In response to a post I had over the weekend, the Daily Howler’s Bob Somerby took issue with what I wrote, arguing that I underestimate the ineptitude of the political media. I thought I’d take a moment to consider Bob’s point, because I think in this case, he and I are both right.
My post, headlined, “Worst. Week. Ever.,” highlighted Rudy Giuliani’s scandal-plagued, error-ridden week, starting last Monday. Before running through a list of humiliating setbacks, I asked, “[C]an we all agree that Rudy Giuliani has seen the worst week of any candidate in recent memory?”
Bob responded that we “can’t” agree on this, because when push comes to shove, the media won’t pursue Giuliani’s multiple controversies like it should. As evidence, Bob points to the coverage Meet the Press gave to Giuliani’s hellish week. It spanned a total of about two minutes.
ROBINSON: I think you’d have to say the worst moment of the week was when Bernie Kerik came out and said, “Oh, it was just fine,” and, you know, in support of Giuliani. That’s not what you want to have happen, you know. You don’t want Bernie Kerik as your character witness, I think. [laughter]
BRODY: And, and I think it’s all — it goes to the authenticity issue. Because Giuliani has said all the time on the campaign trail that this is what he’s about. “I’m not going to lie to you. I’m a straight-shooter.”
RUSSERT: “I’m not perfect.”
BRODY: “I’m not perfect.” But if this is a trickle, trickle, trickle story, and all of a sudden we’re talking about this in a month, then all of a sudden, you know, all bets are off on that argument. And that could be the most problematic thing here.
GREGORY: Again, it becomes a practical argument as well. In the general election, are evangelical voters who punished George Bush for his drunk driving record and sat home—are they going to do the same to Rudy Giuliani? Are women going to migrate toward a candidate who has an estranged relationship with his adult children? These are questions that I think Republicans have to ask in the primary process as they look forward.
RUSSERT: And yet, Michele [Norris], Rudy Giuliani’s campaign believes that if Mike Huckabee beats Mitt Romney in Iowa, and Giuliani can come in a strong third, that will give him some momentum going into New Hampshire…
And with that, Meet the Press was off to a new topic.
Despite a series of potentially campaign-ending scandals, the five-person Meet the Press panel barely mentioned the Shag Fund controversy, made a joke about Bernie Kerik, brought up an unrelated point about Giuliani’s kids, and then moved on.
In light of this, Bob thinks I’m wrong. I disagree — I think Meet the Press is wrong.
My point was that Giuliani’s week was objectively, almost ridiculously, awful. There were controversies surrounding his lack of character, his lack integrity, his ties to terrorists, his blatant dishonesty, his lax ethical standards, etc. If common sense still had any meaning, it was the kind of week that would drive a candidate from the campaign trail in disgrace.
Bob’s point seems to be that it doesn’t matter how objectively bad Giuliani’s week was; what matters is what the media emphasizes — and Meet the Press’ brief, inane, and substance-less exchange highlights the problem.
But can’t both Bob and I be right? Maybe Giuliani’s week really was the worst ever, but the consequences of the disaster may not have their full effect because the chattering class is so irresponsible and negligent in their journalistic duties?
Post Script: I’d just add that the Shag Fund scandal has been driven to fore by a lot of quality journalism. Meet the Press was ridiculous, of course, but some terrific work by the Politico’s Ben Smith got this ball rolling, and there’s been some strong coverage at a variety of outlets ever since. But in order for a scandal like this one to establish roots, talking heads have to convey the seriousness of the controversy. Yesterday’s Meet the Press was a reminder that, too often, that’s just not possible.