Sunday, January 14, 2007
Sunday Talk Shows Scoreboard for January 14
Notes on the Shows (Jan. 14): Considering the significant events of the week, the shows had relatively little new to offer, continuing a trend towards total insignificance. Naturally, Stephen Hadley had little new to offer - as did VP Cheney - beyond a selling of the President's plan for escalation.
A couple of Cheney's quotes should be challenged, however, especially, that the plan "...was embraced by [Generals] Abizaid and Casey," and "We consulted with over 120 members of Congress."
The VP should be reminded that consultation is a far different matter than dictation, which is more along the lines of what the administration did on the troop surge plan.
The most absurd line of the week goes to William Kristol, who said on FOX News, "I think the American people would like to see reinforcements sent to win the war." Obviously, Mr. Kristol is reading poll data upside down.
Overall, the non-progressives won the week on the talk shows handily. The big debate will come within weeks and months in the Congress, with votes on, first, a non-binding resolution, then on $6 billion in funding for the troop surge, and later on appropriations for the overall war effort for fiscal 2008 (beginning in September 2007), estimated at between $100 and $160 billion. There should be ample time for debate and resolution. In the meantime, it's plain and evident that the American people are being ignored and short-changed and the military is slowly being ground down by a losing strategy and no clear plan for either victory or withdrawal.
January 14 Sunday Talk Shows Scorecard
Week 10 - January 14
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
A couple of Cheney's quotes should be challenged, however, especially, that the plan "...was embraced by [Generals] Abizaid and Casey," and "We consulted with over 120 members of Congress."
The VP should be reminded that consultation is a far different matter than dictation, which is more along the lines of what the administration did on the troop surge plan.
The most absurd line of the week goes to William Kristol, who said on FOX News, "I think the American people would like to see reinforcements sent to win the war." Obviously, Mr. Kristol is reading poll data upside down.
Overall, the non-progressives won the week on the talk shows handily. The big debate will come within weeks and months in the Congress, with votes on, first, a non-binding resolution, then on $6 billion in funding for the troop surge, and later on appropriations for the overall war effort for fiscal 2008 (beginning in September 2007), estimated at between $100 and $160 billion. There should be ample time for debate and resolution. In the meantime, it's plain and evident that the American people are being ignored and short-changed and the military is slowly being ground down by a losing strategy and no clear plan for either victory or withdrawal.
January 14 Sunday Talk Shows Scorecard
Week 10 - January 14
| Show | Guests | Score | WeeKTotal | Cum. Total* | Cum. %** |
| Meet the Press (NBC) | National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley, Senators Christopher Dodd (D), Joe Lieberman (D-I), Chuck Hagel (R), John Kyl (R) | 2 | 2-5 | 8-27 | 29.63 |
| Fox News Sunday (FOX) | VP Dick Cheney | 0 | 0-1 | 11-27 | 40.74 |
| This Week (ABC) | Stephen Hadley, Rep., John Murtha (D), Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) | 1 | 1-3 | 15-29 | 51.72 |
| Face the Nation (CBS) | Senators Barak Obama (D), John McCain (R) | 1 | 1-2 | 8-20 | 40.00 |
| Total for week, all shows (10 weeks) | all guests | 4 | 4-11 | 42-103 | 40.78 |
*Total of progressive/Democrat guests to total # of guests.
**Total percentage of shows beginning with Sunday, November 12.
Chart updated weekly each Sunday.
How well are the Sunday News Talk shows presenting the progressive/Democratic point-of-view?
We look at the guests each show offers and award them a point for every one that is either an elected Democrat or shares the values of the progressive left and a zero for every one that does not. Generally, Democratic party guests get a 1; Republicans and all others, a zero.
Labels: Dick Cheney, FOX News Sunday, Iraq, William Kristol
