MediaWatch: December 1995
Table of Contents:
- MediaWatch: December 1995
- Budget News Without Basic Numbers
- NewsBites: A Wee Bit Off
- Revolving Door: Crossing Into Crossfire
- Deck the Cuts with Gusts of Folly
- TV Ignores Travelgate Acquittal
- "Al Capone of Apple Juice"
- Media Mourn Moderates' Decline Pennsylvania's Problem
- Janet Cooke Award: DeParle's Drama of Destruction
Media Mourn Moderates' Decline Pennsylvania's Problem
In the wake of Colin Powell's campaign retreat, CBS Sunday Morning host Charles Osgood asked November 19: "Is there room under the Republican tent for points of view so different from those of its most conservative wing?" Reporter Russ Mitchell also asked: "Is there room in the Party of Lincoln for moderates like Colin Powell?" CBS did not explore the question of "room" for conservatives or moderates within the Democratic party, since they keep tumbling out to join the Republican column.
Mitchell looked at the Pennsylvania GOP, formerly dominated by moderates: "Professor Mike Young says Pennsylvania Republicans tolerated each other because no one thought ideologues could win state office. He fears [conservative Senator} Rick Santorum could change that." Mitchell focused on theway conservatives treat moderates, but did not examine the divisive presidential campaign of Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter, who attacked the "intolerant Right."
Mitchell did mourn the Specter candidacy by observing: "It appears moderate Republicans can win the Governor's house, or the U.S. House or Senate, but when it comes to this house [the White House] it may be a different story." Mitchell concluded his story by warning: "The extreme right wing of the party cheered when Colin Powell decided not to run, but polls show two-thirds of Republicans view him favorably. General Powell and moderates like him say they have no plans to go away."
