This morning, at 11:35am EST, I'm scheduled to be on MSNBC. I was told it would be discussing the news of the day with a conservative blogger.
When I just called to find out what that news might be, they indicated it would be this piece in Politico by Ari Melber:
Barack Obama's reality-show presidency
We are now living through the first reality-show presidency.
The trends began in the early 1990s, with 24-hour cable news and reality programming, and intensified in the past few years, with the rise of celebrity culture and micro-broadcasting technology.
This is the first administration
, however, to fuse iterative, real-time lifestyle coverage with the star power of a true celebrity politician. The White House is deftly serving the huge public and media interest in President Barack Obama, not only as a leader and celebrity but also as a character in a fascinating story far beyond politics.
So far, it is working.
...This week, for example, while many wonks debated Obama's health care objectives, the media had other goals in mind. "It's the Weekend, So Obama Becomes a Soccer Dad," blared an AP headline, detailing Obama's cameo as soccer fan at his daughter's games. "At one point, after [his daughter's] team scored, the president shouted excitedly, 'Go ... go ... go ... goal,'" the article recounted. Television news programs also picked up the scene, playing loops of Obama, clad in a White Sox jacket, cheering on the sidelines.
As MoveOn's former media-issues campaigner, I definitely have some thoughts on where I'd take a conversation about the content in this piece. But, I'm curious, what points would you make?
This is how Democratic flacks should behave. Great job, Ari Melber, in taking apart a Republican and getting him flustered.
And this ad from Defenders of Wildlife is great. Sarah Palin is the People magazine candidate, she can only be taken down by something like cruelty to animals.
Finally, here's LesMisbarack, a cute video. Campaign workers have to blow off steam somehow.
STATE BLOGS
