(Google)
"... what these gentlemen are going to be able to do is, when the news media starts seeing its attention drift to other things but there's still enormous needs on the ground, these two gentlemen of extraordinary stature I think are going to be able to help ensure that these efforts are sustained," he said.
If you examine the most popular story lists on the most popular news sites, the Haitian earthquake disaster does not typically rise to the top — despite the front pages now being devoted largely to covering the Haitian disaster in which tens of thousands of people are feared dead. Americans are certainly aware of the dire situation — and have demonstrated their concern with generous donations to relief efforts — but readers are primarily giving their attention and clicks to stories of lesser global import.
The most popular lists below, from 11:00 a.m. ET on Saturday, reflect what stories and themes are trending for a particular site and its unique audience. The lists are based on different variables, such as the time frame used to collect data and audience size.
As a starting point, Google Trends offers a snapshot of trends by the moment from its billions of searches a day:
Red cross Haiti
Massachusetts senate race
Conan
Martha Coakley
Bill ClintonABC News
FDA Slams Tylenol Maker's Delay in Pill Recall
Verizon Wireless, AT&T Lower Voice Plan Prices
Johnson & Johnson Issues Massive Recall of Tylenol
WATCH: Surprise! Parents Shocked by Birth
WATCH: 911 Call: Mother's Surprise Delivery
CBS News (most popular over past 48 hours)
Rush Limbaugh Stands by Haiti Comments
Pat Roberston Haiti Comments Spart Uproar
Heidi Montag's Plastic Surgery Obsession
8-Year-Old Boy Scout Mikey Hicks on Terror Watch ListCNN (most popular in last 15 minutes)
Tragedy follows moment of hope
Doctors told to evacuate
Cooper: 'Stupid death'
Haiti's orphan crisis
Mass graves in Haiti Fox News
Watchdogs Raise Doubts About Wyclef Jean's Charity
Radio Host Accused of Shooting Wife Gets Another 60 Days in Jail
California Middle School Evacuated After Science Project Mistaken for Bomb
Notre Dame's Student Newspaper Apologizes for Joke About Gays
Human Body Washes Up on Shore of Animal Disease LabHuffington Post
Pat Robertson: Haiti 'Cursed' By 'Pact To The Devil'.
Haiti Earthquake: Breaking News, Updates
Jennifer Love Hewitt Bedazzled Her Privates
Paul Raushenbush Go to Hell, Pat Robertson: Haiti Needs...
Huff TV Roy Sekoff Reviews Sarah Palin's Debut As... MSNBC
Aid groups face 'race against time' in Haiti
Floor caves under Weight Watchers weigh-in
Porn video shown on billboard shocks drivers
NBC exec: Conan is 'chicken-hearted, gutless'
Cops cancel Mr. Gay China pageant New York Times (most emailed list)
David Brooks: The Underlying Tragedy
Paul Krugman: Bankers Without a Clue
Doctor and Patient: Do You Have the 'Right Stuff' to Be a Doctor?
Well: The 11 Best Foods You Aren't Eating
F.D.A. Concerned About Substance in Food Packaging USA Today
Tylenol recall expanded to Motrin
Earthquake damage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Sexism or sex appeal?: Fashion models back
USA TODAY's weekly NFL picks for 2009 season
Verizon Wireless, AT&T lower voice plan Wall Street Journal
Verizon, AT&T Escalate Pricing War
Opinion: Dorothy Rabinowitz: Martha Coakley's Convictions
11 Minutes of NFL Action
Opinion: Noonan: Slug the Obama Story 'Disconnect'
Opinion: Strassel: The Health Lady Has Yet to Sing Washington Post
Analysis: Senate race underscores voter anger
FDA cites health concerns over BPA
Race is on for Mass.
Coakley hopes for historic win in Kennedy seat bid
Miscalculations led to attack on CIA Yahoo News
Source: Deal near for O'Brien to leave Tonight
Bin Laden's photo digitally updated for age, beard
Coakley hopes for historic win in Kennedy seat bid
Inside Washington: Secret Senate digs proliferate
Officials work to speed aid to devasted HaitiansThe Haitian earthquake isn't like Tiger Woods' meltdown, with a procession of scandalous details spilling out over many days. It's not a reality TV show, or a Jay Leno vs. Conan O'Brien late-night fight. It's not fodder for the tabloids. It's a sad and grim reality that is inescapable. The stories, images and videos coming out of Port-au-Prince are not lost on people surfing news sites. It could be enough just to view the headlines and desperate, heart-wrenching images (such as the clip below) to make an impression.
For now, the most important click is to donate whatever one can to assist in what is fast becoming a recovery, rather than rescue, operation.
Watch CBS News Videos Online
Daniel Farber is editor-in-chief of CBSNews.com.