"Burned Out;" Who's Behind "Storming Out"?; Charming: "I Hate Tripp" 1) Sunday night CBS stressed how polls show "Americans are burned out by the Lewinsky scandal;" ABC put the burden on Paula Jones, asking if she'll "finally" settle; and Dan Rather dumped on Tripp. 2) So why the bogus stories of Clinton storming out? Bob Schieffer says he was "deliberately misled on this" by Democrats. But Time's Karen Tumulty suggested Clinton aides were fooled by Clinton. 3) Margaret Carlson: "Ken Starr is a non-independent counsel." Eleanor Clift: "This whole investigation was built on a legal fraud." Bob Schieffer: Lewinsky's testimony... continue reading
CBS: Public Wants No Punishment; Celebrities Denounce Starr 1) Clinton wants to move on to what's really important, but the GOP insists on still dragging the process out, was the theme of network stories Thursday night. A CBS poll: Most reject punishment. 2) "Victory in America over this prosecutor will be victory for those across the world who support the principles of freedom," declared Anthony Hopkins, Gerard Depardieu, Vannessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson and many other international celebrities. 3) Letterman's "Top Ten Kenneth Starr Turn-Ons." 1 The threat and damage caused by Hurricane Georges led he ABC, CBS, CNN and NBC... continue reading
Gingrich Intransigence; Scandal Just Sex; Vilifying Tripp 1) CBS and NBC painted Gingrich and the GOP as unreasonably holding to a "hard line." But FNC noticed that Democrats who weeks ago said the GOP were in a "reckless rush to judgment" now "seem to think that the GOP is moving too slowly." 2) CNN's Bill Schneider dismissed parallels to Watergate: "Then it was about corruption. Now it's just about sex." And he disparaged everyone from Matt Drudge to Ken Starr to Dan Burton. 3) More Tripp attacks. ABC's Lisa McRee wondered "was it all politically motivated?" NBC's Dan Abrams declared... continue reading
Lewinsky Exculpates Clinton; Wicked Tripp vs. Dignified Hillary 1) Is not saying you did not lie the same as admitting you did lie? ABC and CBC conflict, or do they? All but CBS highlighted the "grievous error" of not including Lewinsky's "exculpatory" claim. 2) To NBC News Linda Tripp is a "Wicked Witch," but Hillary Clinton "projects a quiet dignity." 3) ABC's Lisa McRee hoped: "Doesn't that pull the rug out from under his [Starr] justification for continuing this Monica Lewinsky investigation or entering it in the first place?" 4) Rivera relayed how the White House won't allow a right-wing... continue reading
"I Hate Linda Tripp"; "Don't Cry to Mommy"; Clinton a Victim of Technology 1) ABC aired the most Clinton video; CBS delivered the most hostile take on Starr's staff and Linda Tripp's supposed perjury; NBC treated White House spin as authoritative and claimed the GOP too aggressive. 2) Tom Brokaw worried "the whole grand jury procedure" has now "been compromised as a result of this frenzy." 3) Clinton's a victim of modern technology, Dan Rather claimed. "If Franklin Roosevelt lied about Lucy Mercer, no satellite beamed his words across the country, around the world..." 4) Brokaw wondered if Clinton "will...ever... continue reading
GOP Abused Power, Not Clinton; Afraid of Video But There's Sex in Prime Time 1) Judges, lawyers and prosecutors have damaged the institution of the presidency, but not Bill Clinton, who was dragged through the muck. So argued the guest expert on Saturday's NBC Nightly News. 2) House Republicans are guilty of "a flagrant abuse of power" in asking the FBI to probe the White House role in the Hyde story, Al Hunt declared. But he's not convinced Clinton abused his power. 3) Keith Olbermann blasted Newt Gingrich: "He himself divorced his first wife while she was undergoing treatments for... continue reading
GOP Blamed for Partisanship & "Lynch Mob Mentality"; Tape Release "Smells" 1) The networks Friday night portrayed the House Republicans as partisan ram rodders, instead of looking at Democratic cover up. Dan Rather refused to accept the name of the Christian Coalition. 2) Liberal author Erica Jong's claim that Clinton's a "victim" was too much for even Katie Couric, but she argued removing him from office may be an excessive punishment. 3) Previewing the tape, CBS's Bob Schieffer said Clinton's sex definition will make viewers "laugh out loud." Countering rumors, NBC's Lisa Myers reported he did not "storm out of... continue reading
Video Will Help Mafia; Clinton Enticed; Geraldo: Gingrich a Misogynist 1) FNC's Carl Cameron uniquely reported Clinton's personal intimidation and that Democrats also threatened. CBS's Eric Engberg insisted the video release means Clinton's being treated worse than John Gotti and it will make Mafia prosecutions harder. 2) Clinton deserves sympathy, suggested GMA's Lisa McRee, since Lewinsky enticed him by "snapping the straps of thong underwear." 3) Today's Couric and Lauer upset by video release, think it's reasonable to make Ken Starr pay and blame GOP for being partisan. 4) Outing Henry Hyde thrilled Geraldo Rivera. "Aren't these suddenly panicked members... continue reading
Hyde Hit Topped ABC; NBC: Starr Gone Too Far?; Starr's "Sexual McCarthyism" 1) The Salon hit on Henry Hyde led ABC's World News Tonight. CBS, CNN and FNC all mentioned it, but not NBC. Dan Rather repeatedly insisted Clinton's testimony was "secret." 2) Tom Brokaw asked: "Did Ken Starr go too far and reveal a lot more than Americans needed or wanted to know?" NBC's answer: Yes. 3) The media focus on scandal, Geraldo Rivera complained, caused "humiliation" for Clinton in front of a foreign leader. "Does the Starr report herald the beginning of the era of sexual McCarthyism?" 4)... continue reading
Who Owes $36 M?; Just Sex Lies, So Let's Move On; Court-Martial Clinton? 1) Only NBC questioned the sincerity of Clinton's move to consult ministers; CBS highlighted poll showing most think Starr's sexual details were "inappropriate." All look at videotape controversy. 2) Geraldo Rivera upset by call for Clinton to pay the $4 million cost of the Lewinsky investigation: "Who's going to be paying for the other $36 million that Ken Starr spent and came up empty?" 3) ABC's Lisa McRee insisted it's just lying about sex, so why not drop impeachment, censure him and "let us get on with... continue reading