Irritating Convention Coverage Thread

by: Chris Bowers

Mon Aug 25, 2008 at 18:55


Like most of you who are reading this blog, I am not in Denver. Instead, I am at home, watching the convention on television. Inevitably, a lot of the coverage will be extremely irritating. What are you seeing? What coverage has really irritated you so far?

I'll get the ball rolling. I'm watching PBS (no cable), and a few minutes ago they were focusing on how the delegates were supposedly unrepresentative of the party that elected those delegates. Two points they raised irritated me in particular:

  • First, two of the pundits commenters PBS had on said that the delegates were 51% male, even though 58% of Democrats are women. Aarrgghh. Are these people aware that virtually every single state party, and the DNC itself, have rules in place that mandate a 50-50 gender split among party officers and delegates? Are they aware that the remaining difference comes from the superdelegates who are members of Congress, about 70% of whom are male? Grrrr. The gender split among the delegates is mandated by party rules designed in previous decades to increase female representation, not decrease it.

  • Second, they started flogging the "80% of the delegates have college degrees" line again. I really hate this one, because the traditional media uses it to dismiss the blogosphere, too. Well, what percentage of television journalists and pundits have college degrees? I'd bet a lot of money that it is significantly more than 80%. Remarkable how a bunch of well educated types have no problem dismissing other groups, from Democratic delegates to progressive bloggers, because those groups are also well-educated. This is, of course, part of the longstanding media obsession with the Bubba lineage of swing voter that I described in my recent article in The Nation.

Lack of self-awareness and knowledge of the subject matter the commenters are discussing is irritating me. What is irritating you?

Chris Bowers :: Irritating Convention Coverage Thread

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Irritating Convention Coverage Thread | 32 comments
Have been dipping in and out online (0.00 / 0)
And must say the HD feed is frickin' awesome!
From the official site I mean (0.00 / 0)
[ Parent ]
Earlier I was playing a 3 station flip... (4.00 / 1)
...CNN, Fox and CSPAN.

CNN had much better images than FOX, with likely a better position inside the venue and more cameras involved, but both were doing punditry, rather than cover the convention.  Neither Fox nor CNN made it known there were speakers on the stage, I can understand not broadcasting the speeches in their entirety, but acknowledge that they are occurring please.  Fox  and CNN were both focused on the side stories, fairly equally dismissive of them (Obama/Clinton rift over both delegates and Bill's Speech, and PUMA activity/ads), dismissive but still bringing them up.

CSPAN coverage is strictly the convention presentation as intended by the DNC.  Lots of camera shots of the delegates, signs and activity in the hall, but no coverage outside or at the other venues from what I've seen.

So yes, CSPAN is the best from what I've seen.

I'm on C-Span (4.00 / 1)

 I very rarely watch cable news, because the temptation to throw a brick at the screen is just too great.

 And I wouldn't have enough bricks to make it through the next four days if I watched CNN.  

"We judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their actions. It is a great convenience." -- Howard Zinn

[ Parent ]
Pretty sure that... (4.00 / 1)
...unless your aim is awful, throwing the first brick would eliminate the cause of your desire to throw future bricks.

Or do you have a 10" thick sheet of bulletproof glass in front of the tv?

[ Parent ]
If a tree falls in the forest .... (0.00 / 0)
I popped in to comment on the same thing. Around 730p EDT Scarborough on MSNBC was crowing about how great McCain's chances were while some talking head on CNN was talking about how Bill Clinton is unhappy. All the while Amy Klobuchar was giving a speech in the background. I didn't realize she was even speaking myself until flipping over to CSPAN.
[ Parent ]
c-span (0.00 / 0)
is the way to watch the convention, i haven't watched the msm for better then seven years, i want facts not pundits telling me what i see and know isn't the truth.

i will probably throw in a little ko and maddow if i feel the urge but other then that i want no nonsense coverage and c-span is the only possibility for that.

have fun dems wherever you land in tv land, even the msm media can't ruin this celebration of the rainbow we will be watching the next four days, good luck and be safe.

[ Parent ]
Yeah (4.00 / 1)
I went from watching CNN (being mildly pleased they're giving it 6 hours coverage) to being irked they are completely ignoring the speeches going on, and I've switched to c-span online with CNN muted in case any actual news breaks.

CNN keeps promoing (0.00 / 0)
Larry King who will "give the Republicans their say" at midnight.

Isn't that what the Republican convention is for?  Does every day of the DNC require a Republican rebuttal?  Not that many will watch past midnight I guess.  Hell, the Republicans already have the advantage of the "last word" as they can structure their speeches and topics to respond to anything the Dems say that resonates.


