disproportionate amount of coverage.

Debates Present (On The Media)

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:27 GMT

John McCain and Barack Obama say they favor a series of town hall debates, but both campaigns turned down ABC News's invitation this week, saying that no single network should be in control. Ezra Klein of The American Prospect says this might not be such a bad thing.

Debates Past (On The Media)

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:28 GMT

This isn’t the first time the presidential candidates and the TV networks have disagreed on the debates. Presidential debate historian Alan Schroeder describes a long and contentious history.

Feet Fight (On The Media)

Mon, 19 May 2008 17:57 GMT

The Associated Press has joined with Fox News, CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS in a lawsuit against South Dakota over a law forbidding exit polling with in 100 feet of a voting place. South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson says exit polling can impinge on the voting process. The networks say the law violates their first amendment rights. We talk with both sides.

The Elite Beat (On The Media)

Mon, 12 May 2008 19:32 GMT

Barack Obama's success in this week's primary contests took place despite an all-out effort by the Clinton campaign to paint him as "elite." Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg describes how the meaning of elite has changed over the years and psychologist Drew Westen explains why being labeled an elitist can be so damaging.

Debate Club (On The Media)

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 18:47 GMT

Media were awash with charges this week that ABC News hosted little more than a gossipy game-show masquerading as a debate. Or maybe co-moderator George Stephanopoulos posed important questions that cut to the heart of electibility, as he later claimed. Either way, what did you learn that you'll take to the ballot box? Project for Excellence in Journalism associate director Mark Jurkowitz says that if the goal was to inform voters then ABC largely failed.

Pressing On (On The Media)

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:52 GMT

For some in the media, the race for the Democratic nomination is effectively over. Most outlets, however, continue to cover every twist and turn as if it all still matters. Slate political reporter Chris Beam, Atlantic associate editor Marc Ambinder and ABC News political director David Chalian weigh in.

Editors in Chief (On The Media)

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:00 GMT

For supporters of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama the candidates' Wikipedia pages have become a key election battleground. The up-to-the-second nature of user-generated, user-corrected content means that an editor’s work is never done. The New Republic's Eve Fairbanks explains the political stakes of wiki-work.

This Magic Momentum (On The Media)

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:31 GMT

Hillary Clinton's victories this week barely dented Barack Obama’s delegate lead, but they did wonders for her momentum. That is if you believe in all that momentum stuff. Slate's Tim Noah says momentum is less a political reality than a narrative device for reporters.

The No Talk Express (On The Media)

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:57 GMT

John McCain's contentious history with his hometown paper, The Arizona Republic, has included bitter exchanges and periods when McCain refused to talk with the paper at all. Politico’s media reporter Michael Calderone talks about the evolution of the relationship.

Love Is On The Air (On The Media)

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:59 GMT

Do the media have a crush on Barack Obama? National Journal columnist William Powers thinks so. Powers says that while Hillary Clinton has to work to recast herself against a pre-written narrative, Barack Obama is virtually a media blank slate.

The Early Word (On The Media)

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:31 GMT

Campaign correspondents tread a narrow path between political analysis and outright prognostication. Once quick to predict the future (Google these words: wrong about New Hampshire), are reporters now more circumspect? And is all coverage created equal? New York Magazine’s John Heilemann weighs in.

What He Said (On The Media)

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:15 GMT

In the windy realm of political oratory, boosting words or cadence or even whole sentiments is nothing new. Did it stick, then, when the Clinton campaign invoked the P-word after Obama borrowed a few sentences from Gov. Deval Patrick? Copy that!

Character Matters (On The Media)

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:05 GMT

The fonts that presidential candidates select for their campaign logos reflect an important act of political branding. Sam Berlow of The Font Bureau Inc. says the logos all speak volumes about the candidates they represent.

Relationship Angst (On The Media)

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:01 GMT

John McCain and the press have been through a lot together – obsessive love, a bittersweet break-up, an attempt to work things out again. Mainstream media is torn. For conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, however, McCain is nothing short of a bête noire.

Tallying Delegates (On The Media)

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:22 GMT

As results come in from the various presidential primaries, media tend to focus on the popular vote. But primaries are actually a race for delegates. Tim Noah, senior writer for Slate, explains why media have traditionally shied away from number-crunching and why this year may see a new focus on the complicated delegate system.

Marketplace of Ideas (On The Media)

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:32 GMT

Political futures markets have long been regarded as good forecasters of real outcomes, drawing as they do on the wisdom of crowds. But Dan Gross, senior editor at Newsweek, wouldn’t bet on it. He says they’re not so much forecasting as they are reacting.

Primary Colours (On The Media)

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:04 GMT

In Britain, where political apathy is as ubiquitous as Earl Grey, the media are awash in American politics. Daily Telegraph columnist Janet Daley says that despite the “supercilious skepticism of the BBC to genuine popular democracy,” Britons are transfixed.

