The Kicker

And nary a CJR to be found

While describing the formation of several weather systems in the Caribbean and the threat they pose to the southern states, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith referred to a hurricane-to-maybe-be as follows: “Her name is Josephine, but we cannot even start worrying about her yet, because there are two others lining up at the United States, […]

ST. PAUL — Below, the results of a highly unscientific survey I conducted today in the Xcel Center and its perimeter, where news programs aired on several TVs–from flat-screens perched on tables to smaller sets mounted on walls–are part of the (increasingly convivial) atmosphere. Number of TV Sets Airing Each Network, Per Xcel Center Area: […]

Donna Brazile is chatting with Mark Halperin as they walk through an atrium adjacent to the Xcel Center. She asks him for directions to the convention floor. He obliges her. As she rushes off, she shouts back to him, “Oh–I love your t-shirt!” Since Halperin is not, in fact, wearing a t-shirt, I can only […]

From one of those three A1 New York Times Palin pregnancy stories today: Mr. McCain’s campaign, which has shown itself adept at handling the news media, tried to influence coverage of the [pregnancy] disclosure by releasing it as Hurricane Gustav was slamming into the Gulf Coast. (The Palin news was not mentioned on the “CBS […]

“Everyone has an opinion on Bristol pregnancy,” proclaims a headline in the San Francisco Chronicle. But only Newsweek brings us “The RNC’s Youngest Delegate On Palin’s Daughter,” asking “the youngest delegate at the Republican National Convention,” Mike Knopf, 17 (just like Bristol Palin!), “his take on what [Bristol Palin’s pregnancy] means for young conservatives,” which […]

Per the Associated Press: RNC delegates “devoted time to political stargazing on a day devoid of any major political speeches… At the broadcast booths for CNN and Fox News, delegates congregated to snap shots of the television personalities and political celebrities they interviewed…” And here’s a picture of me and The Best Political Team on […]

ST. PAUL — The story of the day yesterday, besides the landfall of Hurricane Gustav and the revelation of Bristol Palin’s pregnancy, was the protests. Anti-war protesters, counteracted by pro-war protesters, counteracted by socialists, counteracted by anarchists, counteracted by pro-lifers, counteracted by pro-choicers, all came together to march in nearly-ninety-degree humidity outside the Xcel Center […]

About a year ago, after locals heard that St. Paul would be the site of the Republican National Convention, a handful of liberal activists decided they would do something to welcome the show. The result? True Blue Minnesota and their 22 by 30 foot jumbo screen, held two stories aloft, playing video programming designed from […]

The Times of London‘s description of Gov. Sarah Palin’s hometown (Wasilla, Alaksa): It’s a small, unkempt-looking place, defined by a series of out-of-town stores, a huge lumber yard, a ramshackle bar named the Mug Shot Saloon with Harley Davidsons parked outside, and a lake, by the side of which is Palin’s house. A description which […]

The New York Times found three ways to mention, above-the-fold on A1 today, that McCain’s running-mate’s 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. Per the Times, 17-year-old Bristol Palin’s pregnancy: is one of “a series of disclosures” that “called into question how thoroughly Mr. McCain” vetted his running-mate; “presents an unwanted distraction for Mr. McCain’s campaign;” and helped […]