Cable News Covering The DNC With Republican Cue Cards

With a few standout exceptions, the television coverage of the Democratic Convention is so grossly disconnected with the reality on the floor that, if I were more conspiratorial, I'd wonder whether the networks hadn't pre-taped their coverage months ago. Sort of like that SNL sketch in which Dana Carvey plays Tom Brokaw -- preemptively taping an on-air obituary for Gerald Ford. "Tragedy today as former president Gerald Ford was eaten by wolves."

While obviously not canned, the DNC coverage this week definitely appears to follow a preordained law: When the Republicans attack, repeat the attack over and over. When the Democrats attack, attack the Democrats. For lack of a better term, let's call it Scarborough's Law, in honor of Joe "The Shovel" Scarborough.

Scarborough's Law explains everything we're observing on cable news this week, and it will become especially evident next week during the Republican convention. Worse, this phenomenon is partly how we ended up in Iraq, and despite all of the mea culpas from old media since 2006 or so, this practically habitual, knee-jerk law remains in play with few exceptions.

When the McCain campaign latched onto this silly "Greek pillars" story, Drudge picked it up and, because he's America's Assignment Editor, it's all we heard about on cable news -- especially MSNBC's Morning Joe. And now, concern trolls are urging the Democrats to backpedal -- to not only rip down the pillars, but to abandon Invesco Field altogether. And if the Democrats were to in fact backpedal, the usual suspects would truck out the "Democrats weak! Republicans strong!" scene as if on cue.

See how that works? Rather than ignoring this desperate attack as nonsense, or debunking it with a wide variety of photos of Senator McCain speaking in front of Greek pillars, cable news is, once again, performing with Republican cue cards.

Tragedy today as the Clintons are feuding with the Obamas. Exaggerated and ultimately debunked. Tragedy today as the Democrats are lacking "red meat." There was red meat served by the truckload from Senator Kerry, Governor Schweitzer, President Clinton, and many others. Just because Pat Buchanan didn't hear it, it apparently never happened. Tragedy today as Senator Obama is a Greek God celebrity who's out of touch with ordinary people. Torn directly from the McCain campaign's own ridiculous blog.

And then we have this week's most obnoxious non-FOX News example of a host repeating Republican talking points verbatim, courtesy of the actual Tom Brokaw who last night responded to President Clinton's speech by shouting:

"When John McCain was sitting in a prison in Hanoi, Bill Clinton was writing letters to his ROTC commander trying to get out of the draft!"

I think Mr. Brokaw pre-taped that one 16 years ago.

So we're not allowed to criticize Senator McCain on foreign policy... because Senator McCain was a POW? I rest my case. This remark was clearly horked almost verbatim from the Rove-McCain campaign playbook of the last two or three weeks. The playbook that suggests everything can be deflected by exploiting Senator McCain's experiences in the war. The all purpose POW card: now with added cred from NBC's anchor emeritus Tom Brokaw.

By the same strained, exploitative cranky logic are we also not allowed to criticize McCain for having a nonexistent health care plan... because of his skin cancer? (I hasten to note: skin cancer that was treated via socialized medicine.) Are we not allowed to criticize McCain on his plan to privatize social security... because he's an old man?

Where were you, Mr. Brokaw, when the Republicans paraded around their convention four years ago wearing purple heart Band-Aids, mocking Senator Kerry's Vietnam heroism? Unless I'm mistaken, I don't recall hearing any similar such indictments from you -- especially when those Band-Aids should have been a thousand times more deserving of a Brokaw spanking than anything President Clinton said last night.

Meanwhile, over on CNN, when they're not desperately hunting for PUMAs to fuel the exaggerated "disunity" frame, they're consulting with known race-baiter Alex Castellanos who, before he began collecting CNN paychecks, collected paychecks from Jesse Helms in exchange for masterminding racist ads like the infamous "White Hands" commercial. Very serious, CNN. Hire a guy who produced the most notoriously racist political ad this side of Willie Horton to cover a convention in which the first African-American is nominated by a major party. And riddle me this: even though they've been compelled to capitulate to the Republican demands for ideological balance, why a known racist? Oh, right. It's hard work to find a Republican strategist who isn't.

