Hotline On Call

Search Results:

Hotline After Dark -- 'Cause I'm The Taxman
Questions were raised about the nomination of Treas. Sec.-designate/NY FED Pres. Tim Geithner, amid reports he failed to pay some personal taxes and a problem with his housekeeper. Pat Buchanan: "Geithner's got a nanny problem. ... What he did, apparently,...

Posted on January 14, 2009 09:04 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Take A Bow
Last night's TV talk primarily focused on Pres. Bush's "ultimate exit interview" at the WH. Newsweek's Wolffe: "What really struck me was the lack of awareness that he displayed throughout, the lack of self-awareness, the lack of understanding about the...

Posted on January 13, 2009 08:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Dire Straits
Much of last night's TV talk focused on Pres.-elect Obama's solemn economic speech, where he warned of dire and lasting consequences if his economic stimulus plan is not passed. Washington Post's Birnbaum: "We've heard President-elect Obama talk about dire predictions...

Posted on January 9, 2009 08:55 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Worry, Be Happy
CNBC's Harwood sat down with Pres.-elect Obama. Some highlights: Obama, on his meeting with the ex-POTUSes: "President Bush has been incredibly gracious. The transition, I think, has been as smooth as any we've seen in history partly because President Bush...

Posted on January 8, 2009 09:24 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Your Love Is Like Good Medicine
A number of Dr. Sanjay Gupta's colleagues at CNN responded positively to the news that Pres.-elect Obama offered Gupta the job of surgeon general. CNN's Henry: "Dr. Gupta, while he's not commenting publicly, is very interested in this privately, to...

Posted on January 7, 2009 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Spy Who Surprised Me
Pres.-elect Obama's surprise selection of ex-Clinton CoS Leon Panetta as CIA dir. generated mixed reactions: NBC's Mitchell, on Panetta being criticized for not being an experienced intelligence official: "He may have problems with confirmation. It is clear the incoming Obama...

Posted on January 6, 2009 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Have A Little Faith In Me?
Much of last night's TV talk focused on Pres.-elect Obama's decision to have Pastor Rick Warren deliver the inaugural invocation. Human Rights Campaign's Harry Knox: "We were profoundly disappointed in the president-elect's pick because he chose someone who is a...

Posted on December 19, 2008 08:47 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Let's Give Them Nothing To Talk About
Pres.-elect Obama's handling of the IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) scandal continues to dominate TV: Ex-WH press sec. Joe Lockhart, on Obama probably not releasing the information himself: "We're at the level of nitpicking now. ... I think that somehow...

Posted on December 18, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Silence Is Not So Golden
It was reported last night that Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) has been sharing information with the feds since '02. CNN's Tuchman: "Jackson ... has at least for 10 years given information to federal law enforcement authorities to deal with...

Posted on December 17, 2008 09:02 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Take That Tone With Us
Pres.-elect Obama's presser to announce his energy team was overshadowed by questions surrounding the IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) scandal. Obama said an internal review revealed no inappropriate discussions between his staff and the office of Blagojevich. Newsweek's Isikoff, on...

Posted on December 16, 2008 09:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Second Time's The Charm?
Pres.-elect Obama's second attempt to address the IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) controversy was fully reviewed: Weekly Standard's Hayes, asked if Obama did enough in his presser to tamp down this controversy: "I think he sort of hit pause. I...

Posted on December 12, 2008 09:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Jackson's Believe It Or Not
Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s (D-IL) public denial of offering money to IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) in exchange for an appointment to Pres.-elect Obama's Senate seat was the talk of the TV. Chicago Sun-Times' Sweet: "He was the most overt...

Posted on December 11, 2008 08:49 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Ties That Bind Us?
Last night's TV was dominated by the arrest of IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) on federal corruption charges, with much of the talk focusing on whether or not it impacts Pres.-elect Obama. NBC pol. dir. Chuck Todd: "A lot of...

Posted on December 10, 2008 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Let's Make A Deal
The auto industry bailout continued to be the hot topic on TV. ABC's McFadden spoke with Pres. Bush about the issue yesterday. Bush, asked if an auto bailout is close to a resolution: "It's hard to tell because there are...

Posted on December 9, 2008 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Singin' The Bailout Blues
The bailout the Big 3 auto companies are asking for from Congress was the talk of TV, with Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli sitting down with CBS' Katie Couric on "Evening News." Nardelli, on how he thinks he can convince Americans...

Posted on December 5, 2008 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Flattery Will Get You Somewhere
Pres.-elect Obama announcing NM Gov./ex-UN Amb./ex-Energy Sec. Bill Richardson (D) as his nominee for Commerce sec. was the talk of TV: CNBC's Harwood: "Some of that is flattery. You're trying to make somebody who aspired to be secretary of state,...

Posted on December 4, 2008 08:56 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hope Floats
Dem hopes of gaining a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate were squashed when Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) was projected to win reelection in the GA SEN runoff. CNN's Bash: "This is a very rare moment of glory and victory...

Posted on December 3, 2008 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Red Rover, Red Rover, Send Hillary Right Over
Pres.-elect Obama's unveiling of his nat'l security team was the talk of the TV, with a lot of the analysis focusing on Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) being named sec/state. NPR's Liasson: "A lot of continuity, a lot of strong people....

Posted on December 2, 2008 09:36 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Summers Lovin' Had Them A Blast
The talk of the TV was Pres.-elect Obama's economic team, which includes NY Fed. Reserve Pres. Timothy Geithner as treas. sec., ex-Treas. Sec./ex-Harvard Univ. Pres. Larry Summers as Nat'l Economic Council dir. and UC-Berkeley professor Christina Romer as head the...

Posted on November 25, 2008 08:49 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Summertime And The Nomination's Easy
FNC's Van Susteren, on last night's breaking news: "The Associated Press is reporting that a transition aide says President-elect Barack Obama is on track to nominate Senator Hillary Clinton as secretary of state after Thanksgiving" ("On The Record," 11/20). MSNBC's...

Posted on November 21, 2008 08:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Look Back In Anger
CBS' Couric sat down with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) in his hideaway office on the Hill 11/19 a.m. The interview aired on last night's "Evening News." Lieberman: "I think what the Democratic caucus did yesterday, in response to the appeal...

Posted on November 20, 2008 08:51 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Marced Man?
Four stories dominated last night's TV coverage: Pres.-elect Obama conditionally offering Eric Holder the AG position, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) getting to keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Cmte, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) claiming victory over Sen....

Posted on November 19, 2008 09:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Best In Show
Journos had different interpretations of Pres.-elect Obama's meeting with Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): Chicago Tribune's McCormick: "We're told that they met for about 90 minutes kind of mid-day here in Chicago in the Loop in downtown. ... We know sort...

Posted on November 18, 2008 08:50 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Team Of Rivals
Breaking news last night: Hillary Clinton is being considered for Sec/State in the Obama admin. NBC's Mitchell: "Two advisers to Barack Obama tell NBC News that Hillary Clinton is under consideration to be secretary of state. Clinton would clearly be...

Posted on November 14, 2008 09:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Party In The City Where The Heat Is On
With a lot of focus on '12, all eyes were on the RGA's annual conference in Miami: MS Gov. Haley Barbour (R): "The news media down here maybe want to be talking about 2012. The vast majority of the people,...

Posted on November 13, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Family Man
Pres. Bush spoke with CNN's Collins while aboard the USS Intrepid in NYC yesterday, during which he discussed Pres.-elect Obama and his own presidency. Bush, asked what kind of advice he gave Obama during their WH meeting: "To the extent...

Posted on November 12, 2008 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Mi Casa, Su Casa
A majority of last night's TV coverage focused on Pres.-elect Obama's meeting with Pres. Bush at the WH. FNC's Baier: "While this was Mr. Obama's seventh visit to the White House, this meeting was his first time inside the Oval...

Posted on November 11, 2008 09:09 AM

Hotline After Dark -- They Call Me Mellow Yellow
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) accepting Pres.-elect Obama's invitation to be WH CoS dominated TV coverage last night. Newsweek's Fineman: "The Republicans don't like it. They don't like it because Rahm can be tough. But the real reason the Republicans don't...

Posted on November 7, 2008 09:29 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Building Or Burning Bridges?
In addition to analysis of how Pres.-elect Obama won the election, much of last night's TV coverage focused on the new admin. and Obama inviting Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) to be his CoS. Washington Post's Gerson: "[Obama's] immediate focus will...

Posted on November 6, 2008 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- For Love Of The Game
ESPN's Berman caught up with John McCain and Barack Obama yesterday. The interviews aired during "Monday Night Football"'s half-time. First up, Obama: Obama, asked what he has learned about himself during the campaign: "I don't get too high when things...

Posted on November 4, 2008 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Cruisin' For A Bruisin'
Last night's TV coverage was dominated by poll analysis. Barack Obama also made the rounds: MSNBC's Maddow sat down with Obama in FL. Maddow: "When John McCain calls you a socialist. ... He calls you soft on national security. That's...

Posted on October 31, 2008 08:55 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Coincidence? They Think Not
The reviews of Barack Obama's half-hour ad are in: MSNBC's Olbermann: "This was the first time in 16 years that a presidential candidate had aired a pro-longed campaign commercial in primetime, seven networks at once at a cost to the...

Posted on October 30, 2008 09:08 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Wealth Of Information
CNBC's Bartiromo sat down with John McCain and Sarah Palin 10/28. Bartiromo: "What is wrong with the redistribution of wealth? How are you going to help the people on the bottom of the income scale?" McCain: "Well, obviously that's been...

Posted on October 29, 2008 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- From Bad To Worse
Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) being found guilty on all counts was the the talk of the TV: NBC's P. Williams: "He becomes now the fourth sitting U.S. senator in history to be convicted. And what happens to him now will...

Posted on October 28, 2008 09:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Talk To Me
Last night's coverage featured Sarah Palin's second interview with Sean Hannity, as well as the second part of NBC's Brian Williams' interview with Palin and John McCain. Additionally, ex-Pres. Bush press sec. Scott McClellan endorsed Barack Obama on comedian D.L....

Posted on October 24, 2008 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Crisis Control
NBC's Williams sat down with John McCain and Sarah Palin in OH. Williams: "Before we begin airing the conversation, this moment first from late in our conversation that will make news tonight about the growing requests these days for Sarah...

Posted on October 23, 2008 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- I Can See Clearly Now
In her first interview with CNN, Sarah Palin spoke with Drew Griffin in NV. During the interview, Palin brought up Joe Biden saying Barack Obama will be tested by an int'l crisis within six months. She also apologized for suggesting...

Posted on October 22, 2008 08:41 AM

Hotline After Dark -- So Happy Together
In their first joint interview, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton spoke with ABC's McFadden in FL. McFadden: "What can Hillary Clinton do for you in Florida that you can't do for yourself here?" Obama: "Hillary, I think, is as effective...

Posted on October 21, 2008 09:36 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Back To Being BFF
John McCain appeared on the "Late Show" to apologize for skipping out on David Letterman's 9/24 show. Letterman: "Can you stay?" McCain: "Depends on how bad it gets. I have a son in the Marine Corps and I asked him...

Posted on October 17, 2008 09:02 AM

Hotline After Dark -- On A Good Note, "Game-Changer" Wasn't Used As Much
The reviews for the third and final presidential debate between John McCain and Barack Obama are in: FNC's Hume: "It was debate that was certainly combative but certainly not un-civil. Through it all Senator McCain seemed to be on the...

Posted on October 16, 2008 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Great Debaters
There was some talk about Barack Obama's association with ACORN, but most of last night's TV coverage focused on what John McCain needs to do (or not do) in tonight's debate: Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), on McCain promising to bring...

Posted on October 15, 2008 09:20 AM

Hotline After Dark -- What's Mine Is Yours
CNN's Bash caught up with John McCain. Some highlights: McCain, asked if he's going to offer any new economic proposals this week: "I'll let you know tomorrow." Bash: "Well, your opponent, Barack Obama, did offer something new today. I'm sure...

Posted on October 14, 2008 08:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Courage Under Fire
A majority of last night's TV focused on the economic crisis. Candidates also continued to make the rounds. ABC's Gibson sat down with John McCain in Milwaukee, where the two talked about Barack Obama's association with Bill Ayers. Gibson: "You...

Posted on October 10, 2008 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Fun Factor
John McCain, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama all made the TV rounds last night. FNC's Hannity sat down with McCain and Palin in Coopersburg, PA. McCain, asked if he and Palin give each other debate advice: "No, the only advice...

Posted on October 9, 2008 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Is His Bark Worse Than His Bite?
Some highlights from analysis of the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain: MSNBC's Matthews: "The dog that didn't bite. ... McCain never took an opportunity to take a shot at his rival on the issue that his...

Posted on October 8, 2008 09:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No More Mr. Nice Guy
A lot of last night's TV focused on the John McCain camp attacking Barack Obama's associations with Bill Ayers. NPR's Williams: "I think they'll go on to Reverend Wright. ... They are going to make Obama so dangerous that they...

Posted on October 7, 2008 08:37 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Living Another Day
The VP debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin was the talk of the TV. Some of the reviews: FNC's Hume: "It was a spirited debate in no sense hostile; not quite perhaps as lively a series of exchanges as...

Posted on October 3, 2008 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Reality Bites
With the Senate's passage of the bailout bill last night, the package now moves to the House. Pols and pundits weighed in on its chances of passing there: Ex-Speaker Denny Hastert: "There's a very good chance. This is one of...

Posted on October 2, 2008 09:09 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Reliable Sources?
More of Katie Couric's interview with Sarah Palin and John McCain aired last night on CBS' "Evening News." Couric: "When it comes to establishing your worldview, I was curious, what newspapers and magazines did you regularly read before you were...

Posted on October 1, 2008 09:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Crisis Mode
The House's rejection of the bailout bill dominated last night's news coverage. Newt Gingrich, on a possible reason the bill failed: "The Republicans in the House are the most conservative element in Washington. And they were firmly opposed to the...

Posted on September 30, 2008 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Talking Heads
John McCain and Barack Obama made the TV rounds last night to discuss the bailout plan and tonight's debate. First up, McCain: McCain, asked what's the hang up on the bailout plan: "Well, members have concerns about ... an expenditure...

Posted on September 26, 2008 09:56 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Crisis Control
John McCain's decision to suspend his campaign and ask that the 9/26 debate be delayed was the hot topic last night. CBS' Katie Couric asked McCain about it in a sit-down interview. Couric: "Political observers say whoever gets out front...

Posted on September 25, 2008 09:35 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Access Denied
Reporters were initially barred from Sarah Palin's first meetings with world leaders at the U.N. on 9/23. CNN's Henry: "The [John] McCain campaign had tried to make the meetings no risk, at first refusing to allow reporters to join cameras...

Posted on September 24, 2008 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- It's A Wild World
The $700B bailout plan continues to be the talk of the TV. FNC's Barnes: "We would be in a better situation, or at least the Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson would, if this were known as a 'rescue' rather than a...

Posted on September 23, 2008 09:35 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Fired Up!
John McCain saying SEC chair Chris Cox should be fired generated a fair amount of discussion last night: New York Observer's Kornacki: "Firing the SEC commissioner, this is textbook. ... How do you separate yourself in 2006 from George W....

Posted on September 19, 2008 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Silent And Clear
FNC's Sean Hannity sat down with Sarah Palin in Cleveland, OH, for her first cable interview. Part one aired on "Hannity & Colmes." Hannity: "Senator [Barack] Obama yesterday was attacking Senator [John] McCain for saying that the fundamentals of the...

Posted on September 18, 2008 09:03 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No Biz Like Show Biz
With the AIG bailout announcement, the economy continued to the big topic on TV. There was also a lot of reaction to statements made by two John McCain advisers. "Countdown" aired NBC's Mitchell's conversation with McCain Victory chair Carly Fiorina....

