Cnn to give McCain free media in response to Obama's 30 minute ad.

[ej510]

It was just on Cnn.

[av8rdave]

1. They already have been!

[stray cat]

2. Donations from cable channels to a candidate - sounds like FOX

[SweetieD]

3. What? Is CNN in the charity business now? What the hell?

[mcctatas]

4. Good!

It will take away one of their reasons for more whiny little hissy fits

[renie408]

5. That's not right. If he were the candidate he should be, he would HAVE the money to pay for

his own 30 minute segment. Or the RNC would.

Assholes.

[ej510]

12. MSM will assist McClown until next tuesday.

[Tiggeroshii]

6. That very likely will violate campaign finance laws

Obama would be dumb not to make an issue out of that.

[stray cat]

10. An independent group should make an issue of CNN financing McCains campaign

it is a donation!

[WeDidIt]

13. They ahve to offer equal time to Obama for free.

[Tiggeroshii]

17. That makes sense.

[demokatgurrl]

18. I think that USED to be the law, but I do believe

that under our friend Ronald Reagan, that law was revoked.

[WeDidIt]

34. Nope, still the law.

Equal time is the law.

This si not the fairness doctrine.

[TxRider]

107. He probably shouldn't make an issue of it..

They will just throw back at him something about the "fairness doctrine" at work, and it wouldn't look classy when everyone knows Obama has so much more money to spend..

[CakeGrrl]

7. McCain/Palin: Corporate Media Welfare Recipients. n/t

[ShortnFiery]

How Obscene. Everyone touts "small donations" - it was these that gave Obama "the edge."

Well, I guess it stands to reason that the Corporate News Network must "stand up to the plate" and give The CEOs' Candidate EQUAL TIME?

It's the least we can do besides bailing them out with our tax dollars. :eyes: :puke: :eyes:

[WeDidIt]

8. Report it to the FEC

That's an in kind donation to the McCain campaign and violates the law.

[iceman66]

45. Agreed.

CNN's bias is becoming outrageous.

It's bad enough that they feel they have to show every single McCain or Palin rally in full, but this is really going too far!

[kwolf68]

9. How very socialistic of them

!

[faithfulcitizen]

29. John McCain needs a handout!

:)

[me b zola]

55. The wealthiest 1% are always looking for a handout

Paying your way is for the riff-raff.

[msanthrope]

102. THAT'S THE MEME--IT'S SOCIALIST!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[msanthrope]

103. THAT'S THE MEME--IT'S SOCIALIST!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[Schulzz]

11. Damn liberal media!

:sarcasm:

But not suprising, they are covering every McCain/Palin rally...

[Overseas]

14. That is disgusting. They have already given McHate double the time

that Obama has gotten. At least that's how it has felt.

Longer clips of McHate campaigning than Obama's as well.

Favorable treatment reporting McHate telling lies without correcting them a lot of the time.

ETC so very stacked in McHate's favor already.

Barack's buying the time because he and his team have seen the uneven coverage.

[Kaylee]

15. WTF? Pathetic little sycophants.

[Scurrilous]

16. When does Obama get free air time...

...in response to FOX's 24/7 ad for McCain?

[peaches2003]

19. Un-effin believable!

If Honda pays for an ad on Cnn do they give Toyota free response time?? Obama has paid CNN and the other networks for the time! McCain is given it free!!!? That is the end of CNN for me. Email address for complaints?

[aaaaaa5a]

20. It's only fair if the offer Obama a 30 minute time slot.

what next, free commercial time to make up for Obama's fund raising efforts?

[jenmito]

21. Time to call CNN to complain! (404) 827 – 1500 n/t`

[dennis4868]

22. will CNN give Obama...

time to respond to McCain? Why only give one candidate free time?

[NYC_SKP]

23. Prediction: Many letters and calls to CNN, and I know one DU member who...

...will be on this like no other.

FrenchieCat, list of numbers and email addresses, please!

:thumbsup:

[jenmito]

32. I already searched for her info. on who to call, etc: Here it is:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=7507522

[NYC_SKP]

42. Thank you, YEAH!

Nice work, jenmito....I'm in my car in SF picking up some free wi-fi.

Can't do much right now but glad you posted it for others!