The Waiting Is The Hardest Part (On The Media)

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:31 GMT

On Wednesday morning, reporters, pundits and pollsters marveled at how little voters had heeded their New Hampshire primary predictions. But Christopher Hayes, Washington editor of The Nation, argues that campaign coverage is bound to fail because of the flawed structure of covering the presidential race. Hot off the trail he offers a corrective.

IOWA! (On The Media)

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:28 GMT

Journalists covering the 2008 presidential race have spent the past year-and-a-half obsessing over every incremental development. But after Thursday's caucus in Iowa they can finally respond to actual voting. Mark Jurkowitz of the Project for Excellence in Journalism took a look at some of the coverage.

Land of Plenty (On The Media)

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:29 GMT

Political fortunes may still be fuzzy after the Iowa caucuses, but one thing is clear: the candidates spent an unprecedented amount on advertising. Iowan Bruce Gronbeck, professor of political rhetoric and media, has been watching the ads. He explains what caucus goers and the candidates got for the money.

True That (On The Media)

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:31 GMT

It's that time of year, when presidential candidates' thoughts turn to misstatements of fact. But with more and more news outlets taking the pols to task for their public speeches and ads, might accuracy be gaining the upper hand? Brooks Jackson, director of factcheck.org, explains his quest to make the political landscape a more truthful place.

On Natural Elections (On The Media)

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:01 GMT

There's a good chance that the Federal Election Commission will head into 2008 without enough confirmed members to act. What then? Former FEC Chairman Brad Smith and Paul Ryan of the Campaign Legal Center weigh in. Plus, a campaign reform loophole as big as the Ron Paul blimp.

Vote First or Die (On The Media)

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 20:20 GMT

In the race to the ballot box the citizens of New Hampshire have long been first. In fact, it’s the law (okay, it’s their law). Brooke travels north to find out why the state is so determined to maintain its granite grip on the primacy of its primary.

Out Of The Past (On The Media)

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:11 GMT

Both voters and the national media have taken a shine to presidential contender Mike Huckabee in the last few weeks. But some Arkansas reporters are finding that Huckabee’s ethical history isn’t making the news as much as his folksy conservative bona-fides. Arkansas Times reporter Max Brantley introduces us to his Huckabee.

The Electability Contest (On The Media)

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:12 GMT

In 2004 John Kerry was thought to be more electable than Howard Dean but democratic voters lost that bet. This year, electability is playing an even bigger role in the primary season. But what is it anyway? Jason Zengerle wrote about electability in the current issue of New York Magazine.

Say My Name, Say My Name (On The Media)

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:13 GMT

Senator Clinton? Clinton? Hillary? In response to a listener’s letter we explore how the media and On The Media refer to the junior senator from New York.

Rough Trade (On The Media)

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:05 GMT

The Clinton campaign machine has developed a reputation for being adversarial, at best, with the press. Is it a response to a drubbing by the media during her husband’s presidency? Or is it a lesson learned from the Bush administration? The New Republic's Michael Crowley explains the consequences of crossing Hillary.

Forward Looking (On The Media)

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:07 GMT

“Dirty tricks” have long been a staple of American campaign politics – only now they increasingly play out online, reaching millions of voters. Take, for example, the conservative email forward. Christopher Hayes, Washington editor of The Nation, has a few in his inbox.

Colbert 2008 (On The Media)

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:24 GMT

Faux presidential candidate Stephen Colbert is getting as much attention as the serious contenders and even outscoring many of them in the polls. Brooke takes a look at Colbert's White House bid.

Brand Romney (On The Media)

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:12 GMT

In his November-issue report, Harper’s editor Ken Silverstein explains how the former Massachusetts governor has been re-branded for the national market. The question now remaining is – Will you buy the product?

Opr-ama (On The Media)

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:02 GMT

The celebrity endorsement is not exactly new to politics, but then there’s never been a celebrity quite like Oprah Winfrey, who, until now, has never publicly backed a politician. USC history professor Steve Ross says that Barack Obama may have won over the most influential voter of all.

Padding the Trail (On The Media)

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:03 GMT

Oprah may have an air of gravitas, but what about the campaign coverage itself? National Journal columnist William Powers argues that – for a variety of reasons – the soft feature has become the entrée of political reporting and the hard policy story, the side dish.

It's the Narrative, Stupid (On The Media)

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:52 GMT

If you want to be president you have to have a story to tell, or more especially one that reporters can tell about you. Paul Waldman of Media Matters for America discusses the three-part campaign narrative – from Jimmy Carter in 1976 to Barack Obama today.

Cash Cow (On The Media)

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:02 GMT

In a 5-4 ruling this week, the Supreme Court deemed a key part of the McCain Feingold Act unconstitutional. BYU Political scientist David Magleby explains why the decision is likely to open the floodgates of ad spending by interest groups.

