TOP STORY

Pot, Meet Kettle

By Thomas Jeffrey

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Article Posted: Sunday November 18, 2007

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CNN, the cable news giant who, after expending gallons of electronic ink detailing the Clinton campaign’s latest misstep — namely the planting of questions into the mouths of stump-speech questioners — now finds itself guilty of the same chicanery.

This past Wednesday night, during the Democratic debate in Las Vegas, 22-year old UNLV student Maria Luisa Parra-Sandoval had two questions prepared to ask of Mrs. Clinton; one concerning children’s health care and the other about storing nuclear waste under Yucca mountain. Both were rejected by the Cable News Network and she was instead encouraged to ask of the female presidential candidate the much more vapid, non-controversial “do you prefer diamonds or pearls?”

(I wonder how many people that little exchange will inspire to head to the polls for the coming primary?)

But now, as if there really is some semblance of voter dissatisfaction out there with how these debates are being staged, Ms. Parra-Sandoval is being singled out as an example for what is wrong with these tv reality shows being passed off as forums for presidential candidates.

And, after having had to endure some heavy criticism from her college peers due to her light-weight Q&A with Mrs. Clinton, Ms. Parra-Sandoval, a member of the Political Science Honor Society at UNLV, is beginning to feel that she was “a little used” by Wolf Blitzer and Company.

But as is so often the case, what makes for good politics is quite often not what makes for good television. Consider this your indoctrination into the school of hard knocks and modern media, Ms. Parra-Sandoval. And next time, take this Nutjob’s advice — stick with your gut.

Diamonds and pearls don’t lose their luster — Las Vegas Sun

Student describes how she became a Clinton plant — CNN.com

- posted by: Thomas Jeffrey and Nov 18, 04:32 PM in analysis

 

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