CNN's Klein: We Focus On "Substance, Not Horse Race"

TVNewser:

With two more debates next week, CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein is confident his political team has found the formula for success. "Letting the candidates talk at length," Klein tells TVNewser. "I think that's the reason behind the general interest in debates and certainly a driver of the debates that we've broadcast."

Klein is coming off a successful string of primary debates. His network has the top three debates on cable and Monday's Democratic face-off in South Carolina was the most-watched primary debate ever on cable.

Read the whole story: TVNewser

Comments

[midwestvoter]

What we know about Republicans is they do not vote "FOR" issues or leaders, they won't "AGAINST" whatever they are told to fear at the moment. With this insight, Dems need to vote strategically. All of the Republican candidates have major flaws, including and especially McCain. None of them appeal to all the factions of the conservative voter. McCain has problems with the neocons who want the US to be Jack Bauer in 24 and torture, he has problems with the bigots- amnesty for illegal immigrants, anyone? And Wall Street? He is against Bush's tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.

So, in order for him (or any Republican) to win, the Dems need to have a candidate they can promote as something to fear far worse than the differences they have with the Republican nominee.

Unfortunately Hillary and Obama can deliver the red meat they need to instill enough fear into republicans to drive them to the polls. Whether it be Clinton hating, fear of women in control, fear of a black man in control, fear of a (wink wink) possible muslim in control, Bill Clinton's penis, etc, etc.

John Edwards is the only candidate that will not only adhere to the Dem principles, but most importantly, the Republicans are not going to be fearful enough of a white southern man (albiet with great hair and a big house) to vote for a Republican they can't fully get behind.

Hillary and Obama will still be in the Senate and still have fabulous futures ahead in the party (if their bickering doesn't completely destroy them and us). Vote strategically. Edwards is our only hope and the GOP's worst nightmare. It's about time we stop shooting ourselves in the foot and feeding the monster.

Go Edwards Go!

[Bulbul]

I will take Wolfie or anyone just do not want Russert/Mathews morderating any debate anytime soon ! Those two are dellutional and think they are the important factors.

Also CNN lighting was very kind to all three candidates. All of them looked great with makeup and all. That is not accidental, they were paying attention.

[jukesgrrl]

Oh, horse SHIT.

[irkthesmirk]

The "substance" provided by CNN is what's left on the ground after the horse race. If they were as good as they keep telling everybody they are, perhaps we would have a good honest debate of the issues, with more than just the "celebrity candidates" involved.

[Lazslo]

Oh really? So where is the coverage of voter intimidation by Bill Clinton in Nevada?

[ClaudiaJean]

He's delusional. CNN while leaps and bounds ahead of FOX in terms of journalistic integrity and fact-based reporting, is still a network interested in ratings and will do or say whatever is necessary to grab a viewer. They have the opportunity to report real news but focus on the salacious.

They employ Lou Dobbs and Larry King. They have Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace on their Headline News sub-network - why, to prove their equally as moronic as Murdoch? They regularly refer to Harvey Levin and TMZ as reliable sources for commentary and information. They have helped script this presidential campaign into a three-way horse race from day one. He is as much at fault as any other mainstream media bigwig.

The campaign format might allow for more talking room but to flat out spin it as caring about the substance and the issues versus the horse race, well... I'll leave Jon Stewart's video editors and tons of CNN footage to speak for itself...

[Wiredwilly]

Substance ? LOL. Where's Kucinich ?
How about making Noam Chomsky , Jim Hightower, or Randy Rhodes the moderator. The interest in the debates is because people are desperate and getting tired of watching American Idol.