Media tells Bush/Kerry to go fuck themselves

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2004-09-29 12:53am

CNN wrote:(CNN) -- Although the Bush and Kerry camps have meticulously crafted an agreement on the rules for this year's presidential debates, the television networks broadcasting them refuse to go along with the plans.

Specifically, the networks object to provisions in the agreement that place limits on their cameras, including prohibitions on shots of one candidate while the other is answering questions.

"Because of journalistic standards, we're not going to follow outside restrictions," said Paul Schur, a spokesman for Fox News, which is manning the pool camera for the first debate Thursday in Miami, Florida.

"This is a news pool, and we are not subject to agreements between candidates," NBC News spokeswoman Barbara Levin said. "We will use pictures as we see fit."

CNN spokesman Matthew Furman said the network "reserves the right to make our own decisions about coverage during the debate, just as we always have."

ABC News and CBS News are also objecting to the limits, with a CBS spokeswoman insisting that "we will utilize any shots the pool makes available."

Also, at least two of the television journalists chosen to moderate the debates -- ABC's Charles Gibson and CBS's Bob Schieffer -- have not signed the agreement on ground rules hammered out between the two campaigns, according to their networks.

The other two moderators are Gwen Ifill and Jim Lehrer, both of PBS, which has not yet commented.

Under terms of the agreement reached last week between the Bush and Kerry campaigns after lengthy negotiations, moderators who refuse to sign the document can be replaced.

The 32-page agreement sets out the rules for the debates with great specificity, down to details such as the temperature of the hall, what kind of paper can be used to take notes and who can stand in the wings.

Monday, the Commission on Presidential Debates, the independent group that plays host to the debates, said it would agree to enforce the rules reached in the agreement between the Bush and Kerry campaigns and that there "will be no departure from the terms" unless there is "prior consultation with, and approval by, the appropriate campaign representatives."

However, the commission did not formally sign the agreement, and its co-chairman, Frank Fahrenkopf, told The New York Times that the restrictions on what the networks can show are unenforceable.

"We don't control the feed, so we don't know what the networks are going to show," said Fahrenkopf, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee. "That's not within our purview."

The New York Times also reported that the commission may balk at a provision in the agreement setting out the make-up of the audience for the town hall debate between Bush and Kerry on October 8 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The campaigns agreed that the audience would be divided between people leaning toward Bush and those leaning toward Kerry. The debate commission wants the hall full of undecided voters in neither camp.

Under terms of their agreement, either the Bush or Kerry campaigns could opt out of the debates, or seek another sponsor, if the commission does not sign on to their terms. There is no indication either camp is contemplating such a move.

The document does not address what might happen if the television networks refuse to abide by the rules.

Responding to the media's recalcitrance, Kerry campaign spokeswoman Christine Anderson said "every time you have something like this, there are going to be small details to be worked out. They are being worked out."

The Bush campaign declined to comment directly on the networks' objections. However, spokesman Scott Stanzel described the president's camp as "looking forward to all of the debates."

"We are pleased the commission said they would follow the terms of the agreement of the campaigns," he said.

The debate commission has not commented on the media's objections to the rules

Fascinating, I didn't know the media had the balls to do something like this anymore. Bravo, these 30 page rulebooks for the debates are frankly fucking ridiculous.

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-09-29 12:57am

Bush needs strict rules and guidelines to function normally like any special needs child.

Aside from that yay to the media. I wholeheartedly agree with the commission that the place should be full of undecided voters but if it makes Bush feel better they can sign oaths of loyalty when they come in.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-09-29 01:03am

About fucking time. Where the hell have they been?

Lonestar · Post by **Lonestar** » 2004-09-29 01:29am

Pretty much repeating the comments already said.

You know that things are bad when Fox is telling the canidates "Bite me".

dr. what · Post by **dr. what** » 2004-09-29 11:46am

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Lindar · Post by **Lindar** » 2004-10-01 01:46pm

I didn't know about this! It's definitly something refreshing, at least from where I'm looking at it. (even though I didn't watch the debate)

The Media Rules (as long as we let it)

ReinnResauq · Post by **ReinnResauq** » 2004-10-01 01:49pm

That is so great. After three damn years of bowing to every wish and whim of the Bush administration, afraid of using it's massive power, the media finally says no. Best news I've heard all day.

Sam Or I · Post by **Sam Or I** » 2004-10-01 03:04pm

ReinnResauq wrote:That is so great. After three damn years of bowing to every wish and whim of the Bush administration, afraid of using it's massive power, the media finally says no. Best news I've heard all day.

Or, or, or, another wild theory, maybe they have not been bowing down all these years, and everything is the same.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2004-10-01 03:34pm

Think Bush's stranglehold is starting to crack? I think so....

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » 2004-10-01 04:14pm

Umm. The media is going against Bush and Kerry on this. Alot of you seem to be saying, " Haha George Bush they're not taking your shit anymore", when the entire situation is the idea of both assho--, sorry I mean candidates.

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2004-10-01 04:24pm

Melkor wrote:Umm. The media is going against Bush and Kerry on this. Alot of you seem to be saying, " Haha George Bush they're not taking your shit anymore", when the entire situation is the idea of both assho--, sorry I mean candidates.

Well, this played right into Kerry's hands, so it really is more of a fuck-you to Bush.

I saw the debate on NBC, where they showed the candidates side by side most of the time, and it made Bush look genuinely retarded. Whenever Kerry was speaking, Bush looked confused, angry or scowling like he had to go to the bathroom. Kerry was composed, classy, dignified and presidential--leaderly, too, since you could clearly see that Bush decided to follow Kerry's lead on the note-taking gestures.

The media's decision was almost taylor-made to benefit the Kerry campaign. The left-wing, sensationalist Jew-run media strikes again!

Melkor · Post by **Melkor** » 2004-10-01 04:53pm

Bob the Gunslinger wrote:
Melkor wrote:Umm. The media is going against Bush and Kerry on this. Alot of you seem to be saying, " Haha George Bush they're not taking your shit anymore", when the entire situation is the idea of both assho--, sorry I mean candidates.
Well, this played right into Kerry's hands, so it really is more of a fuck-you to Bush.

I saw the debate on NBC, where they showed the candidates side by side most of the time, and it made Bush look genuinely retarded. Whenever Kerry was speaking, Bush looked confused, angry or scowling like he had to go to the bathroom. Kerry was composed, classy, dignified and presidential--leaderly, too, since you could clearly see that Bush decided to follow Kerry's lead on the note-taking gestures.

The media's decision was almost taylor-made to benefit the Kerry campaign. The left-wing, sensationalist Jew-run media strikes again!

Oh, I see what they meant. I take back what I said.

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2004-10-01 05:37pm

So poor Shrubby can't compete on a level playing field? Oops!

ADAPT OR FIND A DAY JOB, JAWJDUBYABUSH!