As long as they give equal time during the GOP hate-fest (0.00 / 0)
I seem to remember the Democratic rebuttal was seriously lacking in New York four years ago. I hope they are more prepared this time.
[ Parent ]
"I'm watching PBS" (0.00 / 0)
PBS is what it used to be, not for national political analysis at any rate. State and local politics is better. Even Lehrer isn't what he used to be. The first thing Obama should do is rid that important public resource of all remnants of the Bush era, especially Krauthammer. Why is he on my public TV station?  It is offensive. As bad as MSNBC is, that is the MSM I seem to watch most these days. I was shocked! Shocked, I tell you, to find out that Tweety was "a white guy".
great line from Klobuchar (0.00 / 0)
"Are you tired of the subprime leadership at the White House?"

As obvious as it is, I haven't heard anyone else use it that way.

Nothing! (4.00 / 1)
I'm watching the DNC on C-Span baby.  No pundits for me, thank you very much.

"Never be afraid to stand with the minority when the minority is right, for the minority which is right will one day be the majority." -William Jennings Bryan
Blogs/Daily Show (4.00 / 1)
I'm definitely eschewing cable news coverage of the convention for articles in the print media, on blogs and the Daily Show wrap-ups.  The brain rot induced by network coverage is simply too much to bear, particularly given the failure of the media to actually provide intelligent commentary, like say, side-by-side comparisons of the party platforms combined with fact-checking.  

With regard to college degrees, I would actually take issue, seeing as how most of the media types these days have degrees either in journalism or communications, two majors that I'm not really sure I would count as true "college" education.  While it might be a bit snobbish, I don't consider journalism or communication majors to be all that different from hospitality or fashion majors in the sense that all are more vocations than they are educations, and they aren't particularly intellectually serious.

I'm the sort of person who would rather hear my news from an expert on something (even if it's an unrelated field) rather than from an expert in communicating who has no real background in some sort of research or pursuit of knowledge.  

They never say that about Republicans, either (0.00 / 0)
Probably 99% of republican delegates have college degrees, and the place is white like rice.

People really seem to enjoy calling out perceived hypocrites more than obvious oppressors.  Why is that, I wonder?

[ Parent ]
it isn't like the process is cheap... (4.00 / 1)
...considering that you must attend local, district and state conventions in most states, in addition to the National Convention, all at your own expense.  You must commit to being available for all of these events in order to advance to the next level, in some cases that means missing several days of work, a luxury many American's just don't have.

This doesn't begin to discuss the selection process, in which hundreds are often whittled to a pair, one male, one female, by rule.

If there is a news story to be had here, it is the 18, 19, 20 and 21 year olds, participating in their first Presidential Election, as National Delegates.

[ Parent ]
Great points (0.00 / 0)
I doubt that most TV pundits have even a modicum of an idea who these people are or how they get to Denver.
[ Parent ]
Republicans attacks are more effective (4.00 / 1)
In all honesty, that's the brilliance of the Republican Party.  They are effectively able to enforce double standards against Democrats, and often make it the centerpiece of their campaigns.  Evil as it is, you have to admit, it's pure brilliance, and I think it stems from the simple reason that for most people, there is a level of moral decency where we decide that we can't go, even if it's advantageous.  The secret of modern Republican success is that they're willing to go there, frequently, and their messaging, their ability to maintain a constant refrain of attacks, to maintain an echo chamber of flacks, shills and hacks all driving the same, hypocritical message creates reality where there is none.  Furthermore, the simple and strident hypocrisy of their attacks dumbfounds liberals who prefer to attack problems by explaining, using nuance and facts, resulting in complex answers.  Because Democrats can't answer back with a simple, loud, ubiquitous "NO!," our explanations fail and the party looks weak.  
[ Parent ]
But it's not Republicans here (0.00 / 0)
It's PBS commentators, clucking at the wealthy educated-ness of the Democratic party, despite being wealthy and educated.

Maybe it's because they hate themselves for being wealthy and educated, so they take it out on others?

[ Parent ]
My rice is offended by the comparison (4.00 / 1)
Probably 99% of republican delegates have college degrees, and the place is white like rice.

I have white, brown, red, and black rice in my kitchen. And my rice is smarter, too, even though it may not have a college degree.  

"white like minute rice" - OK, that's the Republicans.  

War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength; McCain/Palin 2008

[ Parent ]
You might be a democrat if (0.00 / 0)
Your pantry is sensitive about its diversity.
[ Parent ]
Are they podcasting individual speeches? (0.00 / 0)
That would be awesome.
Watched the NBC evening news before going out (4.00 / 1)
Two thoughts:
1.  Little if any attention is being given to the nomination of the first african american by a major party.  At some point that narrative is going to change.  
2.  A delegate from Texas says the security in Denver is a little like a police state.  I am sure she was completely set-up, but geezzz....

"police state"... (0.00 / 0)
...in some cases will be out of the DNC's hands at the mercy of the Secret Service.

The RNC in New York 04 was noted by many to have been an overzealous security operation.