Posted on September 17, 2008 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Are You Strong Enough To Be Our Man?
Last night's TV was dominated by the financial crisis on Wall Street, with a lot of talk focusing on John McCain saying "the fundamentals of our economy are strong." Washington Examiner's Sammon: "On a day when the DOW drops 500...

Posted on September 16, 2008 09:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Full Court Press
The talk of the TV was Sarah Palin's much-anticipated interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson. Gibson will conduct three interviews with Palin. The first interview took place 9/11 and aired on "World News." Gibson: "Can you look the country in the...

Posted on September 12, 2008 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Read My Lips-tick
Talk of Barack Obama's "lipstick on a pig" remark continued last night. Obama was asked about it during an appearance on CBS' "Late Show." David Letterman: "Have you ever actually put lipstick on a pig?" Obama: "You know, the answer...

Posted on September 11, 2008 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Muddy Waters?
There was a lot of reaction to Barack Obama's "lipstick on a pig" comment. Mike Huckabee: "It's an old expression, and I'm going to have to cut Obama some slack on that one. I do not think he was referring...

Posted on September 10, 2008 09:08 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Learning To Fly, But They Ain't Got Wings
MSNBC's Keith Olbermann spoke with Barack Obama from the campaign trail in Flint, MI. Obama, on the new John McCain/Sarah Palin ad: "They're not telling the truth. ... I think we've all gotten accustomed to being able to spin things...

Posted on September 9, 2008 08:58 AM

Hotline After Dark -- McChange
The reviews of John McCain's speech are still coming in this a.m., but here is a preview of what has been said: FNC's Angle: "You obviously had John McCain going into [Barack] Obama territory talking about change, mentioning it...

Posted on September 5, 2008 09:35 AM

Media Monitor: Backstage Pass
9/4, 9:15 am CT: Set of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Keys Cafe, situated a few blocks from the Xcel Center, has housed the set of MSNBC's "Morning Joe" during its time in St. Paul. Open to the public, the diner...

Posted on September 4, 2008 06:27 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Power Hitter
Sarah Palin's much-anticipated speech was the talk of the TV last night. PBS' Ifill: "I don't think I can overstate all the pent-up excitement there was in this room waiting for Sarah Palin. And it exploded all over the...

Posted on September 4, 2008 09:29 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Questioning The Questions
AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R) continued to be the talk of the TV last night. Discussion focused on her daughter being pregnant and whether Palin was properly vetted. Karl Rove, on critics saying Palin should bow out for the...

Posted on September 3, 2008 08:45 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Family Affair
The news that AK Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant spread fast. Pols and pundits weighed in on whether it is a legitimate political issue. NPR's Williams: "It definitely shouldn't be in political play. It's nobody's...

Posted on September 2, 2008 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Strong Enough To Be Our Man?
Here's some reaction to Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Denver's Invesco Field: PBS' Woodruff: "There were three things ... that Barack Obama accomplished tonight. Number one, to the criticism that he has not put meat on the bones of his...

Posted on August 29, 2008 09:56 AM

Loyalty
IL Sen. Dick Durbin introduces his friend Barack Obama, saying that "after this convention ends and the lights of this great stadium go dark will come the morning light and the dawning of a new day." The sun has...

Posted on August 28, 2008 09:57 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Come Together, Right Now, Over Me
The speeches made by Bill Clinton and Joe Biden dominated last night's TV coverage. We'll start with B. Clinton's reviews first (because there were much more of them): Ex-IA Gov. Tom Vilsack (D): "Vintage Bill Clinton. No question about it....

Posted on August 28, 2008 09:57 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Getting The Job Done
Hillary Clinton's speech was the talk of the TV late last night: Dick Morris: "The better Hillary does tonight, the more everybody in this convention is going to be thinking why didn't [Barack Obama] pick her?" ("Hannity & Colmes,"...

Posted on August 27, 2008 08:57 AM

Missing Piece
DENVER -- After a rousing speech, a plain plea to Democrats for unity, did Hillary Clinton say the magic words that could convince her supporters that Barack Obama is ready to be president? Certainly, Clinton made clear that she...

Posted on August 26, 2008 11:51 PM

"A Proud Supporter Of Barack Obama"
HIllary Rodham Clinton's DNC speech begins : "I am honored to be here tonight. A proud mother. A proud Democrat. A proud American. And a proud supporter of Barack Obama. My friends, it is time to take back the...

Posted on August 26, 2008 10:43 PM

Hotline After Dark -- The Portrait of A (Possible First) Lady
The reviews of Michelle Obama's 8/25 speech are in: PBS' Woodruff: "There have been spousal speeches, they've been successful on a scale of 1 to 10. I would say -- and journalists write the first rough draft of history...

Posted on August 26, 2008 10:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
VP speculation continued last night. NBC's Allen talked with Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) about the possibility of being John McCain's running mate. Allen: "If asked to be vice president, would you say no?" Lieberman: "You want me to answer that...

Posted on August 21, 2008 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Pro Con Pro-Choice
Veepstakes was the talk of the TV last night. On the GOP side, most of the discussion focused on the possibility of John McCain picking a pro-choice running mate. FNC's Cameron: "Sources at the Republican National Committee now say they've...

Posted on August 20, 2008 09:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Sounds Of Silence
Pastor Rick Warren made the rounds last night to talk about the 8/16 Saddleback Ranch forum. Warren, on speculation John McCain heard the questions beforehand: "It's a totally bogus issue. It's challenging the integrity of the Secret Service, challenging the...

Posted on August 19, 2008 09:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Powell's Plans Not Kristol Clear
Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol reported on FNC 8/13 that ex-Sec/State Colin Powell would be joining Barack Obama at the Dem convo to endorse him. In an interview with ABC News, Powell disputed the claim. Powell: "I do not have time...

Posted on August 14, 2008 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Cruisin' For A Bruisin'
Last night's TV coverage was dominated by the conflict between Russia and Georgia. FNC's Cameron sat down with John McCain in York, PA, where McCain talked about the situation. McCain, asked if the U.S. adequately recognized Russia's threat: "I'm not...

Posted on August 13, 2008 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Making A Statement
A majority of last night's TV focused on the conflict between Russia and Georgia, and how Barack Obama and John McCain are responding to it. FNC's Barnes: "I haven't learned a whole lot from these statements, but every time one...

Posted on August 12, 2008 09:41 AM

Hotline After Dark -- When Booze Beckons
Last night's TV primarily focused on Barack Obama and John McCain's ongoing debate over energy policy, including Obama's response to the McCain camp "making fun" of his suggestion for people to make sure their car tires are properly inflated. McCain...

Posted on August 7, 2008 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- It's Getting Hot In Here
In response to John McCain's "celebrity" ad, Paris Hilton released a web video of her own on 8/5. See it here. McCain spokesperson Tucker Bounds, in a statement: "It sounds like Paris Hilton supports John McCain's 'all of the above'...

Posted on August 6, 2008 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Let's Make A Deal
There continued to be talk about Barack Obama saying he's open to offshore oil drilling if it's part of a comprehensive package. There was also reaction to Obama's 8/4 energy speech in Lansing, MI. McCain adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer, on whether...

Posted on August 5, 2008 09:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- They'll Always Have Paris
John McCain's new ad comparing Barack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton received a lot of attention last night. CNN's Bash: "The McCain camp says their ad was a buzz-generating attempt at satire, but some McCain allies tell us...

Posted on July 31, 2008 08:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Series Of Troubles
The indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) was the talk of the TV last night. CBS' Axelrod: "Stevens says he's not guilty, but if prosecutors prevail then Ted Stevens, who was a player in Alaska politics before Alaska was a...

Posted on July 30, 2008 08:51 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Make A Mountain Out Of A Mole
John McCain was on "LKL" last night, where he discussed his mole-like growth that was removed earlier in the day. McCain: "It was just a little spot on my face. I go to a routine check-up every three months. ......

Posted on July 29, 2008 08:43 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Location, Location, Location
NBC's Williams spoke with Barack Obama before and after his speech in Berlin. Obama, on the view from the stage: "It was a nice view." Williams: "When an American politician comes to Berlin, we've had some iconic utterances in the...

Posted on July 25, 2008 09:15 AM

Portman In The Mix?
Former OH congressman and Bush OMB Dir. Rob Portman will visit with John McCain today, a senior campaign advisor has confirmed for NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy. Portman is a rumored GOP VP option - although somewhat of a darkhorse pick...

Posted on July 24, 2008 04:17 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Back To The Future
Barack Obama and John McCain continued to make the TV rounds last night. ABC's Wright spoke with McCain. Wright, on McCain saying Obama would rather lose a war to win a political campaign: "That's pretty strong language. Do you really...

Posted on July 24, 2008 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Not Budging
CBS' Couric talked separately with Barack Obama and John McCain last night. Couric sat down with Obama in Jordan: Couric: "You raised a lot of eyebrows on this trip saying even knowing what you know now, you still would not...

Posted on July 23, 2008 09:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Right Kind Of Wrong
ABC's Moran sat down with Barack Obama in Baghdad 7/21. The interview aired last night on "Nightline." Some highlights: Obama, on what he first asked Gen. David Petraeus: "The question for me was, does he consider the games reversible when...

Posted on July 22, 2008 09:31 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Been There, Done That
CBS' Couric sat down with Al Gore to talk about his 7/17 energy speech and WH '08. Couric: "Senator [Barack] Obama said during the primaries season, there would be a place at the table for Al Gore, in an Obama...

Posted on July 18, 2008 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Flattery Will Get You Everywhere
A lot of last night's TV coverage focused on John McCain's 7/16 appearance before the NAACP nat'l convo in Cincinnati, OH. Ex-NAACP official/RNC's Shannon Reeves: "The goal not necessarily was in one speech to change someone's vote, but first to...

Posted on July 17, 2008 08:50 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No Surprises
Barack Obama made the TV rounds last night, appearing on PBS' "NewsHour" and CNN's "LKL." Some highlights: PBS' Ifill: "I would like to talk to you about Iraq. You gave a big speech on that subject today. A new poll...

Posted on July 16, 2008 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Cruel Intentions?
The New Yorker cover of Barack and Michelle Obama was the talk of the TV last night. New Yorker ed. David Remnick was in the "Situation Room" last night to discuss the cover. Remnick, asked if he would the cover...

Posted on July 15, 2008 09:38 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Gramm's Folly
Senator Phil Gramm's comments about the U.S. being a "nation of whiners" dominated last night's coverage. Ex-WH adviser David Gergen, on whether Gramm's comments undermine McCain's efforts: "If you look at the campaigns overall, yesterday, Jesse Jackson made a major...

Posted on July 11, 2008 09:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Middle Man
Talk continued last night about Barack Obama's shift toward the center. Ex-WH adviser David Gergen, on Obama reacting to attacks that he has moved to the center: "I happen to think this brouhaha will blow over, and he's better served...

Posted on July 9, 2008 09:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Get Your Ticket To The Barack Show
It was Barack Obama's decision to hold his Dem convo acceptance speech at INVESCO Field that had a lot of people talking. Radio talk show host Joe Madison: "One, I think the 76,000 stadium speech and event is going to...

Posted on July 8, 2008 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- 'Cause I Gotta Have Faith
In addition to talk about Gen. Wes Clark, a lot of last night's TV coverage focused on Barack Obama's plans to expand and alter Pres. Bush's faith-based initiatives. CNN's Toobin: "I remember way back when Barack Obama was a Democrat....

Posted on July 2, 2008 08:52 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Gonna Stand My Ground, Won't Be Turned Around...
Last night's TV coverage was dominated by Gen. Wesley Clark's comments about John McCain. Clark appeared on "Verdict." Clark: "I don't want to do anything to take away from this very important week when Barack Obama, the man I support...

Posted on July 1, 2008 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Welcome To The Gun Show
The SCOTUS' gun ruling was supported by John McCain and Barack Obama. McCain is now accusing Obama of reversing his position on the gun ban in DC, saying it is part of a pattern of flip-flopping by the Dem nominee....

Posted on June 27, 2008 09:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Colorful Language
Ralph Nader's interview with the Rocky Mountain News, as well as Barack Obama's reaction to it, was the talk of the TV last night. Nader: "There's only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic...

Posted on June 26, 2008 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- According To Jim
FNC's Hannity spoke with Focus on the Family founder James Dobson on his radio show about Dobson's radio segment accusing Barack Obama of "deliberately distorting" the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution. Parts of the interview ran...

Posted on June 25, 2008 09:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Casting A Black Shadow?
A lot of last night's TV coverage focused on the comments made by John McCain's adviser, Charlie Black. In an interview with Fortune, Black said a terrorist attack on U.S. soil would be a "big advantage" for McCain, and that...

Posted on June 24, 2008 08:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Show Me The Money!
Last night's TV coverage was dominated by Barack Obama's decision to reverse a long standing pledge and opt out of public financing. FNC's Cameron: "Having shattered all fund-raising records, Barack Obama's announcement was widely expected. ... Because of Obama's decision...

Posted on June 20, 2008 09:16 AM

Hotline After Dark -- In Remembrance
The 6/18 private memorial service for Tim Russert at the Kennedy Center was televised live on MSNBC. Here are some highlights from the "Remembrances": Ex-"Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw, opening the service: "I want you to know at the outset...

Posted on June 19, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- To Drill Or Not To Drill?
There was a lot of talk on the TV last night about John McCain coming out in favor of offshore oil drilling. FNC's Cameron: "Both candidates have shifted some of their energy views, but McCain's moving toward helping consumers more...

Posted on June 18, 2008 09:28 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Weird Science
Last night's TV primarily focused on Al Gore endorsing Barack Obama in Detroit, MI. Karl Rove: "This is sort of weird that he would wait this long, and then why do it in Michigan? Why do it in Detroit, Michigan,...

Posted on June 17, 2008 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Myth Busters
The severe weather in the MidWest and SCOTUS' Gitmo decision dominated TV coverage last night. There was also some talk about Barack Obama launching FightTheSmears.com, a website designed to "debunk smears and false rumors." CNBC's Harwood: "I don't think they...

Posted on June 13, 2008 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Trying To Be Provocative
On last night's "Situation Room," Dem strategist James Carville pushed for Al Gore to be Barack Obama's running mate. Carville: "If I was Senator Obama I would say the biggest economic problem we face is the biggest national security problem...

Posted on June 12, 2008 08:33 AM

ICYMI: McCain's Cash Intake
Pool report of John McCain's Tuesday evening finance events in NYC available after the jump. Quick summary: First event -- 60 attendees, about 80 tix sold at $28,500 a pop ($2.28M total). Second event -- was for 40 "Trailblazers"...

Posted on June 11, 2008 02:15 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Abso-f******-lutely Not!
OH Gov. Ted Strickland (D) was on NPR's "All Things Considered" yesterday, and he was asked whether he is auditioning for the VP nod by helping Barack Obama's efforts to win OH. Strickland: "Absolutely not. If drafted, I will not...

Posted on June 11, 2008 08:52 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Happy To Help
Ex-WH press sec. Scott McClellan appeared on "Countdown" last night to talk about why he agreed to testify before the House Judiciary Cmte on 6/20. McClellan: "The House Judiciary Committee reached out to me. They invited me to come testify....

Posted on June 10, 2008 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Secrets, Secrets Are No Fun
Last night it was reported Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were sitting down together. FNC's Van Susteren: "Democratic sources tell Fox News Channel they are meeting at Senator Dianne Feinstein's home" ("On the Record," 6/5). CNN's Crowley: "We do know...

Posted on June 6, 2008 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- One Step At A Time...
Last night's TV primarily focused on the breaking news that Hillary Clinton plans to suspend her campaign on 6/7. NPR's Williams: "She's not ending her campaign. She's simply suspending it. It allows her to retain control of those delegates that...