NYC_SKP

:patriot:

[jenmito]

47. No problem! I already called and was put through to voice mail. n/t

[always_saturday]

100. Thanks, just sent my own blistering email.

[Tatiana]

24. How is this legal? This is a million dollar donation to the McPalin campaign. n/t

[ej510]

26. Their doing it so I assume it's legal.

[WeDidIt]

30. It's only legal if they offer the same free time to Obama

If Obama is not given equal time, it's illegal.

They may not care and may take the fine any way, though.

[Captiosus]

61. No such thing as the Fairness Doctrine.

It was abolished by the FCC in 1987.
The abolishment was upheld in court in 1989.

Broadcast media can show as little of Obama and as much of McInsane as they want with zero ramifications.

[DeschutesRiver]

84. Or maybe they will offer the required free time to Obama on the night before the election

Larry King's scheduled appearance for McCain was originally cancelled by John Sidney when he threw his first temper fit over Campbell Brown's excellent questioning of a McCain Camp aide over stupid Sarah's national guard fake credentials. Cnn was and remained pissed off at the retaliatory cancellation by John McCain.

If I wanted to properly slap the snot outta McCain for that slight, I'd give him his free airtime just before Obama's big night, to lull him into submission that he was getting something free that Obama had to pay for - and then announce that Obama is being given the same freebie, but in a better spot the night before the election.

Zing.

[Tatiana]

38. I think the DNC should file a complaint with the FEC. n/t

[KurtNYC]

27. Faux News is a 24/7 ad for McCain

[ecstatic]

25. McShame is a slow learner, so if he's on right after the special

then he will make an ass of himself regurgitating talking points that were completely debunked.

I'm still annoyed that he's getting a free ride though.

[spanone]

28. they'll probably give him 32 minutes

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

31. So will they give Obama free media time to rebut McCain's free media time?

Once you open this can of worms, there's no justification for ending it. Or is the new rule that every paid Democratic ad now warrants free air time for a Republican to respond to it?

[Tribetime]

33. Kerry didn't get any in 2004 in response to the 30 in ads by the swiftboaters

[Cha]

35. This is proof beyond a shadow of a doubt that

cnn has been in the bag for mccain this whole time and should be documented as such.

As per Frenchie..

CNN-
(404) 827 – 1500
Comment line: (404) 827 - 0234
(From grasswire
CNN NEWS CHIEF Eason Jordan. 404.827.5111. fax: [phone]. [e-mail]
CNN NEWS DIRECTOR Kim Bondy. 404 827 1500. fax. [phone]
CNN NEWSROOM 404.827.1500 . 404.827.1500. [e-mail]
Call Anderson Cooper at 1-866-NY-AC360

[WI_DEM]

36. What!? this is outrageous--Obama is paying for his time--and CNN is going to give McCain free air

time to respond!

[NYC_SKP]

37. No worries, Have you SEEN McCain blather? I say bring it fuckin' on!

Unfairness of it aside, I can easily imagine undecideds flipping back and forth:

Cranky vs Hopeful

Sad vs Happy

Old vs Young

Fear vs Hope

Bring it Fuckin' ON, McCain!!!

:kick:

[iceman66]

58. It doesn't matter if McCain's response is effective

giving him (and only him) free air time is just fundamentally unfair!

[abburdlen]

60. I agree

The more McCain talks the more he drops in the polls.

Go ahead CNN, let McCain continue to bury himself

[NorCalDem]

39. I suppose it is, but still curious. Is that LEGAL? n/t

[MadBadger]

40. Could you be more specific? What did they exactly say?

[SurfingAtWork]

41. Oh wow. This smacks of the fairness doctorine.

So I guess the fairness doctorine is only bad when it threatans ViagRush and Hannatard.

[ksoze]

43. Wait - Are you sure it is not the Larry King visit Wed night?

McCain is booked for Larry right after Obama's spot runs - are you sure that is not the air time they are giving him?

[ellacott]

57. This is a good question to ask.

If it's Larry King it should be no big deal.

[frickaline]

44. Are they refunding Obama?

It really isn't fair if they don't.

