Candidates Unplugged
TOMPAINE.com provides this interesting behind-the-scenes report:
After the show, I watched in the Spin Room (no one questions any more why these press gaggles are formally labeled as such) as a CNN reporter stood on a riser and interviewed media biggie Joe Klein, who offered his instant analysis. “The candidates had nothing new to say on the most important issue, the war with Iraq.” Oddly, I thought I had heard something new: long-shot progressive Kucinich connecting the billions he'd save getting out of Iraq now and trimming the bloated military budget to his plans for creating jobs, universal pre-K and universal tuition free college educations - themes that obviously connected with the studio audience.
A Kucinich supporter standing near me called up to Klein, asking if he would interview the congressman. "Not in this lifetime," Klein sneered. "Life is too short." This provocative act of media condescension was too much for the Kucinich spin team, and soon they had managed to corner Klein once he climbed down from his perch. "I have absolutely no say on who gets on that podium," he sputtered to a visibly annoyed Kucinich, as if his earlier comment was only about denying him a shot on CNN. The excuse didn't fly, and soon I watched in wonder as the journalist wrenched himself away from the candidate, the opposite of the usual dance.
Subscribe to this blog's feed