Posted on June 5, 2008 09:28 AM

Hotline After Dark -- We Have A Winner
Last night we provided continuous coverage of the SD and MT primaries, which led to Barack Obama being declared the presumptive Dem nominee for POTUS. Some highlights: "I think it's particularly poignant that in 2008, it comes exactly 200 years...

Posted on June 4, 2008 07:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- End Of The Line?
Last night, there was a lot of speculation about whether tonight's primaries in SD and MT will mark the end of Hillary Clinton's campaign. NBC's Mitchell: "Harold Ickes in his interview with me today said that it is symbolic that...

Posted on June 3, 2008 09:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Here We Go Again...
Speaking at Barack Obama's Trinity United Church this past weekend, Michael Pfleger, a white Catholic priest, mocked Hillary Clinton for having cried in NH and suggested that she cried because she felt entitled to the presidency. Obama denounced Pfleger's sermon,...

Posted on May 30, 2008 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Ex-WH press sec. Scott McClellan appeared on "Today" this a.m. to talk about his memoir. McClellan, on his hope for the book: "In some small way, it might help move us beyond the destructive partisan warfare of the past 15...

Posted on May 29, 2008 09:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Great Scott!
Last night's TV primarily focused on a breaking Politico report featuring exclusive details about ex-WH press sec. Scott McClellan's "scathing" new book, which is due out next week. Karl Rove, on McClellan's claim that he and Scooter Libby had a...

Posted on May 28, 2008 09:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Not The Wright Kind Of Wrong
Yesterday, CNN's Brian Todd delivered a breaking news report on John McCain's decision to reject the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee. Todd: "As a result of our inquiries today, John McCain makes a dramatic turnaround and rejects the endorsement of...

Posted on May 23, 2008 08:46 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Boozeless BBQ?
Late yesterday afternoon, the New York Times reported that John McCain will meet with FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) and LA Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) 5/23. Mitt Romney's name was also mentioned. This led to much speculation that McCain is...

Posted on May 22, 2008 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Another Day, Another Primary
Last night's TV coverage was dominated by Hillary Clinton's win in KY and Barack Obama's win in OR. Clinton supporter/PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D): "In the last three months ... she's won seven out of the ten primaries and won...

Posted on May 21, 2008 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Ties That Bind Us
There was very little talk of Hillary Clinton's expected win in KY and Barack Obama's expected win in OR. Instead, last night's TV focused on a variety of WH '08 topics, including John McCain nat'l finance co-chair/ex-Rep. Tom Loeffler (R-TX)...

Posted on May 20, 2008 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Coincidence? They Think Not.
A majority of last night's TV focused on Pres. Bush's "appeasement" statement in Israel, as well as Barack Obama's reaction to it. CNN's Henry: "For the president to lay out his definition of what an appeaser is, and for that...

Posted on May 16, 2008 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Double Whammy
John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama was the talk of the TV last night. NBC's Todd, asked if Obama gets Edwards' delegates: "He's likely to. ... These pledged delegates to Edwards are basically kind of like superdelegates. ... We've learned...

Posted on May 15, 2008 09:03 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Staying Alive
Hillary Clinton's big win in WV prompted a lot of discussion about what this means for Barack Obama, including his problem with white, working-class voters. Karl Rove: "It doesn't change much of the narrative about Senator Obama's weakness. In fact,...

Posted on May 14, 2008 08:50 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Mountain Mama
Last night's TV primarily focused on today's primary in WV. FNC's Garrett: "[Hillary Clinton's] advisers say if there's a huge turnout tomorrow and Clinton wins by more than 25, it will send a signal to all the 'know-it-alls inside the...

Posted on May 13, 2008 08:37 AM

Hotline After Dark -- General-ly Speaking
Barack Obama and John McCain made the TV rounds last night. Some highlights: In his first nat'l interview since the 5/6 primaries, Obama spoke with CNN's Blitzer. Obama, on the Time cover declaring him the "winner": "I don't want to...

Posted on May 9, 2008 09:20 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Should She Stay Or Should She Go Now?
A majority of last night's TV concentrated on whether Hillary Clinton should leave the race. FNC's Hume: "Even George McGovern, the man who devised this long primary process, says it's time for her to go" ("Special Report," 5/7). George McGovern,...

Posted on May 8, 2008 08:52 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Anchors Say The Darndest Things!
Last night we provided continuous coverage of Barack Obama's double-digit victory in NC and Hillary Clinton's narrow win in IN. Here are some of the more humorous highlights: Dem strategist Donna Brazile, to CNN's Dobbs: "You're my boo tonight. Lou's...

Posted on May 7, 2008 08:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Lucky Sevens?
There was a lot of speculation last night about today's primaries in IN and NC. Time's Halperin, on Barack Obama: "I think the best thing for him tomorrow is to do better than he's done with white working-class voters in...

Posted on May 6, 2008 09:29 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Not Your Average Joe
Last night's TV focused a lot on superdelegate/ex-DNC chair Joe Andrew switching his allegiance from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama. Andrew: "Well, I think the point I've made is we have a lot of important primaries yet to come. But...

Posted on May 2, 2008 09:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- There's A First Time For Everything
FNC's Bill O'Reilly caught up with Hillary Clinton in South Bend, IN. The two-part interview marks Clinton's first-ever appearance on the "O'Reilly Factor." Here are some highlights from part one: O'Reilly: "Can you believe this Reverend Wright guy? Can you...

Posted on May 1, 2008 09:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Breaking Point
Talk of Rev. Jeremiah Wright continued. Last night's TV focused on Barack Obama's presser. Obama: "In some ways, what Reverend Wright said yesterday directly contradicts everything that I've done during my life. ... I do not see that relationship being...

Posted on April 30, 2008 09:09 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Wrighting A Wrong?
Last night's TV was dominated by talk of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's public appearances, and whether they will hurt Barack Obama. Washington Post's Dionne: "The biggest problem for Obama is that he has wanted to transcend the old racial divide in...

Posted on April 29, 2008 08:54 AM

Hotline After Dark -- He's Baaaack
A majority of last night's TV focused on Rev. Jeremiah Wright's first broadcast interview with a journalist since the controversy over his remarks and relationship with Barack Obama. The interview, which was conducted by PBS' Bill Moyers, will air tonight,...

Posted on April 25, 2008 09:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Dis-ad-vantage?
A lot of last night's TV focused on the NC GOV ads that attack Barack Obama and Rev. Wright, as well as John McCain's request to the NC GOP to take them off the air. Politico's Simon, on the ad:...

Posted on April 24, 2008 10:56 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Morning After
Coverage of the PA primary continues. Here are some highlights after the race was called for Hillary Clinton by all of the networks: Syndicated columnist Mark Shields: "If one really wants to scrutinize the demographic that determines Hillary Clinton's going...

Posted on April 23, 2008 08:50 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Define Victory
The 4/22 PA primary dominated TV coverage last night. Pat Buchanan: "If [Obama] can't beat Hillary Clinton when he's the frontrunner and now outspent her two to one, he can't win Pennsylvania; can he take it away from John McCain?...

Posted on April 22, 2008 09:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Throw Dem Bows
Talk of the 4/16 Dem debate continued on TV last night. Most of the coverage focused on the performances of the moderators, ABC's Charlie Gibson and George Stephanopoulos, as well as the legitimacy of the questions posed to Barack Obama....

Posted on April 18, 2008 09:50 AM

Hotline After Dark -- "Yes, Yes, Yes"
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in Philly last night. The 90-minute Dem debate was hosted by ABC News at the Nat'l Constitution Center's Kimmel Theater. Some analysis: CNN's Crowley: "If I had to boil this debate down to...

Posted on April 17, 2008 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Getting Saucy
A majority of last night's TV focused on Pope Benedict XVI's U.S. arrival, but there was also a fair amount of WH '08 coverage. As part of "Hardball"'s college tour, John McCain appeared on the show at PA's Villanova Univ.:...

Posted on April 16, 2008 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Fight To The Bitter End?
Talk of Barack Obama's "bitter" comments continued to dominate TV last night: All three network newscasts led with coverage of Obama's remarks. ABC's Gibson: "Presidential politics is first. Because topic A continues to be what Barack Obama said about rural...

Posted on April 15, 2008 09:03 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Risky Business
After two days of cong. hearings and a meeting with Pres. Bush, Gen. David Petraeus made the TV rounds last night to talk about the progress of the Iraq war. NBC's Williams: "If your commander in chief said 'get out,'...

Posted on April 11, 2008 09:03 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Fanning The Flame
There was a lot of TV talk last night about the protests surrounding the Olympic torch but in political news talk centered on the upcoming NC and PA primaries: NBC's Todd: "North Carolina is going to be Hillary Clinton's 'Achilles...

Posted on April 10, 2008 08:49 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Questions Remain
The TV talk last night focused on the Iraq hearings and the '08ers questioning of Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker: CNN's McIntyre: "The question to General Petraeus today was how long will U.S. troops be stuck in Iraq?...

Posted on April 9, 2008 09:04 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Back To Congress Edition
With Gen. David Petraues testifying before Congress today, pundits predicted how the three '08ers will act in their questioning: CNN's Crowley: "I think right away we can say they're going to be seen as presidential candidates. This is now too...

Posted on April 8, 2008 08:55 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Working The Late Night Circuit
Hillary Clinton stopped by the "Tonight Show" last night: When she walked on stage for her interview she told host Jay Leno: "It is so great to be here. You know I was worried I wasn't going to make it....

Posted on April 4, 2008 09:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Back To School
Barack Obama was on the "Hardball" college tour last night. MSNBC's Matthews asked him: "What it's like to be a black kid with a white mom?" Obama: "What I think it did for me was to give me a perspective...

Posted on April 3, 2008 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Funny Guy
John McCain does media interviews again as he kicks off his bio tour. ABC's Claiborne: "McCain's tour ... is a way to get him back into the political spotlight, which has been dominated lately by Democrats" ("World News," 4/1). McCain...

Posted on April 2, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- We Could Be Heroes
There was a variety of WH '08 TV talk last night. First up, the reviews of John McCain's "Bio" tour: New Yorker's Lizza: "Look at the last four competitive elections. You had Kerry. You had Gore. You had the first...

Posted on April 1, 2008 09:33 AM

Hotline After Dark -- It's The Economy ...
Barack Obama made the media rounds last night: Asked if the party is hurt by the long-term battle between him and Hillary Clinton: "I don't think we are hurt long-term. I think short-term, there is gonna be work to do...

Posted on March 28, 2008 08:51 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Calling All Delegates
Hillary Clinton went "On the Record" last night: On her Rev. Wright comments: "I was asked ... very point-blank yesterday what I would have done had I been in a position where someone was, you know, making those kinds of...

Posted on March 27, 2008 08:49 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Say A Little Prayer
Most of the political talk last night focused on Hillary Clinton's comments about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and whether they were an attempt to distract from the discussions about her Bosnia trip as first lady: FNC's Angle: "With the truthfulness...

Posted on March 26, 2008 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Rough Landings
Most of the TV talk last night focused on Hillary Clinton's claims about her Bosnia trip as first lady with reporters who travelled with her giving their own versions of the trip: CBS' Sharyl Attkisson was with Clinton on the...

Posted on March 25, 2008 08:57 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Candidates' Clarify
Barack Obama continues his media rounds. CNN's Anderson Cooper spent a day in the life of Obama, following him during a NC visit. Obama will also appear on CNN's "LKL" tonight and on ABC's "The View" on 3/28. But first,...

Posted on March 20, 2008 08:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Reviews Are In
Naturally the focus of TV news last night was on Barack Obama's speech. Obama sat down with ABC's Moran after his address: Asked if he always planned to give a speech like this, Obama: "I expected that at some stage...

Posted on March 19, 2008 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Not So Sunny Days
Barack Obama sat down with PBS' Ifill for an extended interview that took place in PA. The interview was originally scheduled for last week but had to be rescheduled. In it he previewed this a.m.'s speech: Obama: "I think it...

Posted on March 18, 2008 08:50 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Who Has The Wright Of Way?
Last night's political talk focused on the controversial sermon given by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's minister at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago: The Hill's Stoddard: "The Barack Obama campaign rule was, if you offend somebody, you...

Posted on March 14, 2008 09:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Deluge Continues
The majority of the political talk last night focused on Geraldine Ferraro and her comments about Barack Obama: CNN's Malveaux broke the news of Ferraro's resignation: "I just got off the phone with Geraldine Ferraro, who simply said she is...

Posted on March 13, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- There Was A Primary?
Dems in Mississippi were voting yesterday but the majority of TV coverage focused on Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D-NY) and Geraldine Ferraro's comments on Barack Obama: Ferraro appeared on "GMA" this a.m. where she said: "Let me say to you how...

Posted on March 12, 2008 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Special Scandal Edition
It was, of course, talk of Eliot Spitzer that dominated cable news last night: CNN's Crowley: "I think this could actually go either way. I think it's very tough and you'd have to weigh on the side of he'll probably...

Posted on March 11, 2008 08:50 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Gone South
Talk of MI and FL's Dem delegates and what to do with them dominated the political discussion on TV last night: FNC's Angle summed up the situation: "Everyone seems to be gravitating toward a new vote but can't figure out...

Posted on March 7, 2008 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Campaign Calculus
Reporters and pundits practiced their math skills last night as delegate counts were the topic du jour. Most pundits pointed out that even if Hillary Clinton wins most of the remaining delegates, she still won't catch up to Barack Obama...

Posted on March 6, 2008 09:08 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Is Today The Day?
What will happen on 3/4 dominated TV last night: "Nightline" aired more of ABC's Moran's interview with Barack Obama: Obama, asked if he feels pressure to keep HRC from winning states: "I think the Clinton team has been very clever...

Posted on March 4, 2008 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Three Times The Fun
Here's the top political talk from last night: ABC's McFadden spent the day with Hillary Clinton in OH for a piece on "Nightline": Asked about her saying she hates being the frontrunner: "Because you're the big target. I'm still being...

Posted on February 29, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Preview Of What's To Come?
The talk between John McCain and Barack Obama on Iraq netted the two men some TV coverage last night. But before we get to that Hillary Clinton sat down with PBS' Woodruff: Asked if the 2/26 Dem debate will affect...

Posted on February 28, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No Debate About It
Another day, another debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Here's some of the post-game anaylsis: MSNBC's Olbermann: "Ninety minutes of them, now about 85 minutes of us" (2/26). MSNBC's Matthews: "I think we learned tonight why Americans like high-scoring...

Posted on February 27, 2008 09:33 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Picture's Worth ...
Most of the TV talk last night concerned the Hillary Clinton campaign -- with pundits trying to figure out exactly what strategy the senator is employing. There was also plenty of talk on the photo of Barack Obama in native...

Posted on February 26, 2008 09:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Debates, McCain, the Media, Oh My!
Two big news stories dominated the media coverage last -- the Dem debate on CNN and the continued fallout from the New York Times' story on John McCain: Beginning with reactions to the debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama:...

Posted on February 22, 2008 09:36 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Special John McCain Edition
The late-breaking news from the New York Times on John McCain got plenty of coverage on the cable nets and lead all the morning shows. McCain also held a presser this a.m. with wife Cindy by his side, where he...

Posted on February 21, 2008 09:16 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Feeling The Love
There was a lot of talk on TV last night about the shootings at Northern Illinois University. But here are the political highlights: John McCain was on "LKL" last night: Asked if he was surprised at Romney's endorsement: "I was...

Posted on February 15, 2008 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Straight From The Heart
Last night's TV coverage mainly focused on Roger Clemens' testimony and WH '08. Mike Huckabee was on the "O'Reilly Factor": Huckabee, on VA: "We had a good night in the sense that we won everything outside the beltway. We didn't...