[kestrel91316]

46. If McCain gets free time, Obama gets free time. CNN must refund Obama's money.

[Sidney J Mussburger]

77. Obama didn't buy time on CNN

[kestrel91316]

87. Ah. So why is CNN giving McCain free air time?

[msanthrope]

104. SOCIALISM--to McCain, according to his needs.....n/t

[Life Long Dem]

48. This is opposed to "not" giving McSame free air time?

:rofl:

[nsd]

49. Specifics? What exactly did they say?

Are they giving McCain a full 30 minutes? If so, will they also give Obama a free 30 minutes?

[jenmito]

50. If you want, you can put this contact info. into your OP from FrenchieCat:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=7507522

[cjsmom44]

51. CNN = Conservative Network News....

Typical.... :puke:

[democrattotheend]

52. Is that legal?

Isn't that considered an in kind contribution? Don't they then have to offer that to Obama too? Or are they airing Obama's special free of charge and then giving McCain equal time?

[AzNick]

53. Obama should cancel the deal on their network nt

[Lady-Damai]

59. I agree! n/t

[rvablue]

54. Sorry DU, this is TOTALLY unethical but it is not illegal

The equal time rule only applies to the fairness doctrine which rules the public airwaves not cable.

In addition the fairness doctrine was abolished when Clinton (one of the worst things he did, but hey, it made it a lot cheaper to call long distance)signed the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

The fairness doctrine that made it the law to give equal time is null and void.

Now, there may be something in Federal Election Law that would prohibit this....anyone???

[iceman66]

64. I would say that it borders on fraud

CNN bills itself as an unbiased news source, yet by any objective measure its coverage is slanted toward McCain.

How is that not a deceptive business practice?

[rvablue]

82. Like I said...

it is totally unethical.

I think it is a horrible business practice and much, much worse even than that description.

I have a journalism degree and doing this doesn't fit into ANY model of journalistic ethics.

I'm sorry if my post seemed like I was advocating and/or defending what they are doing. It is more than unfair, it is wrong. I was just laying out some facts to see what action might be taken on it.

[Captiosus]

65. It was abolished long before Clinton.

Google "Syracuse Peace Council August 1987".

That was the unanimous FCC vote which ended the Fairness Doctrine.

[merh]

73. The Fairness Doctrine is not the same thing as the Equal Time rule.

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/equaltimeru/equaltimeru.htm

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802174.html

[rvablue]

83. Thanks for the schooling

I always like to be informed when I may have misstated facts.

I will definitely read up on it and thanks for the head's up!

[merh]

67. I don't believe you are correct.

EQUAL TIME RULE

U.S. Broadcasting Regulatory Rule

It is the closest thing in broadcast content regulation to the "golden rule." The equal time, or more accurately, the equal opportunity provision of the Communications Act requires radio and television stations and cable systems which originate their own programming to treat legally qualified political candidates equally when it comes to selling or giving away air time. Simply put, a station which sells or gives one minute to Candidate A must sell or give the same amount of time with the same audience potential to all other candidates for the particular office. However, a candidate who can not afford time does not receive free time unless his or her opponent is also given free time. Thus, even with the equal time law, a well funded campaign has a significant advantage in terms of broadcast exposure for the candidate.

more at http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/equaltimeru/equaltimeru.htm

[rvablue]

85. I stand corrected. Thanks for the info! n/t

[Viking12]

68. Could easily be considered a "contribution in kind"

While not a direct financial campaign contribution, it is a contribution of something that does have financial value.

Edited to add:

Donated Items and Services
The donation of office machines, furniture, supplies--anything of value--is an in-kind contribution. The value of the donated item (the usual and normal charge) counts against the contribution limits. A donation of services is also considered an in-kind contribution. For example, if you pay a consultant's fee or a printing bill for services provided to a campaign, you have made an in-kind contribution in the amount of the payment.

If you sell an item or service to a committee and ask the committee to pay less than the usual and normal charge, you have also made an in-kind contribution to the committee in the amount of the discount.

Under limited exceptions in the law, you may provide certain goods and services without making a contribution to the committee. These exceptions are volunteering, travel expenses and business services.

http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/citizens.shtml

[merh]

72. The Equal Time Rule still is in effect

It was an issue when Fred Thompson was on the ballot.