I dismissed it, because well, I expect security to very high.    You are talking about a building with one political parties highest ranking elected officials, top party officers, many of the strongest supporters nationally, in one building.

Crazy people, right, left, center and completely off-center see these things as an opportunity, be it media attention, radical/anarchical change, or agenda advancement.  What would be said if such an awful thing occurred, the pundits would be quick to blame the security providers, from Federal Officers to Convention Officials.  And none of that would matter, because something truly awful happened, making the blame irrelevant.

Of course the video I've seen shows people parading in streets, around the city, with extensive freedoms being demonstrated.  I see Delegates on the floor with crazy hats and signs and shirts, no stifling of free speech going on from this angle.

As the technology advances at the Conventions, I am caught pondering what happens if the MIT/CalTech fight were to spill out into the convention, with the many displays inside the Convention displaying "CalTech votes for losers" or "MIT <3 Ted Kennedy, CalTech Sucks".  

[ Parent ]
um, you dont know what your talking about (4.00 / 2)
Your buying into the common "its for our safety" excuse for not just over zealous policing, but in the case of RNC 2004 in NYC, down right illegal fascist policing. NYC is on its way now to shelling out millions in wrongful arrests and illegal detainment suits. Unfortunately not all the injustices can be over come with private lawsuits. I wish I had time to get into this more - but i have to eat dinner. Hunt me down some time and I'll explain to you just how insane 2004 in NYC was.  

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare
[ Parent ]
Earth, Wind and Fire! (0.00 / 0)

 I feel like I'm back in high school. Definitely NOT irritating!  

"We judge ourselves by our ideals; others by their actions. It is a great convenience." -- Howard Zinn

C-SPAN rocks! (0.00 / 0)
Awesome house band, and C-SPAN lets us watch all their grooves.

Anybody know the name of the 12- or 13-year-old female singer who was on just before some other singer did R-E-S-P-E-C-T?? I think she sang an Alicia Keyes song.

[ Parent ]
I've had MSNBC on (4.00 / 1)
and you'd think that the sole purpose of the convention was to disenfranchise the Clintons.  Every question they asked Nancy Pelosi & Charles Shumer was about the Clintons.

War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength; McCain/Palin 2008
Ann Curry on MSNBC has been driving me nuts (0.00 / 0)
Grabbed Pelosi right after her speech and asked her only questions about Hillary Clinton supposedly hating Obama.  It was ridiculous.  This would be a non-story if it weren't for the media's perpetuation of it.  Then Curry interviewed Jimmy Carter and again asked only questions about this supposed divide.  What about asking, oh, I don't know, about what Democrats plan to do if they control the country?  Guess that wouldn't be "news."
David Brooks On PBS Hits the He's Not One of Us Theme (4.00 / 1)
Attacking Nancy Pelosi's speech, David Brooks said that the policy positions of the candidates do not matter.  According to Brooks, what matters is whether Americans will feel comfortable with Obama.  Brooks, of course, picks up on the Republican swift boat theme, "Barack Obama Is Not One of Us."  It's nice to see ole Brooksie is right in lock step with the rest of the right wing noise machine.  

Republicans no longer want to run on the issues.  They are afraid of the issues because they know that most Americans do not agree with them on the issues.  So, all they have left is swift-boating the opposition.  

Brooks will likely stick with this swift-boating theme for the rest of the convention.  He will appear to be open-minded to viewers.  He will make it appear that the Democrats actually have an opportunity to convince David Brooks that they have convinced the mythical doubtful voter that he or she is now comfortable with Obama.  But there is no chance that Brooks will conclude at the end of the convention that Obama and the Democrats have made the voters comfortable with Obama.  Let's watch and see if I am right.  Let's see if Brooks is that predictable.  

He already called the Pelosi speech a failure for not doing this.  If one isn't comfortable with Obama at this point, was it really possible for one 10 minute speech from a third-party surrogate to change one's mind on this? Of course not, Brooks pretends it was possible and then rates Pelosi's speech a failure for doing so.  Oh David Brooks, you are an awfully tricky Republican.  

Brooks is on again and he gets to ask President Jimmy Carter one question and that one question is about Obama's race.  That fits in with the "he's not one of us theme."  Nice to see that Brooks is still on point for the Republicans.  Good ole Brooksie, at least he's dependable.  That set the whole tone.  Now Mark Shield, Jim Lehrer and Carter are still discussing the issue of race, but it's nice to hear Carter, a white Southerner discussing the issue with such intelligence and passion.  

Bloggers (0.00 / 0)
obsessing about the convention and not really offering that much more of any significance in coverage. hell, what is their to cover. its a two (three?) day political commercial.

the only interesting thing going on it seems to me is if the Clintons are still too bitter to be of help.

Michael Bloomberg, prince of corporate welfare

the commercials by T. Boone Pickens (0.00 / 0)

Irritating Convention Coverage Thread | 32 comments
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