The Death of the Fourth Estate

The comparison to Fox News is invalid because Bush didn't use Fox News to get one huge agenda item pushed through. And ABC is also giving airtime on Primetime, Nightline and GMA, so its pretty much a media blitz.

You are very naive if you really think this is a "President/citizen" discussion. Do you not know how this White House works? Of course you do.

And ABC is reportedlynot taking commericials that oppose the Obama plan during the broadcast. So your argument that this is not simply ABC being in the tank for Obama is patently false.

This is a program for engaged people who are interested in the debate.

Yeah!!!  LOL!!! I bet Charlie and Diane give Obama hell!

Why not? If it was not an outrage in 2006 when it was FOX and Bush, why is it an outrage now in the case of ABC and Obama?

A:  It's not an outrage.  I have seen enough American politics to not get enraged anymore, I just observe and report, bro.  The rage would be overwhelming if I derived it from what I see from both sides of the aisle day- to-day in DC.   What I was saying is that Fox was not promoting or clearing the way for a certain policy push.  They may have been smooching up to the Bush Admin though.  The difference is what is at stake.  The policy they are openly promoting in the form of an infomercial a la ABC's current Obama healthcare special will have huge ramifications for our country both economically and socially.  It deserves open debate but not a one-sided infomercial.  Big difference between the two instances of media brown nosing.  I don't remember any network news station ever having anything like this for any of Bush's major policy pushes -- medicare, iraq, no child left behind.  I'm not saying they were of equal importance, I am just saying that they have been treated differently which could show a bias.

First off, the "entire national programming time" adds up to one hour. Not the whole evening, just one hour. An hour in their schedule that is always, as far as I know, devoted to news/current events (it is in 20/20's times slot.)

Secondly, regarding the "debatable political agenda" - I believe that is the entire point. Health care is one of if not the top domesitic issues on the agenda. And the program is going to consist of him answering questions from citizens. What is so incredibly outrageous about that? As for the "journalism" remark - I would think you'd be interested in listening to the President/citizen discussion WITHOUT the filter of a reporter or editor or TV talking head telling you what was said and what you should think about it.

A.  Are we really discussing or debating time slots?  This is irrelavant.  I will give you this one, since you know more about ABC's current program line than I.   Second, you talk about filters.  Filters from talking heads?  Are you serious?  This is exactly what this is!  The questions are filtered and the citizens who pose questions are obviously filtered.  That way it will fit in your 1 hour time slot.  This is a weak argument.  I am interested in hearing the President answer questions, but I will not sit through tee-ball practice and it still doesn't make me feel any better about ABC doing this in the first place. 

Again, all you are doing is saying it was OK when it was FOX and Bush (and their pet "devisive issues"), but it is tragedy when it is ABC and Obama. I'm tempted to ask you to explain why, but there is an even more fundamental question here: why on earth do you think that the President taking questions from your fellow citizens about one of our top domestic issues is not newsworthy??

A.  We already went over this.  I am not opposed to a president taking questions from fellow citizens.  I disapprove of the allowed forum because it is a filtered promotion, not a town hall meeting. 

For the third time: he is taking questions from citizens. You have completely mischaracterized it - it is the opposite of telling people to think. Do you think lazy people are going to tune in for an hour of wonkery on healthcare? No way. This is a program for engaged people who are interested in the debate.

And, in conclusion - aren't you even just a little bit glad that you've finally got a President who isn't afraid to take questions on camera from your fellow citizens?? For an hour??? Or does it just piss you off that the "teleprompter" meme seems to be fading away?

A.  Lazy people watch a lot of TV.  They especially watch a lot of TV during the hours that ABC is running this special.  There is a method to ABC's madness.  ABC is obviously trying to get beyond the wonks.  The wonks already know all about this agenda because they are wonks.  This is aimed specifically at the common, undecided voter at a time that would most appeal to that voter and in a setting and method unseen before on the political landscape.  You were an Obama voter, so you obviously know the power of limited information spiced up for the average joe complete in a 1 hour cookie cut package.   I'm not saying its not genius (which it is -- Obama's handlers are outstanding at utilizing the media), it's just a shame that ABC would throw its journalistic integrity out the window to fall in line.  I'm no Bush fan but Bush took many questions, he was just never offered the forum that Obama is being catered currently.  Lastly, stop the teleprompter dig.  It never was a good insult and it isnt a good reverse insult.  Teleprompters make the world go round.   I think that maybe the right hangs on to that dig because it promotes Obama as an empty suit or an entertainment figure.  Its all bull, from both sides.  I think we are better off not stooping down to 08 election rhetoric.  Teleprompters kick arse when the media and your enemies are hanging on your every word....

If you want me to go away, all you have to do is back up your big talk with action and accept my wager. Your failure to do so makes you look all hat no cattle - like a certain other Texan.