Election 2004 - Right whee the media wanted it . . .

[AVID]

. . . and planned it.

What better news story than "electoral mother of all messes" (CNN) and "Down to the wire with no clear victor" (ABC).

Six months ago most media pundits were saying if Iraq was till a mess and the economy still flat or not improving much, * will be toast.

The buck stops with *. But the media trumpets, "HAIL to the Chief"
I say NAIL the THIEF!!

[Stuckinthebush]

1. I was telling my wife the same thing this morning

The 24 hour stations need a close race, they need controversy, they need to have stupid stories like CNN had this morning about how amazing it is that the rural vote is going Republican (no kidding).

24 hour news was the death of television journalism.

[ewagner]

2. Agree

the formula is simple:

Ratings = Advertising $$$$

If the media can keep Americans glued to the TV screen they can demand huge advertising bucks.

I'd really be interested in seeing the rate schedules for advertising during each networks election coverage. IIRC advertising during Super Bowl is something like $750,000 per 30 second spot...my guess is election night coverage will run close.

[archineas]

3. and think of the post-election coverage

the news stations will be all over themselves that they have months long coverage and spin and punditry over the great fall of the shrubbie. what a tragedy? *sarcasm*

the newsnets will have fodder for months. let's face it, this will amount to an amazing fall from grace, as none of the newsmouths could have imagined post-9/11 that shrubbie would go down.

it almost seems like a well written drama, where the hubris of the main character is what helps bring his downfall, to the opponent he never imagined could defeat him.

j