There is, however, some hope for sanity. Regarding her forthcoming show on MSNBC, Rachel Maddow told Howard Kurtz this week:

"I'm sorry -- we're going to have a debate about whether or not the Earth is flat? It doesn't make sense to have a debate about whether offshore drilling is going to bring down gas prices. You know what? It's not. The fact that it's false ought to be reported, or you're advancing a lie."

Right. For example, the Republicans can only win this thing by suggesting that the less-wealthy African-American candidate who was raised by a single mother and who only recently paid off his student loans is too "exotic." Scarborough's Law dictates that Senator Obama either defend himself or Republican shills on cable and talk radio will repeat this lie over and over. And when someone from the Obama campaign responds, there's no vindication from the press -- instead, the Obama campaign is inexplicably and incongruously accused of dishonoring Senator McCain's POW experience. As Rachel pointed out, there shouldn't even be a debate about this specious GOP attack in the first place -- rather, it should be reported as false, or not reported at all considering how ass backwards it is.

So it's no wonder that much of the reporting from the convention doesn't seem to match what we're observing either in person or on C-SPAN. Further, it's no wonder why Senator McCain's poll numbers are artificially inflated and the reactions to various Obama campaign events are muted or somehow flipped into negatives. Not unlike the run-up to the Iraq invasion and the previous two presidential campaigns, the reality of this election is being so grossly obfuscated in lieu of a seemingly pre-taped perspective that, once again, old media is enabling an agenda of American self-destruction.

Thankfully, and in the spirit of Senator Obama's acceptance speech tonight, there's hope. Cooler, smarter heads are prevailing. The netroots. Maddow and Olbermann. And, naturally, an energized Obama-Biden Democratic Party that's more disciplined and stronger than any campaign we've seen since, perhaps, 1992. This combination may yet be enough to shred a few cue cards and, more importantly, win the day.

Bob Cesca's Goddamn Awesome Blog! Go!

Comments

[BigMike75]

Amen Bob Cesca! Watching the cable news network coverage is an action in taking sense from nonsense. From BS narratives, on air squabbles, to 3rd rate punditry. Much of the time I find myself in a bad position trying to satisfy my thirst for good, objective, political commentary. Most people have found themselves subjected to a narrative that MSM is trying to portray a race that isn't as close as it appears. Take into account a number of variables...first off polling data is conducted on behalf of registered voters with landlines, and can't possibly account for newly registered voters in the system. Most tech savyy young voters only have cell phones, and are therefore not included in most polling, a pollster hasn't called me. That's why polls can only go so far in measuring the feeling of a constantly chaning electorate. Michael Dukakis was 15 points ahead of Regan coming out of the convention and still lost. Next, there is no polling template to measure the excitement of the electorate, and turnout, two areas where Obama is clearly ahead of McCain. If you compare turnout in both parties primaries, you get a good idea of that excitement. Ask yourself this, could John McCain even fill up half of Invesco Field? From what I understand their even having trouble filling up his rally tomorrow in Dayton for his VP announcement. There are just many variables that the MSM just won't address, because it bucks their narrative of a close race.

[syryn22]

And a quick and swift defeat for McCain means less ratings for the networks. Less ratings mean less viewership, less money. That's what this is really all about. The MSM chases their greedy dollar. They are even willing to risk their credibility, and frankly that is all a reporter's got! If you can't take a reporter's words as truth and objectiveness, then you really don't have a free press. You have a lying, deceitful press that is of no use to the general public. Period.
They know what they are doing by filling our heads with lies about this poll saying this, some poll saying that. I am so grateful for all of my fellow brothers and sisters for stepping up and showing up for this important event. We will rise above the pettiness of it all.