Posted on February 14, 2008 09:24 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Off To The Polls
Michelle Obama was on "LKL" last night: On Obama: "He wouldn't have taken us down this path if he didn't think that he had a very good shot at it. And that's something that we talked about. I mean I...

Posted on February 12, 2008 09:03 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Getting Tighter Than A Tube Sock
With Mitt Romney suspending his campaign, pundits discussed its ripple effects on the '08 race: JUST A MATTER OF TIME? There was discussion of whether or not Mike Huckabee would drop out: CNN's J. King, on Huckabee: "Some believe that...

Posted on February 8, 2008 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A "Political Hangover"
In the aftermath of Super Tuesday, and dealing with "political hangovers" as some pundits put it, the talking heads looked back on country's first so-called national primary: REPORTERS START VYING FOR PUERTO RICO ASSIGNMENT There was a lot of discussion...

Posted on February 7, 2008 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Ready For The Big Day
The night before Super Tuesday, the nets focused on the big day: Hillary Clinton stopped by the "Late Show" and, when asked what ex-Pres. Clinton's role would be in her WH, debuted a new line: "In my White House we'll...

Posted on February 5, 2008 10:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Not Quite Fight Night
The Dem debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was the big news of the evening. Here are the immediate pundit reax: CNN's Crowley: "They both decided going into this that the arguing and the bickering, which really reached a...

Posted on February 1, 2008 09:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Endorsements, Dropouts, And Debates
With a GOP debate, Rudy Giuliani endorsing John McCain and John Edwards abandoning his WH bid, TV had plenty to talk about last night. We lead off with the debate talk, which focused on the tensions between McCain and Mitt...

Posted on January 31, 2008 09:40 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Sunny Days
Between Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama, Pres. Bush's SOTU, and today's FL vote, TV was in full on coverage mode: National Journal's Cook, on Kennedy's endorsement: "We'll see if it helps with Hispanic voters. I mean, the thing is,...

Posted on January 29, 2008 10:02 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Picture's Worth ...
On the "Today" show this a.m., NBC's Lauer showed a picture of Hillary Clinton and ex-Pres. Clinton with lobbyist Tony Rezko. Lauer said NBC did not know when the pic was taken but thought it was when Bill Clinton was...

Posted on January 25, 2008 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Another Clinton Clash
Lots of '08ers on TV last night but first another clash between ex-Pres. Clinton and a reporter: CNN showed footage of ex-Pres. Clinton aruging with CNN's Jessica Yellin when she asked him about the arguments with Obama's campaign. Clinton: "Long...

Posted on January 24, 2008 09:01 AM

Hotline After Dark -- TV's Busy Day
Lots of talk on TV last night about the stock market and the death of actor Heath Ledger. But here are the hightlights of the political coverage: CNN played a clip of Barack Obama talking to CBN's Brody, addressing an...

Posted on January 23, 2008 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No Debate About It
There was a Dem debate last night. Here's what the pundits had to say about it: CNN's Cooper: "An unprecedented debate in Myrtle Beach. And, if you thought the last several weeks on the campaign trail have been tough, it's...

Posted on January 22, 2008 09:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Two Times The Fun
With the NV caucuses and the SC GOP choosing their candidate tomorrow, the TV networks turned their eye to those two states: Reno Gazette-Journal's Damon: "Romney is the only Republican candidate to build a significant organization here. Ron Paul, on...

Posted on January 18, 2008 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- About Obama ...
As the nets look ahead to NV and SC, they turn to the '08ers for their takes: Hillary Clinton was on "Money & Politics": Asked if she doubts the economy has replaced Iraq as the top issue for voters: "No,...

Posted on January 17, 2008 09:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Wolverines At The Polls
Mitt Romney continues to make the TV rounds as voters got to the polls today in MI: Romney was on "Money & Politics": Asked if he has to win MI to stay relevant: "I don't think so. It's a 50-state...

Posted on January 15, 2008 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Debate Continues
After the GOP debate hosted by FNC in SC, the candidates appeared on "Hannity & Colmes": John McCain: "The major concern of conservatives is this nation's security. The war in Iraq, the struggle against radical Islamic extremism -- they respect...

Posted on January 11, 2008 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hindsight Is 20/20
There was still talk of how the media called it wrong in New Hampshire: Dem pollster Peter Hart: "What it really comes down, in my estimation, is, they stopped polling too soon" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 1/9). Politico's Simon: "The take away...

Posted on January 10, 2008 09:43 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Primary Day Madness
As people in NH are voting, the candidates take to the airwaves: Ron Paul was on the "Tonight Show": On not being included in the 1/6 Fox debate: "I realized that they really had some property rights ability there, and...

Posted on January 8, 2008 09:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Caucus Day
It was all about Iowa on the tube last night and we'll lead off with some CW from the people covering it: NBC's Russert: "I have asked every campaign, alright, totally off the record, gut check, deep down, what's going...

Posted on January 3, 2008 09:40 AM

Hotline After Dark -- TV's Time To Caucus
Lots of '08 news and '08ers on TV last night: Mike Huckabee was on "Hannity & Colmes" last night: On his ad against Romney: "We didn't run the ad. ... We pulled it. I knew that if we said we...

Posted on January 2, 2008 09:08 AM

Hotline After Dark -- State by State
Once again, there were many '08ers on the tube last night: Rudy Giuliani was in the "Situation Room" last night: Asked about Huckabee saying the admin is "arrogant" on foreign policy: "During the campaign, we all write things and say...

Posted on December 20, 2007 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- All About The Candidates
Once again, a night of '08ers ... John Edwards appeared on "Hardball" last night: Asked if the fighting between HRC and Obama will give him a win in IA: "I have no idea. I mean, there's been some fussing...

Posted on December 19, 2007 09:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- When Candidates Attack
It was a night of '08ers on TV last night: Mike Huckabee was on "LKL" last night: On allegations that his son David was involved in abusing a stray dog at a Boy Scout camp in '98 and that he...

Posted on December 18, 2007 09:29 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Another Dull Debate?
Here's your post-Dem debate TV talk: CNN's Crowley: "You have never seen six such agreeable people." More: "Nobody slipped up. Nobody stuck out" ("AC 360," 12/13). CQ's Crawford: "Nobody was on steroids during that debate, I can tell you that"...

Posted on December 14, 2007 09:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Bore The Pundits!!!
Mike Huckabee continues to make the TV rounds: Asked about the NYT's mag piece: "The reporter was actually telling me things about the Mormon faith that I didn't know, and I was asking and even said in the story, it...

Posted on December 13, 2007 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hammer Time
The hits keep coming at Mike Huckabee: NBC's Myers examined the gifts Huckabee received as AR GOV in a piece for "Nightly News": Myers: "Financial disclosure forms reveal in more than 10 years, Huckabee and his wife took hundreds of...

Posted on December 12, 2007 08:58 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Crunch Time
'08ers continue to dominate the TV: Mitt Romney was on the "Evening News" last night: Asked why he didn't explain the tenants of faith in his speech: "I can't imagine doing that other speech as you're running for president because,...

Posted on December 11, 2007 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Reviews Are In
The reviews are in of Mitt Romney's speech. Talk of it dominated the airwaves last night: MSNBC's Shuster: "Most of the reaction came from observers on television, not the candidates in the race" ("Hardball," 12/6). FNC's Cameron: "Like Kennedy, Romney...

Posted on December 7, 2007 08:58 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hard Times For Huckabee
Lots of talk last night about Mike Huckabee and his role in convicted rapist Wayne Dumond's release from prison: ABC's Gibson, on Huckabee: "People are beginning to take a closer look at his record" ("World News," 12/5). Huckabee, on the...

Posted on December 6, 2007 09:07 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Gone To Press
Pres. Bush's presser got a good bit of coverage last night: CNN's Henry: "Classic President Bush. Confronted with new facts on Iran, he insisted the national intelligence estimate changes nothing" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 12/4). ABC's Raddatz: "The president was adamant...

Posted on December 5, 2007 08:56 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Media Likes Mike
Lots of '08 talk last night: Mike Huckabee continues to get a lot of attention. ABC's Donvan joined Huckabee in IA for a piece on "Nightline": Donvan, on Huckabee: "The humor usually gets him somewhere serious." Huckabee, on not running...

Posted on December 4, 2007 09:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- You Asked For It
Mike Huckabee made the TV rounds last night: Huckabee, asked why WH '08 GOPers are "submitting to religious vetting about" their "belief in the literal nature of the Bible": "When guys like you quit asking it, we'll quit answering it....

Posted on November 30, 2007 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Get Some Reaction
Here is some reaction to last night's WH'08 GOP CNN/YouTube debate in FL: Ex-WH adviser David Gergen: "On style, I think that the most presidential tonight were John McCain, who has found his voice again. ... And I thought Rudy...

Posted on November 29, 2007 09:08 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Experience This
Last night's TV primarily focused on the Annapolis Summit and the death of NFL's Sean Taylor, but a few WH '08ers made appearances: Joe Biden was on "NewsHour" as part of their WH '08 series: Biden, on his full-page ad...

Posted on November 28, 2007 09:02 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Foreign Affair
WH '08ers made the TV rounds last night. In "Nightline"'s latest installment of "The Contenders," ABC's Moran spent a day with Barack Obama on the campaign trail in IA: Obama: "Senator Clinton is claiming basically the entire eight years of...

Posted on November 27, 2007 09:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Obama's Night
There was a lot of TV talk last night about Barack Obama and the state of his campaign, particularly his response to Bob Novak's column this past week: NBC's Gregory: "Obama has appeared more forceful on the campaign trail" ("Nightly...

Posted on November 20, 2007 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Architect Returns
Karl Rove took part in C-SPAN's Distance Learning classroom 11/15 and was asked about the WH '08ers: Asked what his reax would have been if told months ago Giuliani would be leading in nat'l polls: "I would have raised an...

Posted on November 16, 2007 08:54 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Project Campaign
Mitt Romney was on the "Live Desk" 11/14: Asked about Giuliani saying he's concentrating his campaign on the 2/5 states: "If you go to Iowa and New Hampshire you'll see that Mayor Giuliani and his surrogates and his advertisements and...

Posted on November 15, 2007 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Nothing To Fear But ...
Tom Tancredo was in the "Situation Room" to discuss his new ad airing in IA: Asked if he's using fear to get votes: "I'm using reality. I am asking all of the candidates who are involved in this race --...

Posted on November 14, 2007 09:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- After Dinner Conversation
A variety of WH '08 talk dominated TV last night: Barack Obama adviser David Axelrod played "Hardball" last night: On Obama's J-J speech: "He said on Saturday night, this is a very different time. I think people are very, very...

Posted on November 13, 2007 09:09 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Show Us The Candidates
Lots of '08ers on TV again last night: ABC's Tapper talked with Rudy Giuliani in IA for "Nightline": Asked if he's worried the Bernard Kerik indictment will cause people to disregard his own record as a prosecutor: "No. I think...

Posted on November 9, 2007 09:41 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Who's Your Daddy?
Lots of endorsement talk last night: Sam Brownback was on "Hardball" to talk about his endorsement of John McCain: Brownback: "John is the full package. He's a fiscal conservative. He's got a 24-year pro-life voting record. He's a pro-life candidate...

Posted on November 8, 2007 08:57 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Night Of The '08ers
Lots of '08ers on the tube last night: CNN's Crowley sat down with Hillary Clinton on the CNN Election Express: On the 10/30 Dem debate: "I understand the necessity for criticism. We are getting toward the end of a very...

Posted on November 7, 2007 09:33 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Dem Delight
John Edwards was in the "Situation Room" last night: Asked if he would cut off military aid to Pakistan: "What I would do is use the great leverage that we have with Musharraf and the Pakistani government, which is aid....

Posted on November 6, 2007 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No License To Drive
Rudy Giuliani spoke with CNBC's Kudlow: On Biden's attack at him at the Dem debate: "The president of the United States is a tough job, everybody knows that. It's not a place for on the job experience and Joe was...

Posted on November 2, 2007 09:58 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Spin Cycle
Still lots of talk about the Dem debate last night: CNN's Crowley: "Literally and figuratively, Hillary Clinton was center stage last night. It's a familiar position for her, but last night not an altogether comfortable place" ("Situation Room," 10/31). MSNBC's...

Posted on November 1, 2007 09:38 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Here's Ron
Coming in today's Hotline -- all your post-debate analysis, but first, Ron Paul was on the "Tonight Show" last night: Jay Leno started off by asking him about his career as a doctor, including how many babies he's delivered. Paul:...

Posted on October 31, 2007 09:35 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bringing Back The I Word
Mitt and Ann Romney sat down with FNC's Hannity: M. Romney, asked what he thinks of HRC: "I'm sure she's a lovely person. I just think she would take America in a course towards Europe, which would lead us to...

Posted on October 30, 2007 09:40 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Just Google It
TV once again, was heavy on the coverage of the CA wildfire. However, there was a little political news: ABC's Tapper joined Fred Thompson on the campaign trail in FL for "Nightline": Thompson, on his campaign: "I do things my...

Posted on October 26, 2007 09:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- So Far, It's A Red Sox Nation
TV, once again, was mostly coverage of the CA wildfires: Duncan Hunter played "Hardball" last night: Asked how he accounted for the differences between the people evacuated by the CA wildfires and those evacuated by Katrina: "I went in with...

Posted on October 25, 2007 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Fire Coverage Burns Bright
Lots of coverage of the CA wildfires last night: CNN's Henry, on Pres. Bush's trip to CA: "This administration burned so much by Hurricane Katrina, the slow response, they obviously want to show that they have learned lessons, that they...

Posted on October 24, 2007 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Eternal Plame
Lots of coverage of the CA wildfires on TV last night but here are highlights from last night's political news: Valerie Plame Wilson continued her TV rounds, appearing on "LKL" last night: Wilson, on the CIA editing out large chunks...

Posted on October 23, 2007 09:09 AM

Hotline After Dark -- TV Likes Mike
Sam Brownback drops out of the WH race and Mike Huckabee gets a lot of TV interviews: Huckabee was profiled on "World News Tonight" as part of its "Who Is" series: Huckabee: "I still remember my father taking me to...

Posted on October 19, 2007 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- All About Tonight
Barack Obama appeared on the "Tonight Show" last night: On Lynne Cheney saying he and Dick Cheney are eighth cousins: "How 'bout that? Not kissing cousins. ... I actually did know. People have been doing these genealogical studies of me,...

Posted on October 18, 2007 09:04 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Second Acts
Judith Giuliani proves there are second acts in life with her interview on "Hannity & Colmes" last night: Rudy and Judith Giuliani were on "Hannity & Colmes" last night: J. Giuliani, asked to tell people about herself: "Well, I have...

Posted on October 17, 2007 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The View From The Couch
Hillary Clinton was on "The View" 10/15: On the difference of running as a woman: "Look how much longer it takes for me to get ready." More: "I do think that there still is, you know, probably a tougher standard...

Posted on October 16, 2007 09:07 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Before The Gore Coverage Begins
The '08ers continue to get in their tube time: Hillary Clinton was on "Countdown" last night: On the GOPers mentioning her at their debate: "I guess if you don't have anything positive to say about yourself or your record or...

Posted on October 12, 2007 09:08 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor ...
There was still a lot of post-debate talk last night but we'll focus on the '08ers who were on TV last night: John Edwards was on "NewsHour" as part of their WH '08 series: Asked if the country is in...

Posted on October 11, 2007 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Law And Disorder
Fred Thompson joins his first GOP debate and dominates the post-pundit talk: Newsweek's Fineman: "Overall Rudy did himself the most good. And I think it was interesting that he took on Romney, because Romney is still ahead in the polls...

Posted on October 10, 2007 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Candidates' Night
Lots of '08ers on the tube again last night: PBS' Woodruff talked with Dennis Kucinich as part of "NewsHour" WH '08 candidate series: On Iraq: "I have a plan that would bring our troops home and stabilize Iraq at the...

