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Sunday Roundup
posted at 2008-04-20 11:27 | Last modified 2008-04-20 13:32
For the past few days, most of the media coverage of the campaign has been focused on – wait for it – the media. Specifically, ABC’s Wednesday night Dem debacle.
- Editor and Publisher editor Greg Mitchell called it “perhaps the most embarrassing performance by the media in a major presidential debate in years.”
- NYT columnist Frank Rich says the public outcry about the debate was a clear signal of “the larger national discontent with news media fatuousness.”
- Meantime, debate co-moderator George Stephanopoulos tried to counter the haters with three journalists (two from his own network) who said it wasn’t all that bad. His show this morning featured George Will, Cokie Roberts, and Sam Donaldson at a roundtable that felt more like an ABC support group.
In the wake of the debacle, Clinton and Obama eased off on attacking each other Friday, but the hiatus was a brief one. By Saturday, the AP’s Beth Fouhy reports both candidates were back on the attack with renewed vigor.
Meanwhile, Clinton has a new problem to deal with – an audio recording obtained by the Huffington Post in which she blames MoveOn.org and party activists for her early primary losses. Celeste Fremon has the scratchy audio here.
This tape probably won’t become as big a story as Obama’s comments about bitter voters. The majority of the folks she’s offending here already support her rival, and it’s a pretty clear case of sour grapes, to boot. But it might be relevant to her odds of winning the general. Clinton’s said many times (in public anyway) that the party base will unite behind whoever wins the nomination. Comments like these make you wonder if she really believes that.
The NYT reports Hillary could be facing trouble among her friends, as well. Mark Leibowitz checks out growing fatigue within the ranks of Clinton supporters. And Michael Luo says she’s running into trouble raising money, too.
Not necessarily the news
In the spirit of full disclosure, I admit I’m a big fan of Stephen Colbert, but I have to say it’s pretty sad when the Colbert Report does a better job of presenting the candidates than ABC. If you missed Thursday night’s show, Comedy Central has clips here – and whatever you do, don’t miss John Edwards’ hilarious turn on “The Word.” Please, somebody, get the man a jet ski already.
Want more? Obama’s back on Colbert again Monday night. Set your TiVo.
Here in NC
The four GOP contenders for governor met again on stage Friday in Greensboro at the Conservative Leadership Conference. Debate sponsor Civitas had promoted it as a format-free cage match, but Greensboro’s Mark Binker reports it was “less steel and more magnolia.” His excellent recap is here.
Wilmington’s Vicky Eckenrode reports both Moore and Perdue no-showed for Thursday’s gubernatorial debate at Cape Fear CC.
Jack Betts wonders why Dems at various levels seem so darned reluctant to debate in NC.
Quick hits:
- Char-O’s editorial board started rolling out its endorsements today, calling Elizabeth Dole and Kay Hagan the “clear choices” for the US Senate race.
- So much for that “victory lap”: Governor Mike Easley sat down for a wide-ranging conversation with Greensboro’s Mark Binker.
- Rob Christensen compares Obama’s political prospects in NC to those of former Senate candidate Harvey Gantt.
Comments? Drop me a line.
