TV Coverage: Two-to-one Against Obama

By Christina Larson

(Political Animal)  TV coverage: Two-to-one against Obama .... With the GOP primary all but resolved, and the Democratic fight only growing more intense, Barack Obama finds himself in the unenviable position of being the chief target of attacks from both the Clinton and McCain camps. As the Democratic leader — with only a thin margin, depending on the latest poll — this is a difficult but perhaps inevitable predicament.

However, this doesn't mean the TV newscasts, night after night, have to give equal time to Clinton and McCain attacks — especially if they're making similar points on the same topic, national security. The presidential race is now being covered almost as though it were a three-way primary: first a news clip of Clinton attacking Obama; then one of McCain attacking Obama; and finally a clip of Obama playing double-duty on the defense.

Here's an open plea to TV producers: Please take note — only two of those three candidates are really sweating out the results of major primaries races tomorrow.
The double-dose of attacks on Obama may be helping Clinton; recent polls show her closing the gap in Texas.




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