Posted on October 5, 2007 09:28 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Ladies Night
Lots of '08ers on last night: Fred and Jeri Thompson sat down with FNC's Hannityt: J. Thompson, on reports she wields the power behind her husband's campaign: "If I had time to do that it would be a different story,...

Posted on October 4, 2007 09:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Show Me The Money!
CNN's Crowley talked with Barack Obama in Chicago: Asked about saying he wasn't sure what he would have done on Iraq if he'd been in the Senate since he didn't have access to intel data: "The only time when I...

Posted on October 3, 2007 08:52 AM

Hotline After Dark -- America's Next Top Candidate
Barack Obama was on the "Tyra Banks Show" 10/1: Tyra Banks offered Obama gift suggestions for his upcoming 15th wedding anniversary, which is the crystal anniversary. Banks suggested a crystal vase or a crystal ball. She show Obama the crystal...

Posted on October 2, 2007 09:03 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Speaker Has The Floor
Still a lot of TV talk last night on Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in the "Situation Room": On Iraq: "We changed the debate on the war. We put a bill on the president's desk which said...

Posted on September 26, 2007 08:46 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Doubling Down
Lots of talk about Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on TV last night but here are the political highlights: Bill Richardson was on "NewsHour" as part of their '08 candidates series: On Iraq: "A political compromise can only happen only if...

Posted on September 25, 2007 08:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- By Grabthar's hammer, You Shall Be Avenged!
Dan Rather was on "LKL" last night: On why he's suing: "Two reasons, two core reasons. In no particular order -- although I do think the most important reason is somebody sometime has got to take a stand and say...

Posted on September 21, 2007 08:51 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Tighter Than A Tube Sock
CNN's J. King sat down with Rudy Giuliani in London: Giuliani, on saying the U.S. will stop Iran if it pursues nuclear weapons: "The reality is we don't want them laboring under misimpression that we wouldn't take action. And they'll...

Posted on September 20, 2007 08:51 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Taser Talk
More of your non-O.J. news, but plenty of taser talk: Hillary Clinton was on "All Things Considered" to talk about her health care plan but she was also asked about taking money from Norman Hsu: HRC: "Well, I think it...

Posted on September 19, 2007 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Deja View
Here's your non-O.J. news from last night: Barack Obama talked with NBC's Williams on the "Nightly News" last night. Williams introed the piece with: "Obama was here in New York. He gave a speech at the Nasdaq. ... He then...

Posted on September 18, 2007 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- How Many '08ers Can You Fit On Cable?
Lots of analysis after Pres. Bush's speech: CNN's Cooper: "Mr. Bush said al Qaeda 12 times. General Petraeus got eight mentions. Surge got six, and getting no mention whatsoever, the word victory" ("AC 360," 9/13). CNN's Crowley: "The president's plan...

Posted on September 14, 2007 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Baghdad Blues
Lots of '08ers on TV last night: Mitt Romney was on "Your World": Asked if he regrets the Fred Thompson web site: "Oh, of course. And it was not, of course, from our campaign. No one from our campaign put...

Posted on September 13, 2007 09:36 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Rudy's Role
Iraq was again the dominate TV topic last night: CNN's Yellin: "This time, the biting questions came not only from Democrats, but also from Republicans deeply skeptical of the strategy in Iraq" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 9/11). FNC's Garrett: "Democrats spent...

Posted on September 12, 2007 09:07 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Not Ready To Move On
Lots of talk about Gen. David Petraeus' and Amb. Ryan Crocker's testimony last night: Petraeus spoke with FNC's Hume: "I do believe there will be further reductions in forces. ... There are not dates attached to these. ... But the...

Posted on September 11, 2007 09:47 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Right (Or Wrong?) Said Fred
Fred Thompson was on "Hannity & Colmes" last night: On why he chose to announce on the "Tonight Show": "Well, it gives me an opportunity to see more people, talk to more people. I think it is a good way...

Posted on September 7, 2007 10:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Debate Minus One
FNC hosted a GOP debate last night. Some analysis: FNC's Cameron: "Romney faced some pretty tough questioning, and at times labored through his answers. But as the front-runner in New Hampshire, he came in expecting to have a target on...

Posted on September 6, 2007 09:40 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Someone Forgot To Call No Take Backs
The late-breaking news that Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) may change his mind about resigning sent the cable nets into a tail spin: FNC's Garrett: "Craig's Republican colleagues do not want to see this revisited. This is not a welcome development....

Posted on September 5, 2007 09:39 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Craig's List
Still lots of Larry Craig talk last night: CNN's Bash: "Privately, influential Idaho Republicans tell CNN they think Craig will be forced to step down. ... Several Idaho Republican sources say Craig's problems here are compounded because many supporters are...

Posted on August 30, 2007 09:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Tale Of Two Senators
ABC's Woodruff reported on Sen. Ted Johnson's (D-SD) recovery for "Nightline": Johnson, on the day of his stroke: "I remember that time, and all the way to the emergency room -- ambulance ride, the emergency room. And then I become...

Posted on August 29, 2007 07:24 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Special Resignation Edition
Talk of AG Alberto Gonzales' resignation dominated the airwaves last night. CBS' Schieffer, on who will be the next AG: "No decisions have been made. It may take them two weeks to come up with a successor" ("Evening News," 8/27)....

Posted on August 28, 2007 09:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Politics And Religion -- It's All TV Needs
Barack Obama appeared on the "Daily Show" last night: Asked if the "insanity" of the process has sunk in yet: "Every day it reveals itself in new way. I think that's part of what people are looking at our campaign...

Posted on August 23, 2007 09:05 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Your Money Edition
Lots of '08 talk last night: Chris Dodd played "Hardball": On Iraq: "Whether it's Prime Minister Maliki or someone else, you need leadership in the country that has the capacity, both religious and political leaders, to bring these elements together....

Posted on August 22, 2007 08:58 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hurricane A Coming
Hurricane Dean dominated TV news last night but there was still some political talk -- a bit on the 8/19 Dem debate in IA and on Karl Rove's obsession with Hillary Clinton: Newsweek's Alter, on Rove attacking HRC: "He knows...

Posted on August 21, 2007 08:34 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Funniest Person On Television
John Edwards played "Hardball" last night: Asked why he thought Barack Obama called Hillary Clinton divisive: "The reality is people in this country either love Hillary Clinton or they don't, and that's just the way she is, in many cases,...

Posted on August 16, 2007 08:35 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Defender Of The Times
There were lots of '08ers on TV last night: Rudy Giuliani was on the "O'Reilly Factor": Asked about the New York Times' stories on his family and private life: "I've been dealing with the New York Times since the day...

Posted on August 15, 2007 09:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Goodbye Karl Rove Edition
Karl Rove's departure and legacy was the subject of much discussion last night: ABC's Gibson: "From the time the president took the oath of office Karl Rove has been the most powerful unelected man in Washington. ... Any picture you...

Posted on August 14, 2007 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Mark Your Calendars
Lots of '08ers were on TV last night: Chris Dodd was in the "Situation Room" to discuss the Spanish language debate: On his Spanish language skills: "I was in the Peace Corps in Latin America, in the Dominican Republic. And...

Posted on August 9, 2007 08:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Love's Labor Gained
Lots of post-debate analysis to start off your morning: MSNBC's Matthews: "It was not an NFL football game, but it was pretty close" (8/7). NBC's Todd: "Clinton found out she had allies tonight in Dodd and Biden, and I think...

Posted on August 8, 2007 08:41 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Mad About Mitt
Most of cable TV last night focused on the trapped UT miners. In political news, Mitt Romney's abortion stance will still the topic of much debate. MSNBC's Matthews opened his show with: "Sometimes you wonder what these people really expect...

Posted on August 7, 2007 08:55 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Twin Heartache Edition
Cable news went into breaking news mode after the bridge collapse in Minneapolis last night. But before that happened there was some political news. Barack Obama did some interviews after his Pakistan speech: Obama sat down with ABC's Tapper...

Posted on August 2, 2007 09:30 AM

Hotline After Dark -- One Man, Double Duty
VP Cheney was on "LKL" last night, where he discussed Iraq, reiterated his support for AG Gonzales, didn't rule out another post in a GOP admin, and stayed out of WH '08 (except to take a swipe at HRC): Asked...

Posted on August 1, 2007 09:48 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Doctor Is In
Lots of '08ers on TV last night: Mike Huckabee and Bill Richardson were in the "Situation Room" for a joint interview: Huckabee, asked if troops could be out of Iraq by the end of the year: "First of all, even...

Posted on July 31, 2007 09:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Clash of the Titans
Lots of good TV last night: Two days ago NBC cameras caught up with Barack Obama. Yesterday, CNN cameras happen to catch up with Hillary Clinton: Clinton: "This is getting kind of silly. You know, I've been called a lot...

Posted on July 27, 2007 08:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Special Stake Out Edition
NBC News caught up with Barack Obama for an on-camera interview about his spat with Hillary Clinton. NBC's Mitchell: "He's taken their fight to a new level." Obama: "What is irresponsible and naive is to have authorized a war without...

Posted on July 26, 2007 08:46 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Ladies Night
We'll spare you the details of Lindsay Lohan's arrest, but we will give you the highlights of Chris Matthew's interviews with the Obama Girl Amber Lee Ettinger, Hot4Hill Girl Taryn Southern, and Giuliani Girl Adolina Kristina: Ettinger, on why she...

Posted on July 25, 2007 08:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Will Video Kill The Anchor Star?
The first DNC-sanction debate was last night: CNN's Cooper: "YouTube got nearly 3,000 video clips. Thirty-nine of them actually made it into the debate" ("AC 360," 7/23). FNC's Cameron: "This was supposed to be the intersection, the debate in which...

Posted on July 24, 2007 08:27 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No Harry Potter Spoilers Here
Iraq continues to dominate the cable news, with most of the discussion being about the Pentagon briefing and Amb. Crocker's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte: CNN's McIntyre: "Two things seem increasingly clear from today's developments. Congress is...

Posted on July 20, 2007 08:33 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Iraq Still TV's Favorite Topic
Joe Biden was on the "NewsHour" to discuss the situation in Iraq: Asked how he'd decide whether or not to leave troops there: "If there's a political settlement and the international community's imperator is on it, and it's real, I...

Posted on July 19, 2007 08:29 AM

Hotline After Dark -- All Night Long
The Senate's all-nighter got its desired cable coverage: CNN's Bash: "Democrats are trying to use the publicity from this all-nighter ... essentially to try to pressure Republicans, more and more Republicans who we have seen lately come out and say...

Posted on July 18, 2007 08:32 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Sleepover Special
Lots of different political topics on TV last night -- reax to David Vitter's presser, several '08ers made appearances, and Iraq is always a television mainstay: CNN's Crowley, on Vitter's presser: "It's always very powerful to have the wife up...

Posted on July 17, 2007 08:35 AM

Hotline After Dark -- House Of Cards
Last night's TV mainly focused on reports that al Qaeda has built itself back up to the strongest it has been since pre-9/11. There was also discussion on the House voting 223-201 to get all U.S. combat forces out of...

Posted on July 13, 2007 09:46 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Chronic Fatigue
Last night's TV was dominated by DHS Sec. Michael Chertoff's "gut feeling" that there be a terrorist attack this summer. Talk of Iraq also continued: FNC's Garrett: "National Security Advisor Steven Hadley traveled to Capitol Hill today and appealed for...

Posted on July 12, 2007 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Taming The Salvage Beast
Iraq, Pres. Bush's speech in OH, and John McCain's campaign shakeup were the dominant issues on TV last night: FNC's Barnes: "The idea of the benchmarks is not that they were supposed to all be met at the beginning of...

Posted on July 11, 2007 09:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Panic In The War Room
Last night's TV mainly focused on Iraq and Pres. Bush invoking exec. privilege to deny requests by Congress for testimony from ex-WH counsel Harriet Miers and ex-WH Pol. Dir. Sara Taylor. ABC's Raddatz: "ABC News has been told the White...

Posted on July 10, 2007 09:42 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200
The nets went into breaking news mode as Pres. Bush commuted Scooter Libby's sentence: MSNBC's Shuster: "There was every expectation that at the end of the day, Scooter Libby was not going to be serving in prison" ("Countdown," 7/2). ABC's...

Posted on July 3, 2007 08:56 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Happiest Day of Lou Dobbs' Life Edition
The defeat of the immigration bill dominated last night's political talk: CNN's Dobbs: "A crushing defeat for President Bush and the Senate's democratic leadership on amnesty, a glorious victory for the American people" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 6/28). NBC's Russert: "It's...

Posted on June 29, 2007 08:42 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Day After Edition
There was a hodge podge of topics on TV last night -- from immigration to VP Cheney to Paris Hilton but the big political interview was John Edwards on "Hardball": On Elizabeth's call to Ann Coulter: "Elizabeth made this decision...

Posted on June 28, 2007 08:31 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Playing Hardball
Ann Coulter got an entire hour of "Hardball" last night and Elizabeth Edwards called in to say this: "I'm calling -- you know, in the South, when someone does something that displeases us, we want to ask them politely to...

Posted on June 27, 2007 08:52 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Domino Effect?
John and Elizabeth Edwards were on the "Tonight Show" last night: Jay Leno: "Now, you guys have a 30th wedding anniversary coming up. Now, I know you being a cheapskate, don't you go to Wendy's every year?" J. Edwards: "Every...

Posted on June 26, 2007 08:57 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Ralphing It Up
Ralph Nader made the TV rounds last night: Nader: "I wish someone else would run on the progressive banner. ... But they don't want to do it. And this politics stinks so badly that it drives out good candidates. Good...

Posted on June 22, 2007 09:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- We Wanna Be Like Mike
Michael Bloomberg continued to be the talk of TV. Note: Bloomberg was on "NewsHour" last night in a joint interview with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. However, this pre-taped interview was conducted before he made the announcement about his party...

Posted on June 21, 2007 08:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Always Independent
Leading the political news was Mayor Michael Bloomberg's decision to switch his voter registration: NBC's Russert: "This strategy is quite simple. He's positioning himself for a potential, potential, underscore potential independent run for the presidency. He will make a decision...

Posted on June 20, 2007 08:31 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Mormonism 101
NBC's Allen gave a primer on the Mormon religion on last night's "Nightly News": "The Mormon church ... is relatively young -- founded in the 1830s -- a brief history that has been a constant struggle for acceptance. ... Now...

Posted on June 19, 2007 08:56 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Scootin' Along
Scooter Libby's jail sentence and the return of the immigration bill were the main political news last night: MSNBC's Shuster: "At this point, the only thing that could essentially keep Scooter Libby from reporting to prison in the next six...

Posted on June 15, 2007 08:34 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Did You Get Your Subpoena?
The subpoenas of ex-WH pol. dir. Sara Taylor and ex-WH counsel Harriet Miers dominated the political news last night: ABC's Greenburg: "This is the most significant clash between the White House and Congress since President Bush took office. Congress is...

Posted on June 14, 2007 09:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Fred And Jay Edition
Immigration was the main topic of TV last night: PBS' Holman: "The last time President Bush took his motorcade to the Capitol for a Tuesday policy lunch with Senate Republicans was six years ago" ("NewsHour," 6/12). FNC's Baier: "Bush tried...

Posted on June 13, 2007 08:58 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Stop Believing
TV went dark on political coverage as there was lots of talk on the ending of the "Sopranos" but there was some shop talk, mainly on the fact the Senate didn't quite get the vote it wanted on AG Alberto...

Posted on June 12, 2007 08:40 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Special Celebrity Edition
There were two main topics on TV last night: the immmigration bill and Paris Hilton. We'll stick with immigration: CNN's Bash: "If there was anything that should have gotten accomplished here in Washington, this was it. This immigration bill has...

