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Opening Arguments

Conventional wisdom

Can't send those poor Democratic Hoosiers off to the Denver with nothing to say:

United Steelworkers International President Leo Gerard spoke this morning to the Indiana delegation, urging them to help elect Sen. Barack Obama to the White House, and more Democrats to Congress. But he also praised the Indiana delegation, saying that of the several delegations he's spoken to here at the Democratic National Convention, only Indiana has handed out "talking points" to the delegates.

So what kind of things are delegates being told to keep in mind when talking to the public?

"Barack Obama and Joe Biden offer a new tough foreign policy that is neither Republican nor Democratic, but is a strong, smart American foreign policy that makes us more secure at home and advances our interests in the world."

And: "Last night, Hillary Clinton made a strong heartfelt case to her supporters and all Americans for why they should join her in supporting Barack Obama for president."

I just take it for granted that anything coming out of anybody's mouth at the convention is preprogrammed Democratic crap, and that whatever anybody says in St. Paul next week will be preprogrammed Republican crap. Who can possibly take any of it seriously? Change, hope, fairness, blah, blah, blah. God, country, values, blah, blah, blah.

Just to get some level of skepticism, I've tended to focus on Fox's coverage of the convention -- at least their correspondents don't drool over how historic and wonderful this all is. Next week, I'll watch MSNBC's spin on the Republicans, for the same reason.

Comments

Doug
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 8:49am

I think C-span is the way to go. The cable news pundits generally have their heads up each others asses. And, their paychecks depend on controversy and narratives and a horse race. So, they treat the thing like some kind of reality television programming.

I'd like to see some sort of accountability among the pundits. "And, now we have on the show Pundit Smith. First, Mr. Smith, I'd like to point out that last time you were here, you said that Candidate X simply *had* to do x, y, and z. He didn't and he still won handily. You were horribly wrong. Why should we ever listen to you again?"

Harl Delos
Thu, 08/28/2008 - 9:39am

I've been watching C-Span, too, and a poll at Huffington Post says that's the most popular choice.

Those who watch MSNBC aren't watching for national politics, but for "office politics" as Chris Matthews makes inane comments and Keith Olbermann tries to avoid choking Matthews to death.

Next week, I suspect Comedy Central will have reports every evening from the men's restroom at the airport. That might be the more interesting coverage.

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