the kicker

As The Media Circles Speculate (Weekdays, 4pm, Only On…)

August 5, 2009

Last week, I linked to Annie Lowrey’s observation on Foreign Policy‘s Passport blog of “How [News] Stories About the Secretary of State End Up As ‘Sad Hillary’ Anecdrama” (Hillary has no power! Hillary is undermined and upstaged at every turn!) Seems it’s not just “Stories About” Hillary Clinton” that can “End Up As ‘Sad Hillary Anecdrama’,” but also Stories About The Release of Two Journalists From North Korea (really, is there any story that couldn’t benefit from a dash of “Sad Hillary Anecdrama?”)

From Mike Barnicle on MSNBC’s Morning Joe this morning:

[Bill Clinton’s] mission to North Korea has raised speculation among the usual circles in Washington, media circles, that with the additions of special envoys… and now [Sec. Clinton’s] husband, the former president, taking the mission to North Korea, that the foreign policy gears are being wound by too many people…

Here’s what the “usual circles in Washington, media circles” are “speculating.” I think Barnicle has stumbled upon an apt title for a new (or more than one existing) cable news show!

Liz Cox Barrett is a writer at CJR.