[clearthinker2008]

Plus corporate heads don't want higher taxes. They are big business and don't want to lose their tax breaks. Jmac and Pa*lin are good for business so that's the agenda that will continue to be pushed. Even top anchors making over 250 grand a year don't want 0 to win because they don't want to pay higher taxes either. We do need our airwaves back and the fairness act reinstated.

[jsinclair]

Thank you for pointing out with examples what we can all see is so true--cable news "anchors" and "commentators" using Republican talking points to criticize the Democrat--or to praise and reinforce the Republican --in the news.

And no one mentions how Gallup's switch to just polling "likely" voters skews the results against Democrats, since they are far and away the largest pool of new voters.

Maddow and Olberman are the only two regulars on cable who have credibility. They are being blasted this week by the likes of Brokaw for not carrying water for the GOP like he thinks everyone SHOULD.

We are lucky to have them--and good bloggers like you. Yours are regularly among the very best offered here. Tx.

[Indubio]

I avoided network news and used PBS. Jim Lehrer looked tired but the coverage was even-keeled and not over the top with two pundits (Mark Shields and David Brooks), two floor reporters, three historian/commentators, and one discussant/interviewer. Lehrer came off as impartial, while the two floor reporters were enthusiastic in reporting what they observed. Three historians were not pro-Democratic but they appeared to have passed some judgments on Bush/Cheney and they aren't favorable. Shields is a well known liberal and David Brooks...what to say about him: smug and self righteous, and, a well known neoconservative. Brooks tried to throw a wet blanket on the convention but made himself look foolish. Shields honestly tried to impartially view the proceedings but not Brooks. Brooks wasn't able to muster many negatives. He called Obama's acceptance speech "diffident' saying that he's heard better. Brooks seemed to forget that before the speech, he emphasized Obama needed to focus on specifics actions rather than policy platitudes; after the speech, Brooks complained that Obama's speech focused too much on specifics and wasn't sufficiently fiery as a consequence. I find it astonishing that a seemingly intelligent man like Brooks can sit before a national audience and defend the status quo but that's what he tried to do (rather poorly I might add).

[knighthowl]

If you read Brooks, you will find that he writes well, but does not think well. He was a big supporter of the Iraq war and saw no comparison between it and Viet Nam. Somehow he learned to write, but not to think.

[Roci]

This is why I didn't give a single ratings point or one thin dime to the TV/cable networks during the convention. I watched CSPAN all the way thru, and was spared the spin, slant, slash and burn, and all of the ego boosting by the inflated, self-important pundits. These are people who sit behind the desk and get paid obscene amounts of money to abdicate their responsibility, and use the airwaves which are public, not corporate property to pontificate and boot lick. Those people like Olbermann who have had the guts to call BS on them have been attacked more over the last few days more often than Obama has been by the buffoons and lapdogs who bark only to the tune of their media master's dog whistle.
Olberman was right, is right, and because I knew what to expect from a main steam media full of jerks, cowards, and craven cattle disguised as news people, I just simply turned them all off and watched history being made along with it's own live soundtrack. What a pity more Americans just can't find it within themselves to just shut these people off, and kill their lies with silence.

[syryn22]

AMEN!!

[Frenchy9]

Thank you Mr. Cesca for this article proving that the Channels, are biased against Obama and mots of the time in a very sly way. And they favor McCain.
But the McCain campaign was not afraid to send their representatives to one of the Networks to protest that McCain was not enough covered. They protested against several networks. Just after that there was an objective study that established that even if coverage of Obama was more abundant (as he was creating more interesting stories), the exposure was more often unfavorable than with McCain.

But Obama campaign did not protest!

Seeing your article, I am happy that this very damaging attitude of the press is again denounced strongly and clearly. Well proved.
Hope your article is picked up by THe campaing and they start protesting to. The young generation may know better, but many for many folks, it's easy to be cheated, and they also deserve to know what's propre reporting.

