There’s a kind of right-wing media criticism we’ve often called “working the refs.” The point is not to make complaints with a basis in reality; rather, the hope is that by complaining that your “side” isn’t getting a fair shake, someone in the media will want to avoid further scolding and so next time cut you break.
It works. In fact, it worked so well for Newt Gingrich that he got a TV show out of it–courtesy of CNN.
The cable news network is rebooting the debate show Crossfire next month, and the New York Times (8/23/13) makes clear that the star of the show is Gingrich. The Times recalls Gingrich’s success in attacking the moderators in last year’s Republican presidential debates, and his performance apparently impressed CNN president Jeff Zucker:
It was all quite calculated. “Particularly in a Republican primary, taking on the media immediately resonated with almost half the primary voters,” Mr. Gingrich said.
That is a section of voters that CNN is eager to engage. During an onstage interview at the Brainstorm TECH conference in July, Mr. Zucker said: “Newt is an incredibly smart, intellectual thinker. I think, frankly, one of the criticisms of CNN that it didn’t have enough conservative points of view on the air was probably a valid criticism.“
And what better way to show you care about ideological diversity than by hiring the guy who attacked one of your own reporters for asking him a question he didn’t like?
In reality, CNN has had plenty of conservatives on the air before they added Gingrich. At the time of Gingrich’s “valid criticism,” CNN had already added arch-conservative pundits Erick Erickson and Dana Loesch to their line-up. (Among Erickson’s contributions to the public debate, his observation that “feminazis” were “too ugly to get a date.”) CNN had long time conservative commentators Mary Matalin and former George W. Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer. Former Bush Homeland Security official Fran Townsend is a regular on the network’s programming. And on and on.
Make no mistake, the Times story tells us: Crossfire is a debate show, but the “marquee attraction” is Newt Gingrich. And he got the gig by making the boss think that there weren’t enough people like him on television. That’s not true, but corporate media have always had a soft spot for accommodating right-wing complaining.
“And he got the gig by making the boss think that there weren’t enough people like him on television.”
Well, no …
He got it because Zucker wants the hateful hordes who adore him to watch the program, and buy the advertisers’ products.
Certainly “balance” (meaning listing further to starboard) plays a role here
But it appears the main motivation has more to do with the balance sheet, don’t you think?
LOL at intellectual thinker. He’s a dilettante at best and a charlatan at worst
A fraud, to be sure. Gingrich has always been mightily impressed by his own reflection.
It’s a sad commentary on the state of education in the US that Newtie has a role more influential than custodian. The poor guy can’t think himself out of a wet paper bag. He’ s a walking argument against the kind of affirmative action that gives nutjobs like him a job paying more than minimum wage.
@Matthew. You’re right on. Gingrich uses inverse deductive logic – that is, he states the conclusions he wants you to accept and then fabricates the premises to support them. A real historian is dispassionate about the facts to tell the true story (as far as possible). Newt likes to select the facts he likes to tell the story as he believes ought to be. There’s nothing scholarly about that. Socrates would call him a Sophist.
Most of these so called journalist in the debates tend to “charge” the person on the right with something- then request he defend it.That is not an unbiased question.This little maneuver was noticeably absent when speaking to the left.Remember George Stephanopoulos…”republicans are in a war against woman”.Yet not a word on- “Dems are in a war against unborn babies”Remember Biden charging Ryan, then interrupting his every attempt to answer the charge?Or just manically laughing as Ryan did so?Newt simply pointed out one of the dirty little tricks being played by a left leaning compliant press.
Betcha they won’t have Jon Stewart on again, though!
CNN is as big a joke as Fox News. Fox does the bidding of the Republicans, CNN does the same for the Democrat side of the aisle. Both are press stenos for the empire; they turn out propaganda to keep the public misinformed and ignorant. Whether Crossfire hired Newt or Bill Clinton, the result would be the same – keeping viewers clueless and misinformed on the who/why/what of issues.
Whatever Jeff Zucker is getting paid, it’s more than he’s worth. Not an original idea in his head. CNN had an adult news program in the 6-9am slot with John Berman and Zoraida(?sorry). All they needed was an updated set. But Zucker sends in Chris Cuomo and company and duplicates Today and GMA. More (and mere) fluff. Now the resurrection of Crossfire which was an embarrassment in its first incarnation. And too much of the annoying voice and punchless commentary of Wolf Blitzer, still trading on his “Scud Stud” endeavor. If you want to get retro, Mr. Zucker, go back to the original news gathering that CNN did so well in its youth. Zucker, you are a recycled hack.
Tom ….I just don’t think even Bill Clinton (who has been pretty complimentary concerning Newts grey matter)would agree with you.Both are very bright men.Talented and astute.But often…all to often both men would put aside honest pronouncements in favor of political brinksmenship- as Bev pointed out.If you want to match flaws one against the other……..well it will probably be a long day.
The Right’s “liberal media” Big Lie has been quite effective. Trust only FOX(R) and the Republicans for fair and balanced information. Yup. Get yer death panels right here, folks. We’ll tell you all about Obama the Marxist racist who hates America.
Meanwhile, does CNN (Corporate News Network) have a spokesman for the Left like Noam Chomsky or Bernie Sanders hosting a show?
No?
But they do give Jack Cafferty five minutes for a survey question. Next up, Wolf Blitzer, on why we need more US military action in the Middle East.
Well, there’s your unfair and unbalanced corporate media at work.