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Now that the major party conventions have been reduced to media events, the media are no longer interested. I'm thinking there's a message in there, somewhere. Once upon a time, the three networks all provided gavel-to-gavel coverage, suggesting that these were important events, which everyone should watch. In fact, they didn't leave you much choice. Old timers wax nostalgic about smoke filled rooms, public floor fights, and the days when things were actually decided at the conventions. Now it's all scripted in advance, and the networks treat the conventions like unpaid advertising, which is pretty much what they are. I guess PBS and cable will give you more coverage, if you really want it, but the Arianna Huffington fronted Shadow Conventions look to provide a more promising podium.
- alex 7-28-2000 6:36 pm [link] [1 comment]