Posted on June 8, 2007 08:58 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Drawing Straws
A relatively quiet night of TV with a hodge podge of topics -- the immigration debate, more fallout from the GOP debate, the missing KS teenager's body found, and Rudy Giuliani's decision to not participate in the Ames, IA, straw...

Posted on June 7, 2007 08:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Right Said Fred
While the GOP field debated on CNN, Fred Thompson had FNC's Hannity all to himself: Hannity: “Let's talk about where you stand now. You've created a testing the waters committee. It allows you to raise money, hire staff, gauge support....

Posted on June 6, 2007 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Heart And Soul Edition
Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) was indicted and TV was on the story: CNN’s Cooper: “The alleged crime spanned two continents, and the sentence could add up to more than two centuries” (“AC 360,” 6/4). CNN’s Toobin: “This is just an...

Posted on June 5, 2007 08:06 AM

Hotline After Dark: What's Going Around
The Atlanta man under federal quarantine for tuberculosis continued to dominate TV coverage last night. WH '08 was also mentioned: The "O'Reilly Factor" showed the second part of FNC's O'Reilly's interview with John McCain. McCain, asked why far-left Dems want...

Posted on June 1, 2007 08:51 AM

Hotline After Dark: Come On In, The Water's Fine
Talk of the TV last night was focused on the Atlanta man under federal quarantine for tuberculosis and Fred Thompson testing the WH '08 waters. FNC's Hume: "The actor and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson will move a step closer...

Posted on May 31, 2007 08:51 AM

Hotline After Dark: Domestic Discord
Aside from talk about Lindsay Lohan's DUI and Rosie O'Donnell leaving "The View," last night's TV focused on May being the deadliest month for U.S. troops in Iraq since Dec.' 04, as well as Pres. Bush imposing tougher sanctions on...

Posted on May 30, 2007 08:31 AM

Hotline After Dark: War? Funding?
Last night, TV was dominated by the vote on the Iraq war funding bill. CNN's J. King: "The House and Senate tonight passing legislation that funds the war in Iraq, but doesn't impose a timetable for bringing the troops home....

Posted on May 25, 2007 08:22 AM

Hotline After Dark: Tell Me Something Goodling
Most of last night's TV concentrated on the feud between "The View"'s Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, as well as Ex-DoJ WH liaison Monica Goodling's testimony before the House Jud Cmte 5/23. MSNBC's Shuster: "Monica Goodling testified she was not...

Posted on May 24, 2007 08:28 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No Bloom On This Campaign
The Iraq funding compromise led most of the news last night: NBC's B. Williams: "To many people it looks like the Democrats might have rolled over and the president might have gotten what he wanted" ("Nightly News," 5/22). FNC's Hume:...

Posted on May 23, 2007 08:36 AM

Hotline After Dark -- 7th Inning Stretch Edition
Once again the immigration bill and AG Alberto Gonzales dominated TV last night along with a smattering of WH '08: FNC's Garrett: "The Senate was all geared up for a raucous immigration debate, [but] the Senate leaders have just announced...

Posted on May 22, 2007 08:37 AM

Hotline After Dark -- We're Legally Here
The immigration bill dominated last night's TV talk: ABC's Raddatz: "This is a giant step toward immigration reform but what was perhaps most remarkable about today is the Democrats, Republicans and the White House came together" ("World News," 5/17). CBS'...

Posted on May 18, 2007 08:40 AM

Hotline Afte Dark -- Going For Gonzales
Lots of talk last night on James Comey's testimony and how it will effect AG Alberto Gonzales: MSNBC's Scarborough, on Comey's testimony: "The damaging testimony sounds like one more nail being hammered into the political coffin of Alberto Gonzales" ("Scarborough...

Posted on May 17, 2007 08:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- In The Spin Room
FNC had all the post-debate analysis along with candidate interviews: FNC's Cameron: "With Mitt Romney and John McCain sparring over who amongst them is the most conservative, Rudy Giuliani had to just love it" ("Hannity & Colmes," 5/15). Rudy Giuliani,...

Posted on May 16, 2007 08:36 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Debate Preview Edition
Lots of debate preview on FNC last night: FNC's Cameron: "We have some signs behind us here. You can get an idea of how the anticipation is growing in South Carolina, here in Columbia. No Rudy Giuliani signs, lots of...

Posted on May 15, 2007 08:18 AM

Hotline After Dark: Man On A Mission
Most of the pundit talk last night focused on the Iraq funding bill and what's next in that process: VP Cheney sat down with FNC's Baier: On Iraq: "We didn't get elected to be popular. We didn't get elected to...

Posted on May 11, 2007 08:52 AM

Hotline After Dark: On The Front Lines
Lots of Iraq talk last night: NBC's Russert, reporting on a meeting between GOP congressional members and the admin: "They told the president, and one said, quote, 'My district is prepared for defeat. We need candor. We need honesty, Mr....

Posted on May 10, 2007 08:35 AM

Hotline After Dark: Deadline Pressure
It was a hodge podge of political news last night with talk of a Sept. deadline on Iraq and Rudy Giuliani's donation to Planned Parenthood: Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS): "By fall, we're going to need to feel like some progress...

Posted on May 9, 2007 08:33 AM

Hotline After Dark: The Royal Treatment
Pres. Bush's gaffe in introducing the Queen got a lot of replay on TV last night. There was also lots of royal trivia: FNC's Goler: "The queen's visits have all come during Republican administrations, Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and...

Posted on May 8, 2007 08:46 AM

Hotline After Dark: Newt's Not Happy
There was a debate last night and here's the fallout: Chicago Tribune's Zuckman: "The bottom line is that the top three are still the top three. Giuliani, McCain, Romney, nothing upset the apple cart tonight" (MSNBC, 5/1). Tommy Thompson was...

Posted on May 4, 2007 08:36 AM

Hotline After Dark: Staying The Collision Course
More veto talk last night: CNN's Henry: "Perhaps what was more noteworthy about today is the fact that the president seemed to be trying to recalibrate how he defines success in Baghdad. ... One explanation could be the president trying...

Posted on May 3, 2007 08:27 AM

Hotline After Dark: Straight To Veto
Veto talk filled the airwaves last night: FNC's Garrett: "Congressional leaders rarely sign bills before sending them to the president, but Democrats wanted to maximize the collision course visuals. Another spark of drama, the bill's journey in special vehicle from...

Posted on May 2, 2007 08:17 AM

Hotline After Dark: Getting Personal
George Tenet continued his book tour as pundits had lots to say about him: Tenet, on the highly critical letter written by six ex-CIA officers describing him as the Alberto Gonzales of the intelligence community: "The implication, of course, is...

Posted on May 1, 2007 08:19 AM

Hotline After Dark: The Post-Debate Dissection
The first debate of the WH cycle was last night and MSNBC had full out coverage. CNN also touched on it but there was not a lot on FNC. Of the '08ers only the top three -- Hillary Clinton, Barack...

Posted on April 27, 2007 09:04 AM

Hotline After Dark: Playing Their Trump Cards
TV was all Rosie last night: FNC's O'Reilly: "As predicted here last January, Ms. O'Donnell is leaving 'The View.' She made the announcement today, making me an oracle" ("O'Reilly Factor," 4/25). And Donald Trump made the TV rounds:. Trump: "Rosie...

Posted on April 26, 2007 07:30 AM

Hotline After Dark: Cheney (And Fred?) Unleashed
VP Cheney criticized Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid during his Hill visit and got the kind of TV coverage he was looking for: FNC's Garrett: "Vice-President Cheney, in a rare Capital Hill appearance, and flanked by Senate GOP leaders, infuriated...

Posted on April 25, 2007 07:30 AM

Hotline After Dark: That's My Story & I'm Stickin' To It
Lots of good interviews on TV last night: Bill Richardson was on "Hardball" where the subject was gun control: Richardson: "I believe in responsible gun ownership. You know, gun ownership for the West is critically important. But I do support...

Posted on April 24, 2007 07:24 AM

Hotline After Dark: Reporting For Duty
There was still a lot talk on VA Tech last night but cable news also delved into other topics, including AG Alberto Gonzales' testimony: CNN's Bash: "Tom Coburn was the only Republican senator to say today point blank to the...

Posted on April 20, 2007 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark: Handle With Care
In the latest news in the VA Tech shootings, NBC received a package from Cho Seung-Hui. Here's how Brian Williams opened the "Nightly News": Williams: "We now know what the Virginia Tech gunman was doing during that two-hour period between...

Posted on April 19, 2007 07:28 AM

Hotline After Dark: Bush Is Up For Debate
Once again cable news focused on the VA Tech shootings, particularly on Cho Seung-Hui and his motives. And Pres. Bush and Laura Bush did interviews with the three broadcast nets. In each interview, he was asked about gun control: Asked...

Posted on April 18, 2007 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark: The Politics Of Tragedy
TV last night focused on the shootings at Virginia Tech: FNC's Colmes: "More questions are emerging like, why was there a two-hour lapse in between shootings? Why weren't students notified earlier of the danger? And who was the shooter? Was...

Posted on April 17, 2007 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark: Casualties Of Media War
Don Imus was fired by CBS, met with the Rutgers players at the NJ GOV mansion and Jon Corzine was hurt in a car accident on the way to that meeting. It was a heck of night for cable TV:...

Posted on April 13, 2007 07:23 AM

Hotline After Dark: Still The Talk Of The Tube
Don Imus may no longer be on cable, but he dominated the TV talk: NBC News Pres. Steve Capus, on why MSNBC will no longer be broadcasting "Imus": "I've received hundreds, if not thousands of emails, both internal and external,...

Posted on April 12, 2007 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark: No Offense?
Cable TV last night focused on Don Imus and Anna Nicole Smith. Here's a sampling of the Imus comments: MSNBC's Shuster: "Amidst the ongoing protests against Don Imus and the questions about whether journalists, including those at this network, will...

Posted on April 11, 2007 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark: Rebel, Rebel
Lots of talk about Don Imus last night: MSNBC's Dan Abrams: "People have every right to be angry, insulted and hurt by Imus's comments. And Imus himself has said they have every right to call for his resignation. Those opinions...

Posted on April 10, 2007 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark Special: A Sunday Snapshot
TO FUND OR NOT TO FUND? Sens. Arlen Spector (R-PA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) appeared on "Late Edition" together: Lieberman: "Putting a timeline on is always a mistake in war because it says that a bunch of political people in...

Posted on April 9, 2007 09:23 AM

Hotline After Dark: Out To Sea
The release of the British sailors from Iran dominated TV coverage last night. Iraq, the upcoming testimony of AG Alberto Gonzales, and the recess appointment of Sam Fox to U.S. Amb. to Belgium were also mentioned. MSNBC's Olbermann: "All you...

Posted on April 6, 2007 07:41 AM

Hotline After Dark: The Money Trail
The '08ers continued their TV tours in the wake of 1st Quarter fundraising announcements: Mitt Romney continued his media tour with a stop on "Hannity & Colmes": Asked about polls that show 50% of people don't know him: "You don't...

Posted on April 5, 2007 07:47 AM

Hotline After Dark: All The Field's A Stage
Rudy Giuliani was on "Hannity &' Colmes." FNC's Hannity conducted the interview: On why he's just getting to IA: "We got started a little late. ... I think we've caught up in fundraising. We had a really great March. We...

Posted on April 4, 2007 07:30 AM

Hotline After Dark: It Figures
It was money, money, money talk on cable last night: Newt Gingrich: "If there is a money primary, that the first three real winners were Senator Clinton, who performed about as people might have expected, Senator Edwards and Governor Romney...

Posted on April 3, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark: A Bad Day For Bushies
The political talk on cable last night focused on ex-DoJ CoS Kyle Sampson's testimony: CNN's Henry: "The president under siege on two fronts, with the full Senate defying him on Iraq policy while a Senate committee hears explosive testimony in...

Posted on March 30, 2007 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark: Battle Plans
Several '08ers were on TV last night to talk about Iraq. Joe Biden: "What people don't read about the Senate resolution, the Senate bill we passed, it sets a goal just as the same goal set out by the Baker-Hamilton...

Posted on March 29, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark: Toeing The Timeline
Besides a lot of well wishes for Tony Snow last night, TV concentrated on the Senate vote on Iraq: John McCain was in the "Situation Room" last night to discuss Iraq (the interview took place before the SEN vote). He...

Posted on March 28, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark: Cool Under Fire
Lots of good interviews on TV last night: AG Alberto Gonzales sat down with NBC's Pete Williams: Gonzales: "I was not involved in the deliberations during the process as to who should or should not be asked to resign. I...

Posted on March 27, 2007 07:40 AM

Hotline After Dark: The Trail Ahead
Pundits went into full analytical mode after the John and Elizabeth Edwards' announcement: Des Moines Register's Yepsen: "This was all a plus for John Edwards politically. When he canceled his trip here on Tuesday to deal with this, the political...

Posted on March 23, 2007 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark: Turning Up The Heat
There were two main political stories on the tube last night: the scandal over the fired U.S. attys and Al Gore's return to Capital Hill: CNN's Malveaux, on the conflict between Congress and the admin: "We're not yet at DEFCON...

Posted on March 22, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark: Stand By Your AG
Lots of '08ers on TV last night: Tommy Thompson was in the "Situation Room": Asked if he's officially announcing: "That's going to be several more weeks. But it's really looking good. I've been spending a lot of time in Iowa,...

Posted on March 21, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark: Blue's News
Lots of Dems on TV last night: Barack Obama was on "LKL": On Iraq: "The precondition for any continuing involvement by the United States in Iraq has to be a willingness on the part of Iraqi leadership and the heads...

Posted on March 20, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire
The fired U.S. attys story continues to get a lot of airtime: CNN's Malveaux: "The e-mail shows that Karl Rove raised the idea of firing all 93 U.S. attorneys nearly a month before the White House previously acknowledged" ("AC 360,"...

Posted on March 16, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark: The Show Must Go On
Although TV had a lot of talk about AG Gonzales and the situation in Iraq, there were several WH candidates giving interviews: Duncan Hunter, asked if he would call Giuliani a conservative: "No, I wouldn't." Asked if McCain is one:...

Posted on March 15, 2007 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark: A "Purge" Primer
If you're coming into the U.S. Attys scandal a little late and are feeling confused about what's going on, TV can help you out: CNN's Roberts: "It is the smoking gun in the latest scandal to rock Washington, 144 pages...

Posted on March 14, 2007 08:06 AM

Hotline After Dark: Perplexing The Pundits
Chuck Hagel announces he will have an announcement; Fred Thompson may be running -- it all leaves pundits trying to pat their head and rub their belly at the same time. But first, Mitt Romney was on "Hannity & Colmes":...

Posted on March 13, 2007 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark: Gut It Out
The two main political topics on TV last night were the Dems plan for Iraq and whether VP Cheney still has influence in the WH: FNC's Angle: "Leaders in the House, in yet another effort to unite their members, announced...

Posted on March 9, 2007 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark: A Silver Living At 1600 PA Ave. NW
There was a lot of TV talk on the Jessica Lunsford case. Politics-wise, there were discussions about the Dems and Iraq and there was still plenty of talk of Scooter Libby: CNN's Koppel: "Democrats in both the House and the...

Posted on March 8, 2007 08:46 AM

Hotline After Dark: Scoot Over
Here's a small sampling of the Scooter Libby talk from last night's TV: CNN's Crowley: "It's hard to see how a terrifically weakened president is any more weakened by this" ("Situation Room," 3/6) MSNBC's Shuster: "Legally, this investigation is over...

Posted on March 7, 2007 08:53 AM

Hotline After Dark: Still Debating Selma
TV is still giving a lot of coverage to Walter Reed Hospital and the conditions there. Otherwise the political talk focused on Ann Coulter's comments, Rudy Giuliani's family and Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in Selma: CNN's Roberts, on Bill...

