On the eve the increasingly important Pennyslvania primary and with one of the largest audiences ever for a debate, ABC’s Charles Gibson and former Clinton aide-turned-broadcaster George Stephanopoulous blew it. That’s the consensus of viewers, bloggers and other news organizations. Reports say ABC’s Web site received more than 17,000, mostly negative responses about their shoddy handling of the Democrative debate between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.Gibson and Stephanopoulous reinforced viewers’ opinion that the media is out of synch with America with their focus on inconsequential topics when Americans are grappling with an imploding economy, banking meltdown, credit crisis, foreclosure mess, job loss, loss of international status, unending war in Iraq and other important issues. They opted for gotcha questions targeting Obama on fashion issues (American flag lapel pin), and old sound bites on the now-retired Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and Clinton on her Bosnia trip flap. Both candidates came out looking better than the moderators.
Pennsylvania Primary
Will tomorrow’s election give us a definitive win for either Obama or Clinton. We don’t know. They are running neck and neck, while superdelegates seem to be drifting toward Obama. If Clinton wins she bolsters her claim of being able to win in a big and blue state, like Pennsylvania. Clinton picked up an endorsement from a former foe, Richard Mellon Scaife, the billion Clinton accused of as being part of the "vast right-wing conspiracy" against her husband. After an editorial board meeting the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review owned by Sciafe said Clinton was the “smart choice.”
Earlier in the week, Barack Obama faced the largest turnout of his campaign as Philadelphians gathered to get a gander at the Clinton challenger. Some 35,000 people attended his rally Friday in Independence Park where he said the United States is facing a crucial moment in history.
The Bush Legacy
As President George Bush’s second term winds down, historians are starting to consider his legacy and it comes up lacking. According to Rolling Stone magazine, historians say Bush II is considered the worst president of all time. Unless Osama Bin Laden is found and captured, they say it’s likely that his second term will end in disgrace, despite Laura Bush hosting the Today show, daughter Jenna’s wedding and his upbeat what-me-worry attitude as he races around the world trying to tie up loose ends left until the last minute.