Fred Thompson's Presidential Hopes Could Put 'Law' Reruns in Lockup

By Michael D. Shear
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 30, 2007; Page C07


If Fred Thompson, the onetime Tennessee senator better known to most Americans as District Attorney Arthur Branch on "Law & Order," runs for president, some fans may be in for a letdown. Television stations are expected to suspend reruns of the show if he makes a real-life bid for the White House.

Federal campaign law requires broadcasters to give all candidates equal time on the airwaves. That rule applies to entertainment programs like "Law & Order," meaning stations that run the show would be required to give other GOP candidates a like amount of prime-time exposure.

-snip-

The equal-time provision, enforced by the Federal Communications Commission, has been a staple of political campaigning for decades. Its primary goal is to make sure that candidates cannot be frozen out of crucial television time for their campaign commercials.

Candidates' appearances on newscasts, interview programs and at news events are exempted from the rule. So are incidental appearances in documentaries.

But the rule has been applied to television and movie stars in the past.

During the 2003 gubernatorial race in California, television stations dropped all Arnold Schwarzenegger movies out of fear that showing them would require them to give countless hours of free airtime to all 134 other candidates for governor.

Stations also dropped "Bedtime for Bonzo" and other Ronald Reagan movies during his campaigns for governor of California and president.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032802174.html

[stillcool]

89. It has nothing to do with the fairness doctrine..

here's the FEC rules regarding campaigns and the media.
http://www.campaignlegalcenter.org/attachments/1121.pdf

[BlueIdaho]

56. This is bullshit - give them hell!!!!! nm.

[merh]

62. Since Obama is paying for his air time, they have to give

Obama the "free air" time or McCain's camp will be in violation of the FCC regulations.

I think CNN could also be found in violation of the laws and fined, not sure though.

I also believe the "free air time" could be considered a campaign contribution that McCain would have to claim and that could exceed what a corporation can give to a candidate.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

78. Corporations can't contribute to campaigns, either money or "in kind"

"In kind" contributions are things like furniture, office services, printing, etc. I'm not really familiar with FEC rules, but I wonder how an election law attorney would see this. I wonder if a distinction could be drawn between merely asking McCain questions in an interview after Obama's ad, as a proper newsworthy event, or actually giving McCain free and unfettered air time (i.e. no news reporting) akin to a political ad. If the courts might construe the latter as a de facto political advertisement, then might it not be also construed as an "in kind" contribution of services by CNN, which a corporation cannot legally provide?

[radfringe]

63. two points

1. how many people will tune in to watch mccain throw poo for 30 minutes vs. Obama speak about issues for 30 minutes?

2. 30 minutes of poo-flinging is more than enough for mccain to put his foot in his mouth

[zonkers]

66. Sounds like socialism.

[trudyco]

69. If this is true CNN is stupid or already know they are in trouble...

No way Obama people are going to forget this. Either CNN already is on the Obama To-Do list for cleaning up the media or else they are really, really stupid. No way will people forget this. Obama's going to win and CNN will have to pay the piper for all their conservative propaganda.

[City Lights]

70. How nice of them.

:nuke:

I donated lots of my hard earned money to help Obama fight the fucking asshole corporate media, and they respond by giving him and his snidekick more free face time.

:nuke:

[bmartello]

71. maybe they will air Obama's 30 minutes before for free

He's paying for the major networks, not CNN right?

[ksoze]

74. Are Sure it is not this - CNN MEDIA ADVISORY

CNN MEDIA ADVISORY

For Release: Oct. 28, 2008

Sen. John McCain Talks with Larry King on Wednesday, Oct. 29

Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain appears on CNN's Larry King Live

Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 9 p.m. (ET) for an interview with Larry King, the same evening Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama delivers his paid half-hour television network address. King and McCain will discuss the election and the quest for the presidency with just seven days left in the historic race.

http://thepage.time.com/cnn-release-on-mccains-larry-king-live-appearance/

[MadBadger]

75. SPECIFICS

[wyldwolf]

76. redistribution of wealth

[faithfulcitizen]

79. yep.

[Parker CA]

80. Deleted for misunderstanding why CNN would be having McLiar on. Larry King not free airtime.

[rucky]

86. Here's mine...

Is CNN Bailing-Out the McCain Campaign?

