Compare and contrast these two headlines on octogenarian NewsCorp chief Rupert Murdoch’s testimony yesterday in front of panel investigating press ethics at his and other British papers: Murdoch, Center Stage, Plays Powerless Broker vs. Murdoch Bats Away ‘Myths’
Media
Even if they can get a little preachy, I’m not one easily bothered by politicians critiquing the media. We write about them all the time–sometimes preachily–and as the principles in a whole bunch of news stories, their perspectives are worth something. But just as when pundits mouth off about politics, it would help press-critic politicians [...]
Before she was a guest host on this morning’s Today show – 45 minutes before – Sarah Palin was a guest, joining Matt Lauer on the morning of three Republican primaries, to offer “her take on the race.” Toward the end of the interview, Lauer asked his soon-to-be temporary partner a pointed question: Should the [...]
In the 2012 campaign for president, the news cycle has been replaced by the gaffe cycle. Back in the day, and even four years ago, certain signature events all but guaranteed a full 24-hours of political press coverage. Win a primary campaign, dominate a televised debate, announce a major endorsement or deliver a policy address, [...]
Andrew Breitbart’s last big appearance in Washington took place a few weeks ago, outside a Marriott hotel where conservative activists had gathered. Protesters from the local Occupy movement were laying siege in the parking lot, and Breitbart started to scream at them. “Behave yourself,” he began, before moving on to more incendiary language. “You are [...]
In the first umpteen Republican debates of this primary season, the crowds watching had as much of an active role as the participants, driving the energy of the debates and sometimes the day-after discussion. Whether it was booing a gay soldier or cheering the death penalty or going hog-wild over Newt Gingrich’s lambasting of CNN’s [...]
I’ve never been to Charleston, S.C., but I’m pretty sure that, for this afternoon at least, Randolph Hall at the College of Charleston was located at the intersection of Reality and Satire. There it was that Stephen Colbert and Herman Cain, unlikely ballotfellows, held a funny, serious and seriously funny rally to promote Colbert’s bid to [...]
Remember that narrow, 8-vote win Mitt Romney scored in the Iowa caucuses? The one that launched him on a 2-for-2 run in the first two GOP contests, building his momentum and underscoring his case as the inevitable nominee? Turns out it didn’t happen. The final certified count in Iowa shows that it was indeed a [...]
Stephen Colbert is laughing at the U.S. Supreme Court. He started Thursday night on his show, when he transferred control of his super PAC to his mentor, business partner and friend Jon Stewart. Here is the clip: It’s a great set piece of comedic theater underscored by a serious argument: Justice Anthony Kennedy, joined by [...]
Eight people in Iowa are the most important figures in American politics this morning, and I don’t mean the ones who are running for President. The eight folks who provided Mitt Romney’s margin of victory in the Iowa caucus—apparently in somewhere Clinton County (above)—may not have settled the Republican race, but they made for a late, suspenseful night [...]