Googlitics (On The Media)

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 18:20 GMT

In viewership terms, Google-owned YouTube is now competitive with TV networks. But with new media comes new questions, like how will Google define the separation between editorial and ad content? Political analystPeter Leyden says the answer is being determined as the campaign itself unfolds.

Fund Razing (On The Media)

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:30 GMT

Presidential campaign coffers are bigger than ever, but might the era of the Money Race be coming to a close? New York Times Magazine contributing writer Matt Bai says the ascendancy of the internet is ushering in a new and improved way of politicking.

Our Latter-Days (On The Media)

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 19:18 GMT

Earlier this month, Mitt Romney announced he’d raised more money than any other G.O.P. presidential candidate. Richard Ostling, co-author of Mormon America: The Power and The Promise, explains what the Romney moment means for the Mormon Church.

Primary Pile-Up (On The Media)

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:13 GMT

Tired of Iowa and New Hampshire’s clout, many states are moving their presidential primaries earlier in the year. Dallas Morning News reporter Wayne Slater talks about what the new "super duper primary" will mean for political reporters like himself.

Backin’ Black (On The Media)

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:32 GMT

Media consultant David Axelrod has gained a reputation for packaging black candidates for white voters. But The Nation's Christopher Hayes says the real challenge may be selling Barack Obama to fellow African-Americans.

Trail of Years (On The Media)

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 22:33 GMT

We’re in the midst of the earliest campaign season ever. Or are we? Historian Michael Kazin makes the case that not only has permanent politicking being going on for years, but it's actually part and parcel of the electoral system itself.

Home Field Disadvantage (On The Media)

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 21:32 GMT

Presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is known as “America’s Mayor.” But reporters who covered him as Gotham’s mayor know there’s more to Rudy than one day in the rubble. Newsday’s Ellis Henican and The Village Voice’s Wayne Barrett talk about covering Giuliani.

Kucinich Was There (On The Media)

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 20:20 GMT

Congressman Dennis Kucinich is again seeking the Democratic nomination for the President. He’s serious, but the media, when they cover him, are not. This despite the fact that his anti-war position is far more popular in ’07 than it was in ’03. We speak with Kucinich and his former media advisor Jeff Cohen about getting treated like an oddball.

Oddsmakers’ Mark (On The Media)

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 20:44 GMT

The first presidential primary is a year away, but that hasn’t kept the press from sizing up the frontrunners’ prospects. So far, the main criterion is not so much policy or fundraising ability as electability. Are the media playing at king-making? We ask Wall Street Journal reporter Jackie Calmes.

The Power of Myth (On The Media)

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:16 GMT

Election-night graphics had barely faded from TV screens before the media rushed in to explain what the vote meant. One narrative was that the Republican base turned against its party because it felt betrayed. Another was that the electorate was registering its disgust with the war. But Time.com Washington editor Ana Marie Cox tells Bob that many of those explanations are, in fact, myths.

Obamapalooza (On The Media)

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 22:07 GMT

Media were all abuzz over Barack Obama when he revealed on "Meet the Press" that he would consider an ’08 presidential run. Coming on the heels of a Time cover story and Obama’s well-received second book, media across the political spectrum were chanting Run, Barack, Run. National Journal columnist William Powers has anatomized the rise of candidates in years past, and tells Brooke that Obama is right on course.

Motivational Speech (On The Media)

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 22:07 GMT

Whoever ends up running in ’08, observed Paul Waldman on TomPaine.com, Obama offers Democrats a "lesson in how powerful rhetoric can capture and exploit a political moment." Waldman is a senior fellow at the progressive think tank Media Matters for America. He tells Brooke that Obama cannily established his personal and political identity with two early speeches that hark back to Reaganesque oratory.

The Ballot Beat (On The Media)

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 22:08 GMT

’Tis election season - a time for the press to explore the issues, like vote fraud and voter suppression. Only the challenge for newsrooms is how to inform the public about the problems with voting without discouraging them from going to the polls. Michael Waldman is the executive director of the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law. He joins Bob to discuss the fine line between news and hysteria.

Bayh Space (On The Media)

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 21:23 GMT

A recent gaffe by Virginia Senator George Allen suggested the ubiquity of YouTube may be a campaign liability, but to what extent can it be an asset? Indiana Senator Evan Bayh is trying to find out. He’s been posting videos of his speeches on the video-sharing site. And he’s created a Facebook profile, all in an attempt to woo younger voters. WFIU’s Adam Ragusea reports.

Ned’s Roots (On The Media)

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 22:28 GMT

Connecticut Democrat Ned Lamont’s primary victory on Tuesday has been widely heralded as the first major win for the online liberal advocacy community. But how much credit do the so-called “net-roots” really deserve? Brooke speaks with Internet theorist and NYU telecom professor Clay Shirky about the political web in its age of adolescence.