Here's what I sent them:
The debate tonight was disgraceful. America needs substantial debate, not the gotcha politics that we got tonight from George Stephanopoulos and Charlie Gibson. I watch ABC because I trust ABC, but this "debate" was painful to watch. I wanted to see their plans for this country, not how they'd respond to manufactured crap. Your job is to add to the debate, not bring it into the gutter. Y'all can do better and your viewers including myself deserve an apology.
Call ABC @ (212) 456-7777 for a live person.
Call ABC @ (818) 460-7477 to leave a message. (This is full I think so use the other number).
Our news outlets are supposed to perform a public service ESPECIALLY those broadcast stations. Really ABC, Come on!
The Link
ReplyDeleteClinton-Obama Debate: ABC Decides Top Issues Facing Americans Are Verbal Gaffes, Flag Pins and '60s Radicals
By Greg Mitchell
Published: April 16, 2008 10:15 PM ET
NEW YORK In perhaps the most embarrassing performance by the media in a major presidential debate in years, ABC News hosts Charles Gibson and George Stephanopolous focused mainly on trivial issues as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in Philadelphia.
Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the health care and mortgage crises, the overall state of the economy and dozens of other pressing issues had to wait for their few moments in the sun as Obama was pressed to explain his recent "bitter" gaffe and relationship with Rev. Wright (seemingly a dead issue) and not wearing a flag pin while Clinton had to answer again for her Bosnia trip exaggerations.
Then it was back to Obama to defend his slim association with a former '60s radical -- a question that came out of rightwing talk radio and Sean Hannity on TV, but delivered by former Bill Clinton aide Stephanopolous. This approach led to a claim that Clinton's husband pardoned two other '60s radicals. And so on.
More time was spent on all of this than segments on getting out of Iraq and keeping people from losing their homes and other key issues. Gibson only got excited when he complained about anyone daring to raise taxes on his capital gains.
Yet neither candidate had the courage to ask the moderators to turn to those far more important issues. But some in the crowd did -- booing Gibson as he exited.
Greg Mitchell (gmitchell@editorandpublishes.com) is author of the new book, "So Wrong for So Long: How the Press, the Pundits -- and the President -- Failed on Iraq."
E-mail here if you can't get through:
ReplyDeletefeedback@abcnews.go.com
Weepy,
ReplyDeleteI promise I'm not picking a fight. I didn't watch the debate. What happened? The Greg Mitchell article seems like an Obama apology, and I find his argument- discussing things that are currently on the front page even though there are more important things to discuss as well - weak. There are always more important things to discuss, poverty, hunger, etc.
Are the Obama folks upset, or both Hillary and Obama?
Again, not arguing this one, I'm just curious. Mitchell's article reminds me of the kind of thing republicans say about the media all the time.
I stopped taking ABC seriously a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteThe point is not who scored more hits on the gotcha questions, but rather why are we debating this garbage when there are real issues that need addressing.
ReplyDeleteSupporters of both found it to be crap.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0DtMZgUCeY
ReplyDelete