Young Sexy Politics

On June 2^nd and 3^rd, NBC enjoyed phenomenal ratings of over 9 million viewers, for both installments of “Inside the Obama White House” with Brian Williams. On June 24^th, ABC will air a special of its own from the White House, detailing the Obama health care plan. The focal point will be a one-hour special in the now infamous “town hall” format, that became so popular on the 2008 campaign trail. In addition, ABC’s Good Morning America, World News, Nightline, and web news will also contain special programming, to sell the Obama health care plan. Here’s the question: Is ABC just trying to emulate its rival in a battle for ratings? Or is it trying to cater to the White House in an attempt to gain favor with the new administration?

The question of ABC’s motivation to air an Obama health care “infomercial,” is incredibly pressing. Why would a network give extended air time to a specific agenda, by covering only one side of the debate? Why wouldn’t they just cover the raging battle in congress over this issue? Why are they showing favor to one side, by providing a primetime platform, to a single set of ideas?

Rich and vigorous debate is something Americans have always enjoyed and cherished. It is the great political equalizer. Let’s face it… both sides of the aisle concoct retarded ideas, on a daily basis. Ideas that would never work and we, the people, would never vote for. Debate is the only tool at our disposal to sift through the bullshit. It’s the only way we, as Americans, can see through the lies and decide for ourselves. However, debate is under attack in America. Actually, its borderline extinct. Sure, there’s plenty of debate inside the house and senate, but debate presented directly to the American people, is increasingly hard to come by. Just look at the new Q&A format used by the Obama administration.

On February 9^th, 2009, Obama gave his first press conference.  Afterward, he answered questions just like every president before him… well, almost. Instead of the usual hand-raising method, the press corps was called upon via the use of a prescreened list of journalists. The latter part of the press conference was so over-scripted, it was almost laughable. Obama called out name after name, without deviating from his list. It was almost like a teacher conducting role-call for an entire class period. At one point, the president looked down at his list, called on NBC’s Chuck Todd, then struggled to find Chuck in the crowded room while saying: “Where’s Chuck?” This is something we’ve never seen before. In the years of presidents past, reporters have been called on by raising their hands, which generally gives away their location quite quickly. Could it be that ABC is trying to secure a permanent spot on Obama’s approved list of reporters and networks? Is this a last-ditch effort to gain access to an increasingly guarded administration, at the cost of integrity and credibility? Aren’t these principals the cornerstone of reputable journalism? Does ABC even care?  I would venture to say they don’t.

On June 16^th, John McKay, Chief of Staff for the Republican National Committee, sent a letter to David Westin, the president of ABC. In the letter, Mr. McKay said “Today, the Republican National Committee requested an opportunity to add our Party’s views to those of the President’s, to ensure that all sides of the health care reform debate are presented. Our request was rejected.” McKay was apparently referring to a prior request for an opposing presence, on the upcoming telecast, that was denied by ABC. This only serves as confirmation that ABC does in fact have ulterior motives. If ABC and President Obama are so confident in his new health care plan, why are they afraid to present an opposing viewpoint?  Wouldn’t lively debate on primetime television lend conflict to this narrative? Wouldn’t a battle royale between Obama and say… Michael Steele, drive ratings even higher? Of course it would! Just look at the Super Bowl. So why doesn’t ABC want that? Isn’t it all about ratings? Isn’t it all about money? Well, yes. It is. But ABC is looking long-term on this one. This is a game of chess, not checkers.

In response, ABC insisted that they will be in control of the health care special, not the Obama administration. By the way, the response was written by the Senior Vice President of ABC news, Kerry Smith, instead of David Westin, whom the original letter was specifically addressed to. Regardless, ABC may be telling the truth to some degree. After all, it is their network and they have the final say as to what is aired. However, call me crazy but I highly doubt Obama would have agreed to this little project, if he knew he would face a worthy adversary on this issue. A lack of debate is the whole reason ABC has a special to air in the first place. ABC does not want to bite the hand that feeds it. Therein lies my theory.

I believe the upcoming ABC health care special was requested and probably orchestrated by the Obama administration. I also believe that ABC denied Mr. McKay’s request because they knew it would be a deal breaker for the President and probably violates some sort of agreement, already in place. Would a good old-fashioned debate boost the ratings of this upcoming special? Absolutely. But would it also put ABC on some sort of White House blacklist? I think so… what do you think?