[kingreyshelley]

Yes, it's true, I saw it too. Pat Buchanon gushing like Old Faithful about Obama's speech on MSNBC.
My family and friends kept thinking we weren't hearing it right, kept looking at each other wondering if we'd shifted into some alternative universe. Talk about a miraculous speech.

And I SO agree with Mr. Cesca. Been thinking the same thing myself all week watching the cable coverage, although I'm liking Rachel Maddow. If CNN had tried to stir the pot anymore witch hats would have appeared on their heads and newts on their shoulders.

[naijaman]

Great article. I stopped listening to anything coming out of Scarborough's pie hole ever since he declared Hillary would crush Obama back in December 2007. He has ZERO credibility.

[Hookie101]

I too am tired of hearing about anonymous Democratic "aides" and high ranking "officials" confiding in the media about their constant pants-wetting whenever the Mccain camp decides to launch another juvenile attack. At a time when it's more important than ever for Dems to present a united front, these people (if they do exist) seem to take a morbid pleasure in second-guessing every decision made by the Obama campaign. Cry in a pillow somewhere, but suck it up.

[jorge999]

BOYCOTT SCARBOROUGH
( ie. his 'Morning Joe' program)

[MyGuyO]

J.....Amen. My sentiments exactly!

[Passenger57]

Most of the MSM coverage:
"So-And-So is about to take the stage...what do they need to say in order to....?
[AFTER THEY SPEAK] : "Some question whether that will be enough..." or "What was missing from So-And-So's speech?
And why they INSIST on 'summarizing' what we've just sat through and listened to intently , I'll NEVER know...

[brendanm]

Well, I like your summary...

[Danny]

Brilliant analysis, Bob Cesca, as usual. Two things I want to comment on.

C-SPAN has suddenly become respectable because it is doing what is cheap. Reporting, from the floor, actual proceedings of live events, without comment. How noble! Not to denigrate, but as soon as the proceedings were over, they had their '"press one for republican line", "press two for demo xx cRATS", and that's all we have room for'. On TeeVee. So much for C-SPAN and free expression of all colors of opinion.

Second (I can't remember what the salient 'second' was) but this much I know. Because suddenly MSNBC is turning left, the right-wing corporate media are going ballistic. "MSNBC imploding" screams HuffPo. Please, let us have at least Holbermann AND Rachel Maddow, if it isn't too much to ask (hat in hand). Sheesh.

[syryn22]

Not even the sad excuses for reporters who regurgitate republican garbage will stop us. I love how reporters show their ignorance. I am soooo not impressed with what pundits have to say because we are all smarter and wiser than them. My blood boiled this morning when I heard some idiot on MSNBC saying that Barack should stop speaking in front of huge venues...I was waiting for a valid reason as to why he should stop speaking in front of the thousands and didn't hear it. I heard a whole lot of silliness about him not relating to people on a small time level, but I know that is simply to conjole the sorry repugs that still have hope for this election. I just turned the tv off because for the first time, in my twenty eight years, I realize I am a whole heck of a lot smarter, wiser and more informed than the nuts on TV and in the press. They can't tell me sh*t about who to vote for, how to think, what to do, and where to go. Their opinions reek of an underlying agenda and I will not be manipulated. A new day has come where we are truly able to see the world and its players for who and what they really are.

[lanrameau]

I first heard of the Greek temple thing from Jon Stewart. Much to my dismay, Stewart is turning into a cynical jerk before our eyes.

[ViciousKitty]

It was refreshing to watch this event on C-SPAN. I don't need yapping mouths to tell me what I saw and what I should think about it.

Actually, the reason McCain has a nonexistent health care plan is because he was a POW.

About "red meat." Is this the new koolaid under the bus?

[blueflush]

very timely article. I think obama's speech tonight was amazing I wondered today if he would pull it off and he did. I would like for the democrats and obama's campaign to return the same favor to the republicans during their conventions. I was very proud to finally hear thr dogged fight obama showed and express. he and is staff must keep this up no relenting