Posted on March 6, 2007 09:01 AM

Hotline After Dark: Hey They, Skipper
TV last night was mostly about the weather and the continued controversy over conditions at Walter Reed. There was some talk about John McCain but very little about his "wasted" comment -- especially when compared to how much press Barack...

Posted on March 2, 2007 09:28 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Age Of McCain?
TV last night again focused on the Dow and Iraq so we'll focus on the big news of the night, John McCain's announcement on the "Late Show": David Letterman: "You had a birthday." McCain: "Tragically." Letterman: "It was a landmark,...

Posted on March 1, 2007 07:59 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Excuse To Talk Gore
In the aftermath of Al Gore's Oscar, pundits tried to determine if they had a winner: Politico's Allen: "If Senator Clinton and Senator Obama eat each other up, if for some reason there's a vacancy, a vacuum, an opening...

Posted on February 27, 2007 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Did You Catch Obama On The Biography Channel?
Pundits still liked to talk about the Clinton/Obama battle, but with actual news to report on Anna Nicole Smith, cable TV went wild with coverage. But here's an update on another important trial: CNN's Todd, on the Scooter Libby...

Posted on February 23, 2007 07:24 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Round Mound Of '08 Rebound
When cable news wasn't talking about Britney Spears or Anna Nicole Smith, they were dissecting the dustup between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and Tony Blair's decision to withdrawal British troops from Iraq: James Carville, on David Geffen: "A...

Posted on February 22, 2007 07:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- 1 If By Air, 2 If By Iraq
With British PM Tony Blair announcing this a.m. a withdrawal date for British troops, TV speculated what this would mean for the WH: CNN's Malveaux: "The White House is really trying to paint this as a success story. ......

Posted on February 21, 2007 07:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Reiding The Iraq Leaves
TV concentrated heavily on the Senate Iraq debate, as well as Pres. Bush's troop increase in Afghanistan. CNN's Blitzer: "A Senate deadlock over an Iraq resolution could get busted wide open very soon in an explosion of partisan fireworks. Democrats...

Posted on February 16, 2007 07:32 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush On Iran, Rudy On I Run
TV focused on the Pres. Bush presser and its implications for Iraq and Iran. CNN's Blitzer: "At his first news conference this year, President Bush seemed resigned to a symbolic Congressional vote against his plan for a troop build-up in...

Posted on February 15, 2007 08:38 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Romney's Mormon?
TV was still a lot of talk about Anna Nicole Smith with some weather and Iraq thrown in. Mitt Romney's announcement got decent coverage and he did an interview on the "Today" show this a.m. CNN's Crowley: "Romney's courtship...

Posted on February 14, 2007 08:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush Discusses WH '08
TV continues to not only talk about Iraq, but Iran is getting more attention. There was also a good chunk of North Korea talk. Meanwhile, there were some good interviews on last night: Pres. Bush sat down with C-SPAN's...

Posted on February 13, 2007 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Anna Free
The death of Anna Nicole Smith dominated TV coverage last night. There were a few updates on the congressional action on Iraq and the Scooter Libby trial: FNC's Garrett: "Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, checkmated by Republicans, has all...

Posted on February 9, 2007 07:09 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Obsess Much?
The Iraq debate continues in the halls of Congress and on your TV screens: CNN's Bash: "It's now clear the Senate will not vote on Iraq anytime soon, but the debate is as heated as ever. Not about the...

Posted on February 8, 2007 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Space, The Final Scandal Frontier
TV last night was mostly about the astronaut charged with attempted murder. But there was a lot of talk about the action (or non-action) in Congress regarding the nonbinding resolutions on Iraq: FNC's Garrett: "Dismayed at the Senate stalemate...

Posted on February 7, 2007 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Rudy Awakens
Rudy Giuliani was on "Hannity & Colmes": Asked if he should be congratulated or consoled: "A little of both, but mostly congratulations. It's wonderful thing to be, you know, organizing and putting together. And it's a little -- very...

Posted on February 6, 2007 07:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Still Cleaning Up His Mess
Joe Biden played "Hardball" last night: On his "clean" statement: "I wasn't making a historical statement. I was trying to compliment a colleague." On Obama saying there have been articulate African-American candidates before: "Well he's right -- I campaigned...

Posted on February 2, 2007 07:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Biden's "Clever" Move?
There was still a lot of talk on Iraq last night, along with reports on scary cartoons in Boston, but pundits' favorite subject was Joe Biden: Time's Carney: "What Biden was saying, and this is Biden's fault for not being...

Posted on February 1, 2007 07:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Deciding The Decider's Fate
Who decides who's the decider? That debate played out on TV last night: Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), on saying Bush is not the sole decider: "I didn't give him a slap. What I did was articulate the principle of...

Posted on January 31, 2007 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Major Bush Interview Is Like An Afterthought, Can You Say 'Lame Duck?'
There was a lot of talk about the Hillary Clinton joke, if it was a joke and if it was, was it funny: Des Moines Register's Yepsen: "I think the joke was taken as a joke. I think it...

Posted on January 30, 2007 07:26 AM

Hotline After Dark: Double Down
V was a hodge podge of topics last night, ranging from the Iraqi debate in Congress to the the Western primaries: CNN's Bash: "Since the vote was cast in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday, what we have seen is...

Posted on January 26, 2007 09:30 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Cheney News Network
Here are a few more highlights from CNN's Blitzer's interview with VP Cheney: On Osama bin Laden: "Obviously, he's well hidden. We've been looking for him for some time. I think the fact is, he's gone totally to ground....

Posted on January 25, 2007 07:29 AM

Hotline After Dark -- '08ers React
Here are some quick reaxs to Pres. Bush's SOTU. More to come in today's Hotline: FNC's Cameron: "A surprising shortage of reactions from a lot of these presidential candidates in the early stages after the speech, normally we're peppered...

Posted on January 24, 2007 07:32 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Gibson v. Clinton
There was a lot of good TV last focusing on the WH race, the SOTU and the situation in Iraq. We'll focus on the WH candidate interviews and the rest will be in today's Hotline: Hillary Clinton did interviews...

Posted on January 23, 2007 07:31 AM

Hotline After Dark -- It's All Our Fault?
Hillary Clinton continued her media tour with stops on PBS and FNC: PBS' Ifill: "There are those who say that your evolution on the war has been, number one, behind the public curve of opinion and, number two, right...

Posted on January 19, 2007 07:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Iraq-naphobia
There were two main topics on TV last -- Iraq and Hillary Clinton: Most of the Iraq talk focused on the GOP's differences with Pres. Bush: MSNBC's Viqueira: "We haven't seen a lot of [House Min. Leader John] Boehner...

Posted on January 18, 2007 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush Disapproves Of Bush
Barack Obama's announcement got plenty of TV time last night so other candidates popped up to get their share of it. Hillary Clinton appeared on all the network morning shows this a.m. Details on that will be in today's...

Posted on January 17, 2007 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Going POTUS
After announcing his WH run on "Imus," Chris Dodd made the TV rounds: On Joe Lieberman: "He's not taking a position yet. And, look, we're great friends. We had a bit of a difficulty last summer and fall with...

Posted on January 12, 2007 07:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Dodd Gets In
On "Imus" this a.m., Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced he's filing WH '08 papers: Dodd: "I'm going to file today papers of candidacy. ... I'm going to skip the exploratory stage" (MSNBC, 1/11). And here's are some quick reax...

Posted on January 11, 2007 08:03 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Rare Kennedy News Cycle
More previews of Pres. Bush's speech tonight, along with reviews of the Dems' first day in Congress: CNN's Malveaux: "One U.S. official saying that part of the goal of the administration, the president will say, is for the Iraqi...

Posted on January 10, 2007 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Sneak Preview
Last night's TV previewed Wednesday's address by Pres. Bush: MSNBC's Matthews: "The question is this: is there anything the president could say Wednesday night that would sell the country on an escalation in the war in Iraq?" ("Hardball," 1/8). Rep....

Posted on January 9, 2007 08:45 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Pelosi's Day
Last night TV focused on the new Congress, particularly on the change of power in the House and new Speaker Nancy Pelosi. There was a little Iraq talked mixed in: FNC's Garrett: "Pelosi cradled the newest of six grandchildren...

Posted on January 5, 2007 08:07 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Iraq, Iraq, Iraq
Most of the TV talk last night focused on Pres. Bush's plan for more troops in Iraq and how the new Congress will react to it: CNN's Bash: "Bipartisanship definitely is the buzz word. CNN has learned that the...

Posted on January 4, 2007 09:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A New Year
TV continued with its coverage/rememberances of Gerald Ford. Justice John Paul Stevens, who Ford nominated to SCOTUS: "My two very firm impressions from that meeting were, one, he was a fine lawyer; and two, he was the kind of...

Posted on January 3, 2007 07:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Setting The Sun On '06
Last night's TV mainly concentrated on Pres. Bush's 12/20 presser and Iraq. FNC's Baier: "Setting the tone for his speech about the new way forward in Iraq, soon after the knew year, President Bush conceded in an hour long news...

Posted on December 21, 2006 08:06 AM

Hotline After Dark -- We're Keeping Our Crown Too
The Miss U.S.A. scandal was the talk of the TV last night, but the Bush admin.'s support of an increase in US troop levels in Iraq was also discussed. MSNBC's Shuster: "In the wake of a new Pentagon report saying...

Posted on December 20, 2006 08:02 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hollywood Gaga For Obama?
Talk of the missing Mt. Hood climbers dominated TV coverage last night, but Iraq and new Defense Sec. Robert Gates were close seconds. FNC's Emanuel: "Robert Gates became the 22nd secretary of defense today and providing fresh perspective on Iraq...

Posted on December 19, 2006 07:37 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Cold Reality
Lots of talk last night about Sen. Tim Johnson's (D-SD) condition and the possible effect on the Dems control of the Senate: NBC's Reid: "A spokesperson from his office this evening came out and said, no, it was not...

Posted on December 14, 2006 07:02 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Subtle Digs At Obama Watch
Pres. Bush postponed his speech to the nation on Iraq dominated TV coverage last night. CNN's Dobbs: "The White House today said President Bush will delay the announcement of any changes in his Iraq strategy until the new year....

Posted on December 13, 2006 08:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Skim Milk For Rumsfeld
There were two main topics of TV last night: Iraq and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL): Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld was on "Hannity & Colmes": On why he resigned: "I think that this time the outcome of the election, just...

Posted on December 12, 2006 07:12 AM

Hotline After Dark: ISG For You And For Me
Still a lot of talk on the ISG along with review of the Pres. Bush/PM Blair presser: CNN's Henry: "This is a president who does not like to admit mistakes and you could see his frustration today as reporters pressed...

Posted on December 8, 2006 07:07 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Baker's Dozen Of Interviews
It was all about the Iraq Study Group report last night. MSNBC's Shuster: "Senate hearings on the recommendations will begin tomorrow, putting even more pressure on the White House. Meanwhile, the violence in Iraq continues. According to U.S. military...

Posted on December 7, 2006 07:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Gates Unplugged
Iraq continues to dominate the TV talk: ABC's Moran interviewed Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL), Joe Biden (D-DE) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) about their positions on Iraq. Obama: "I'm not calling for complete withdrawal tomorrow. What I am suggesting is...

Posted on December 6, 2006 07:38 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush Pokes The Senate
Pres. Bush sat down with FNC's Hume: On outgoing U.N. Amb. John Bolton: "John chose to leave gracefully, to pull his name down because it became apparent that once again, the Senate would block his nomination. I am very...

Posted on December 5, 2006 07:08 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Kerrys As Co-Authors?!?!?
Pundits were all over the forthcoming Baker report but there were several good interviews on TV last night: Sec/State Condoleezza Rice sat down with NBC's Brian Williams. The entire interview aired on "Hardball": Asked if Iraqi PM al-Maliki snubbed Pres....

Posted on December 1, 2006 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hillary Scared Of Obama?
Lots of talk last night on Pres. Bush not meeting with Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki: NBC's K. O'Donnell, on the non-meeting: "There was no photo opportunity, no dinner, no nothing" ("Tucker," MSNBC, 11/29). CNN's Malveaux: "It was clear the...

Posted on November 30, 2006 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark: Almost There, WH Press Corps...
Lots of talk on Iraq last night, especially about Pres. Bush's NATO speech and his appearance at the Ammon summit: CNN's Malveaux: "Despite the deteriorating conditions on the ground in Iraq, President Bush refused to call the growing chaos and...

Posted on November 29, 2006 08:33 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Media Becomes The Story
Lots of talk last night on NBC's decision to call Iraq a "civil war": MSNBC's Olbermann: "Is this the Walter Cronkite moment of the Iraq War?" ("Countdown," 11/27). FNC's Hannity: "They think that they're Walter Cronkite and they want...

Posted on November 28, 2006 07:11 AM

Hotline After Dark: Getting Drafty
Henry Kissinger commenting on Iraq and Charlie Rangel proposing a draft -- it's inevitable the Vietnam comparisons resurface: MSNBC's Shuster: "Even though Vietnam brought down a presidency and Iraq has already cost the president's party control of Congress, the change...

Posted on November 21, 2006 09:40 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Weathering The Murtha Storm
With storms in the southeast, cable TV had a hurricane of coverage on the weather. But there was some political talk, particularly about the Dem House Leadership race: CNN's Bash: "Democrats unanimously elected the first woman to speaker of...

Posted on November 17, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Murtha's "Crap" Storm
The election may be over but TV is enjoying cover the leadership races: Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) played "Hardball" last night: MSNBC's Matthews: "[Bush] invites Steny Hoyer down to the White House with Nancy Pelosi. Were they trying to set...

Posted on November 16, 2006 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark: Lott-A Shakin' Goin On
A lot of focus last night on the situation in Iraq and the kidnappings there. On the politics side there was some leadership talk along with a side of WH '08: Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), on the minority whip's race:...

Posted on November 15, 2006 08:35 AM

Hotline After Dark -- When Nat'l Reporters Cover The Inside Game
Lots of talk on the House leadership race last night: FNC's Garrett: "Murtha wants to make this a race on Iraq and nothing else. But Hoyer has that based covered, at least partially. California's Maxine Waters backs Hoyer and...

Posted on November 14, 2006 07:12 AM

House Leadership Races: The 800-Lb. Gorilla Weighs In
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced her support for Rep. John Murtha's (D-PA) Maj Leader campaign last p.m. In a letter, Pelosi writes: "I salute your courageous leadership that changed the national debate and helped make Iraq the central issue of...

Posted on November 13, 2006 01:20 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Rummy, Straight Up
An election, a change of power, and VA SEN and MT SEN called, but most of the TV last night was on Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld's resignation: NBC's Ohm: "The surprise announcement about Secretary Rumsfeld's resignation accomplished two things...

Posted on November 9, 2006 07:24 AM

Hotline After Dark -- One Day More
All politics across cable TV last night. Pundits gave their predictions, candidates got in some last-minute interviews and correspondents offered updates on the most contested races. Here are some updates: MSNBC's Shuster, on VA SEN: "The election hasn't even...

Posted on November 7, 2006 07:16 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Reynolds The Realist?
There was still some John Kerry talk last night but other races dominated the coverage. Plus lots of pundits were on the tube to give their predictions: Brian Williams anchored the "Nightly News" from TN and profiled the SEN...

Posted on November 3, 2006 07:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- All Kerry
If Dems were hoping John Kerry's apology would make the story go away, they may not want to read any further. Cable continued its 24-hour coverage of the issue: MSNBC's Shuster, on Kerry's apology: "Democrats are hoping this will...

Posted on November 2, 2006 07:46 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Kerry Critized For Being Not Very Funny
Did the last day of October bring the surprise the GOP has been waiting for? Cable coverage was all over John Kerry's remark on the troops and the admin's response: CNN's Cooper: "Election 2006, it is beginning to look...

