TV's biggest mistakes in 2008 election coverage

One day before this nearly two-year presidential campaign ends, I thought it made sense to go back and look at some of the biggest mistakes TV outlets made while covering it all.

Depending on your perspective and stamina, this could be a really long list. But I tried to whittle it down to the most egregious sins, culled mostly from a look back at my own blog for the past year or so. Please feel free to throw up your own ideas, if you find my tally missed something.

Debate moderators -- CBS's Bob Schieffer pulled it out at the end. But the three presidential debates (and one vice presidential contest) held in October mostly proved that the candidates control these interactions more than the hosts who ostensibly lead them. PBS's Jim Lehrer spent much of his time begging Barack Obama and John McCain to address each other, while Tom Brokaw had to corral a wandering McCain and give up much of his time to questions from the public. By the time McCain and Obama decided to take each other on more directly, Schieffer got the credit for shepherding the best throw-down. Time for a more diverse panel of questioners, publicizing of the full set of rules, and a firm hand from organizers to produce an actual debate.

MSNBC anchor squabbles -- Once it became obvious Hillary Clinton's supporters weren't going to revolt en masse during the Democratic National Convention, this became the second-biggest story of the event -- as MSNBC anchors Joe Scarborough, Chris Mathews and Keith Olbermann bounced off each other like petulant third-graders hyped on too much Halloween candy. It cemented MSNBC's reputation as a ego-driven boys club and  raised questions about its Olbermann-led turn to the left.

Fox's 'terrorist fist-jab' and similar moments -- Fox News anchor E.D. Hill has since apologized, saying she was quoting other media outlets. But in introducing a segment dissecting how Barack Obama fist-bumped his wife just before a speech acknowledging his win of the Democratic nomination, she suggested the move could be viewed as a "terrorist fist jab." The comment was a perfect distillation of the fear tactics and alienation strategies often used by Fox in discussing Obama's candidacy -- from creating an army of working-class pundits to criticize the Democrat (Joe the Plumber begat Tito the Builder and at least one other guy) to featuring pundit Ann Coulter comparing Obama to Hitler. Seriously.

MSNBC's sexism problem -- When the Women's Media Center gathered together clips of sexist comment made during political coverage, MSNBC and Fox News owned most of the moments. Given Fox's long history of tough punditry on Hillary Clinton, their status wasn't a surprise (a previous version of this post said Fox opposed Clinton, but a channel spokesperson has pointed out Clinton has praised the channel's coverage).

But MSNBC's boys club managed some uncomfortable moments, too -- including Chris Matthews asserting Clinton wouldn't have even been a senator if her husband hadn't cheated with Monica Lewinsky, and anchor David Shuster wondering if the Clintons' hadn't "pimped out" daughter Chelsea Clinton in getting her to hit the campaign trail. 

Hillary Clinton's cleavage coverage and the focus on minutiae -- Some stories may seem simple, but are not. For example, coverage of Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe seems more about assessing whether the candidate's actions match her humble words. But there is little doubt that some coverage, fueled in part by cable TV's need to fill news channels with fresh content every day, has focused on some seriously off-the-wall stuff. Hillary Clinton showing cleavage during a speech? Barack Obama wearing a flag pin (or not)? John McCain owning two foriegn cars? Is this really the stuff of which voting decisions are made? And how can we tell whether the foucs on this stuff by some outlets simply feeds public demand for more?

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Comments

[RagsTTIger]

The debates were indeed a waste of time, boring. Obama wimped out by being unwilling to participate in a series of Town Meetings. All talk. "I'll meet him any time, any place, any where," pure puffery.

The fist bump incident was way over played. If I recall E.D. Hill had a special documentary airing on Terrorism, that was being promoted. An off hand ad-lib toss to a commercial is hardly worth discussing and was never repeated. I am surprised that well known germaphobe Howie Mandell wasn't interviewed, being an exponent of the fist bump.

MSNBC's consistent attacks and meltdowns by Olberman/Mathews are an insult to the broadcasting industry.

The great clothing debate was just another Palin attack. Why any of these attacks had any traction is a wonder. Go after her policies fine, attack her children and family, unconscionable. To repeat the censorship charges despite the fact they false is, in reality, just the media passing gossip. The clothes were not purchased by her. They were worn to official events. When worn, depending on the agreements, were returned, sold, given to charity and so on. Where was the outrage over Obama's columns and non essential costs his campaign?

Since sexism was so prevalent, Palin is a perfect example of being a super woman, the one all women wanted to be like in the 60s, exemplified by the Helen Reddy song. A working mother, college educated, bright, athletic, attractive with a strong moral character, yet Campbell Brown's first concern, having a Downes Syndrome son affecting her ability to conduct the responsibilities of her office. Now, as the fates intercede, we learn that Campbell is again pregnant. Brown didn't leave her profession the first time she was pregnant. She even took a long maternity leave before returning. Palin delivered her son and days later she was back at work in the Governor's office doing her job. A big difference not noted elsewhere.

Ann Coulter is a lightening rod, no doubt. Bright, but too often her own worst enemy. Abuse of power is a legitimate issue that was never properly addressed. Poor Joe the Plumber, just an average guy. He asked a question that started to unravel Obama's ball of string. Instead of addressing the issue, the Democratic slime machine went into high gear, attacking him. They used personnel in public offices to illegally access private records and "leaking them". A disgrace.

A few areas were given little if any attention by the press. Fraudulent voting registration and abuses. ACORN, and Obama's relationship to the organization, surfaced late in the campaign and was poorly followed up, despite knowledge of the issue years earlier.

The plight of the U.S. military personnel whose votes were voided by the stupidity of local voting officials. This is an insult to the men and women who defend our country, and to the memories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, so that we could vote. Totally unacceptable.

Everyone wants a fair voting system. All any citizen wants is a level playing field upon which the candidates can play. What people resent is when the playing field is altered in every way. The Pew Research report clearly shows the bias in the media. I carry this concept one step further to shows like Oprah, Ellen, sitcoms, all of the entertainment news strips and others that hammer home their own personal political agendas, instead of entertaining. Shows like Saturday Night Live, the Daily Shows and others, of that genre, are wide open, as parody humor is what is expected and people tune in for. You know what you are going to get, not a bait-and-switch experience.

I would like to see more reporting on the truthfulness of political statements. While this has been done to a limited degree, I would like to see more emphasis on this.

Character issues of Democrats don't seem to get the same play, Senator Edwards, Gov Spitzer, Fla Congressman Tim Mahoney or Congressman William Jefferson, all basically swept under the rug. When Mahoney's predecessor Foley, a Republican, got nailed, this essentially swung elections all across the country, as people were so rightfully indignant.

News Departments have no right to cite Blogs, as a sole accurate source of information. Blogs are a part of the new media wave. They are important and of value for noting trends from the responses posted. Reader feedback is important. So is proper management to assure that discussions, stay on topic and are not forums for personal or unsubstantiated attacks.

Lots to reflect upon. Sgt Joe Fiday had it right, "just the facts ma'am, just the facts."