In the interest of “fairness” CNN announces they will GIVE McCain free airtime to match the time that Obama is PAYING for. Not only is this bad business for Time-Warner, but a serious ethical breach, to show preference to a candidate by offering them tens of thousands of dollars in free airtime. And it kills whatever credibility you’ve had as “journalists.” Ideally, we would bring back the Fairness Doctrine, but that’s not the rules of the game this time - and it’s not up to CNN to change that mid-stream when things aren’t going a certain way. Campaigns raise money partially to compete for airtime, and Obama has outraised McCain – fair and square. Your in-kind donation to the McCain Campaign in the form of airtime is just another form of welfare (socialism? bailout?) for people who feel entitled because they’re used to competing on an uneven playing field.

I’ll also be sending this note to the FEC for CNN’s excessive donation to the McCain campaign. Hopefully we can stop you from toying with our election process any more than you already do.

[Virginia Dare]

81. So will Comrade McCain accept this hand out?...n/t

[stillcool]

88. I called...

they said Obama was going to be on later in the week. Not sure if the person I spoke to was talking out of her ass, but I just reiterated the equal time..and I mean equal time law. I think it's great that Obama will follow McCain as The Main Act. Screw Johnny.

[me b zola]

91. I called and hung on for a live person that never came

Instead I was forced to leave a recorded message. I always use a personable tone, but as soon as I got started with my message a recording came on that I had only had 15 seconds left. I went into speed talking, but was cut off with "if you wish to re-record your message..." so I did and felt forced to come off sounding more loonish. Hrmph.

Fuckers. If they believed in the fairness doctrine then they should have proclaimed that from the beginning and employed it when they were playing the endless loop of Rev Wright. MoFos.

On the upside I sent a detailed e-mail. I will follow that up with several more. Fuckers.

[stillcool]

108. I got a live one..

and my husband got on the line too..poor lady had us in stereo.

[AZBlue]

90. Wow. Nice way to misstate the facts. Did I just log onto freeperville?

He's going on Larry King. Talk shows are not considered "free media" no matter which side of the aisle you're on.

[Yes We Did]

93. Thank You!

I couldn't agree more.

[progressivebydesign]

92. that's like letting Burger King have a free half hour of programming because McDs bought ads.

That is NOT in the rules. PAID ads are PAID ads. ALL they have to do is offer to SELL McCain similar air time.

Then I think that ALL the other candidates (and there are at least 12) should DEMAND a half hour of FREE air time on CNN, as well. I mean.. fuck, if Obama is paying A LOT for that air time.

I'm off to send a pointed, yet polite, letter to eason jordan.. who, remarkably, actually responded once to my email.

[WI_DEM]

94. According to Mark Halpert InSane will be on Larry King Live.

[eshfemme]

95. Will people quit spazzing out over Larry King? This whole thing is BS

Seriously, being outraged as a kneejerk reaction instead of slowing down to THINK is a freeper thing to do. Please don't just charge right in without asking for details. This is the kind of shit that got us in the Iraq War. CNN has done crappy things before but I really don't see how they deserve being harassed for a simple Larry King interview. That seems like the same sort of shit Republicans were doing by trying to claim that Obama's positive press coverage was because the media was in love with him rather than the fact that there was just less to cover on Obama that was as negative as the stuff on McCain.

So will you guys just fucking quit it? If there's evidence that's presentable that is worthy of such outrage, then go ahead and do so. But don't go with a full head of steam over something that you guys aren't even clear on. Nothing against you ej510 but I require more than your word on this before I'll take action.

[ieoeja]

96. Given they also have to offer free time to the other side, I can't wait to see Bob Barr's 30 minutes

And of course Nadar. And the Green Party candidate. And the Constitutional Party candidate. I'm sure there are more.

[zulchzulu]

97. Then Obama should get to respond to McCain for free then...

This is unprecedented in journalism. I mean...

:puke:

[FUCK_BUSH]

98. This is BS.Obama camp should complain to FEC

[AzDar]

99. Well, then Barack's time should be fucking free, too.

:mad:

[high density]

101. Larry King is "free media" now?

Meet the Press on Sunday was "free media" too.

Free media is all McCain can afford at this point.

Obama is going on The Daily Show tomorrow night, is that also outrage-worthy?

[budkin]

105. Link please?

[Forkboy]

106. Ummm...earth to the people on this thread...it's Larry King, not "free time".

I advise a switch to decaf. ;)