Posted on November 1, 2006 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The FNC GOTV Edition
One week out, lots of good interviews: Pres. Bush sat down with FNC's Hannity: On the midterms: "You know, in 2002, a lot of the pundits didn't get the off-year elections right. In 2004, a lot of people thought...

Posted on October 31, 2006 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Family Ties
Political ads, Pres. Bush's 2-day old presser, and the war in Iraq dominated cable news last night: CBS' Pitts profiled TN SEN for the "Evening News." MO SEN's Claire McCaskill was in the "Situation Room" and CNN's Crowley profiled...

Posted on October 27, 2006 07:12 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Fox Guarding Rush's House?
As the Election countdown continues, news outlets continue to profile the big races. The "Playboy" ad in TN SEN continues to get a lot of talk, as does the Michael J. Fox/Rush Limbaugh controversy: NBC's Brian Williams anchored "Nightly...

Posted on October 26, 2006 07:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Night Time Tube Wars Has Never Been Better
As Election Day approaches, TV is profiling the competitive races: "NewsHour" looked at RI and CT SEN. "Special Report" looked at RI and TN SEN. "Situation Room" looked at TN and OH SEN. ABC's Charles Gibson anchored "World News"...

Posted on October 25, 2006 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark: Bush And Social Security Redux
Pres. Bush sat down with CNBC's Bartiromo: On the economy: "I really am please with the progress we've made on the economic front, but there's obviously still more work to be done. Just got to make sure we remain competitive...

Posted on October 24, 2006 08:41 AM

Hotline After Dark: O'Reilly, Barack?
Lots of good interviews on TV again last night: Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) was on "LKL" as part of his book tour. Asked about WH '08: "Right now we've got three weeks to one of the most important elections we've...

Posted on October 20, 2006 08:41 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Single Best Night Interviews In A Year
Lots of good interviews on last night: ABC's Stephanopoulos interviewed Pres. Bush 10/18. Excerpts aired across all ABC News platforms and the net released a transcript: Stephanopoulos: "Tom Friedman wrote in the New York Times this morning that what...

Posted on October 19, 2006 07:30 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Who WASN'T On Last Night
TV was a hodge-podge of topics last night although there was a lot of talk on North Korea and Sec/State Condoleezza Rice's trip to the region. FNC's O'Reilly aired Part II of his Pres. Bush interview. On interrogating terrorists:...

Posted on October 18, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The No Spin Zone?
FNC's O'Reilly interviewed Pres. Bush. The interview will air over three nights, beginning last night: O'Reilly: "This is my third interview with the president. He does get a fair shake here but he also gets tough questions, as everybody...

Posted on October 17, 2006 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hodge Podgein' It
TV was a hodge podge of topics last night: North Korea, the NY plane crash, updates on Mark Foley, Mel Gibson's apology and Robin Williams played "Hardball." Some Williams highlights: "Al Gore, much more articulate now, and a little...

Posted on October 13, 2006 07:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Breaking News Overtakes Politics
TV was in breaking news mode last night, covering the NY plane crash in a way that only a story taking place in NY (vs. any other city in the world) will get covered. Gov. George Pataki (R-NY): "There...

Posted on October 12, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Rice Is Dishin' It At Clinton
North Korea was still the main topic of news last night. Sec/State Condoleezza Rice made the TV rounds: Rice: "I think you will see the Chinese re-evaluated this. I don't know how far they will go, but the North...

Posted on October 11, 2006 07:13 AM

The Big Three: Hot Senate Race Updates
A daily update of trends and analyses from the hottest Senate races. 1. Dems Drop A Cool Million: In VA, he DSCC's spending nearly $1M in TV ads for ex-Navy Sec. Jim Webb (D). A clip from the first...

Posted on October 10, 2006 01:42 PM

Hotline After Dark -- We Be Kim Jong Il'in
North Korea was in the news last night but a few reporters managed to tie it to Mark Foley. MSNBC's Shuster: "The Republican Party usually benefits when foreign policy security issues take center stage. Today, House Speaker Dennis Hastert...

Posted on October 10, 2006 07:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Dennis And His Menace
Talk on the TV was dominated by Speaker Denny Hastert's 10/5 press conference on the Mark Foley scandal. CNN's Bash: "One of the tricks of the trade, I should say, in politics is that when you're under fire, you do...

Posted on October 6, 2006 08:09 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Speaker Muted?
Once again, TV was all about Mark Foley. ABC's Ross: "Kirk Fordham, former chief of staff for Foley, told ABC News today that sometime in late 2003, he told the Speaker's chief of staff that Foley was getting too...

Posted on October 5, 2006 07:40 AM

The Big Three: Hot Senate Race Updates
A daily update of trends and analyses from the hottest Senate races. 1. Cardin Sees Bush, Steele Smells Trash: After sparring in their first debate 10/3 in MD, Rep. Ben Cardin (D-03) and Michael Steele (R) are attacking each...

Posted on October 4, 2006 01:23 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Dutch Uncle Edition
The latest Mark Foley revelation dominated TV last night. CNN's Johns: "It sounds more like it's a lawyer doing his job trying to essentially humanize his client in advance of any possible legal action" ("AC 360," 10/3). ABC's Ross,...

Posted on October 4, 2006 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Try And Skip Past Foley
The three main topics of TV last night were the Amish school shootings, Mark Foley, and Bob Woodward's book: NBC's Viqueira, on the Foley fallout: "It is unclear what the threshold is here for violations of the law. There may...

Posted on October 3, 2006 08:00 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Night Of 1,000 Interviews
TV last night was all about interviews: "Hardball" had an interview with Patricia Waring, the former wife of Sen. George Allen's (R-VA) rugby coach, who claims she heard Allen use the "N" word: MSNBC's Shuster: "Pat Waring of Chestertown,...

Posted on September 29, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Declassifying A Bigger Problem?
Pres. Bush's declassification of the NIE led most of the cable talk last night: CNN's Quijano: "Bush launched a full-throated political defense, attacking what he called the politically motivated leaking of a classified national intelligence estimate dealing partly with...

Posted on September 27, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Clinton Hangover
Bill Clinton was all the rage on TV last night. Here's a sampling: MSNBC's Carlson: "I'm a little shocked by Clinton's behavior here" ("Tucker," 9/25). Dem strategist Paul Begala: "Oh, that's nothing, yes. Good lord" ("PZ Now," CNN, 9/25)....

Posted on September 26, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Pelosi Unplugged
The new season may have started on the broadcast nets, but cable seemed to be in repeats. Most of the discussion last night remained the interrogation debate, on Hugo Chavez's remarks about Pres. Bush and on Iranian Pres. Mahmoud...

Posted on September 22, 2006 08:16 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A King Sized Evening
TV went presidential last night: Pres. Bush sat down with CNN's Blitzer: Bush: "Frankly, if anybody thinks there's not an enemy coming to attack us, they just don't see the world the way it is." More: "Osama bin Laden...

Posted on September 21, 2006 07:28 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Frist Wants To Be Bush Heir
Lots of talk last night about Pres. Bush's speech to the U.N., particularly his conflict with Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. CNN's Malveaux: "It was billed as a heavyweight match. In one corner, the man representing what Iran calls the Great...

Posted on September 20, 2006 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush Admin Pressing Hard
There was a lot of talk last night about the Pope's comments on Muslims. There was also some discussion on Pres. Bush's U.N. visit and the debate over interrogation techniques: MSNBC's Shuster: "As the president left today for his...

Posted on September 19, 2006 07:38 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Tribunal Politics
Most of the political talk last night focused on the military tribunal debate: MSNBC's Shuster: "The president, ironically, is getting the focus that he wants on Capitol Hill and that is a discussion about terror as opposed to any...

Posted on September 15, 2006 07:10 AM

Hotline After Dark -- "Treason Season"?
The Dems are still outraged about 9/11 and they took the airwaves to make it known: CNN's Koppel: "What has House Democrats up in arms today is this six-page Republican resolution. It's not the fact that the resolution commemorates...

Posted on September 14, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Depends On The Definition Of Politics Is
TV last night was a mix of Dem reaction to Pres. Bush's Oval Office address with very little talk on the primaries: FNC's Garrett: "Democrats today accused President Bush of poisoning the fifth anniversary of 9/11 with ugly partisan...

Posted on September 13, 2006 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark: Did Bush Politicize His Speech?
TV focused on the 9/11 anniversary. All nets showed Pres. Bush's speech. Here's some of the reax: NBC's Russert: "I think the president noting Iraq ... is going to prompt many Democrats to say the president was the politician-in-chief"...

Posted on September 12, 2006 08:40 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Post Party Mortem
ABC had a Charlie Gibson interview with Pres. Bush and a Cynthia McFadden interview with Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Segments aired on all ABC platforms and the net released transcripts of both: Bush: "This struggle is akin to the...

Posted on September 8, 2006 07:35 AM

Exclusive: Romney's Ex-Sis In Law Pens Abortion Apologia
Since we gave plenty of room to Jerry Zandstra's accusations about Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) and abortion, we'll print, in full, a letter that Ronna Romney, who was once married to Mitt's brother, sent today to Republican activists in Michigan....

Posted on September 7, 2006 11:42 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush’s Media Offensive Continues
CBS' Couric spoke with Pres. Bush: Bush: "My biggest fear is somebody will come in and slip in this country and kill Americans. And I can't tell you how. Obviously there would be the spectacular. That would be the use...

Posted on September 7, 2006 07:19 AM

On The Trail: Could Bush Drop Lower?
It's time to examine when we'll know how things are shaping up in the next 60 days and where we'll find the clues... the real danger for the party in power is that Bush's approval numbers can still go lower,...

Posted on September 6, 2006 12:55 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Snow Apologies To Pres. Bush
Cable paid tribute to Steve Irwin last night but there were also a lot of appearances by admin officials, touting the new plan for the war on terrorism: WH spokesperson Tony Snow made the cable rounds last night: CNN's...

Posted on September 6, 2006 07:24 AM

The Saturday Brunch
Today: Ciro's back in ....Another House Republican turns on Rumsfeld.... Allan Litchman's "Letter From A Baltimore Jail"....and much more........ The Brunch is an exclusive Saturday political news digest and tip sheet from the editors of the Hotline. WHAT'S BREWING A...

Posted on September 2, 2006 10:44 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Shays Says He Knows More About Iraq Than Any Member Of Congress
NBC/MSNBC showed more highlights from NBC's Williams' interview with Pres. Bush. Bush, on Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld's speech: "I didn't know he was giving a speech today. The secretary of defense is saying what we all have been saying,...

Posted on August 31, 2006 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush Hosts Book Notes
Pres. Bush sat down for an interview with NBC's Williams. Portions aired across all NBC/MSNBC platforms: On his Katrina legacy: "When it's all said and done, the people down here know that I stood in Jackson Square and I...

Posted on August 30, 2006 09:33 AM

Hotline After Dark -- How Many Times Can Shays Say "Timeline"?
With breaking news in the JonBenet Ramsey case, a lot of cable coverage was devoted to that topic. There was some talk of the Hurricane Katrina anniversary and whether the region is prepared for another storm. But, first of...

Posted on August 29, 2006 07:14 AM

The Saturday Brunch
An exclusive Saturday political news digest and tip sheet from the editors of the Hotline. WHAT'S BREWING No one should be surprised: Republicans starting to feel queasy about the President's direction on Iraq and starting to endorse Democratic-ish plans...

Posted on August 26, 2006 10:24 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Cruising For Politics
Still a lot of JonBenet coverage but Tom Cruise also got a lot of TV time and yet, shows did find room for a little politics. DNC Chair Howard Dean was on the "Situation Room" and "Hardball" last night:...

Posted on August 24, 2006 07:32 AM

On The Trail: The Second Democratic Frontrunner
The calendar changes, writes Chuck Todd, do more to cement Ex-Sen. . John Edwards's status as the alternative frontrunner than anything else. "Organizationally, Edwards is in the best shape of anyone in Iowa. His close ties to the hotel labor...

Posted on August 23, 2006 03:20 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Lieb Still Dominates
When not talking about the JonBenet Ramsey case, TV was still in post-Pres. Bush presser mode, debating the role of Iraq in the '06 election. MSNBC's Shuster: "Credibility problems or not, President Bush is on the offense when he...

Posted on August 23, 2006 07:24 AM

Primaries In Alaska, Wyoming And Oklahoma
1980 was the last cycle in which more than one incumbent Senator was defeated in a primary. In fact, four went down that year: Sens. Richard Stone (D-FL), Donald Stewart (D-AL), Mike Gravel (D-AK), and Jacob Javits (R-NY). Chafee...

Posted on August 23, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Mood Ring Edition
A majority of last night's coverage (that wasn't JonBenet) concentrated on Pres. Bush's first full-fledged news conference since early 7/06. CNN's Henry: "The president started out jovial. He was joking with reporters about our temporary digs across the street...

Posted on August 22, 2006 08:49 AM

The Saturday Brunch
WHAT'S BREWING Later today, the DNC will officially approve the addition of NV as an early caucus state, sticking it between IA and NH. The Union Leader is not happy about the new rule that would punish NH for...

Posted on August 19, 2006 08:15 AM

On The Trail: Borrowing From Democrats
It's no secret that the problems for the GOP stem from one issue: Iraq. It's the reason why President Bush's job-approval ratings haven't risen out of the 30s, even in a week when he and his chief global ally, British...

Posted on August 17, 2006 11:00 AM

Hotline After Dark: JoeMentum (As In Biden)
The situation in the Middle East continued to dominate coverage: Ex-Speaker Newt Gingrich, on the UN resolution: "The United Nations' resolution is a disaster. I think it will not be implemented effectively. We've seen the United Nations force in South...

Posted on August 17, 2006 08:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bush's "Summer War On Terror Tour"?
It may be August but politics is never on vacation: CNN's Henry: "Day two of President Bush's summer war on terror tour, five hours at the secretive National Counterterrorism Center -- message: It's a dangerous world this August, and...

Posted on August 16, 2006 07:35 AM

Hotline After Dark -- One War Or Two?
The situation in the Middle East -- both the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon and the war in Iraq -- dominated cable talk. But there's starting to be more analysis of how this will effect the '06 election. CNN's...

Posted on August 15, 2006 07:25 AM

The Saturday Brunch
WHAT'S BREWING Pres. Bush's conversation yesterday with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert to negotiate the coming cease fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was the two leaders' first conversation in a month. We are shocked, shocked, that the two...

Posted on August 12, 2006 10:14 AM

Politiscope: Too Right or Too Left, There A'int No In Betweens
Tuesday's results put faces on voters' anti-incumbent mood, John Mercurio writes, and revealed that Democrats aren't the only ones being pulled to their extremes All of which must concern a moderate incumbent like Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R), who faces a...

Posted on August 10, 2006 01:21 PM

Hotline After Dark: Lieberman, The Outsider
The news on the London arrests broke early this a.m. so it didn't make last night's TV. All morning shows led with it however. Most of the TV last night remained focused on the Middle East, but there was a...

Posted on August 10, 2006 08:47 AM

On The Trail: Something About August....
Has any other primary night (in a non-redistricting year) ever produced three incumbent losses before? Chuck Todd looks at Lieberman's defeat. The search for the elusive swing voter has kept the political consulting world in the money for years. And...

Posted on August 9, 2006 05:43 PM

Hotline After Dark: Lieberman Speaks
The CT SEN results broke too late for cable primetime. The nets offered updates throughout the evening but the majority of the news was on the Middle East. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) made the morning show rounds this a.m. Asked...

Posted on August 9, 2006 08:35 AM

Hotline After Dark: Civil Wars and Rumors Of Civil Wars
The situation in the Middle East continues to dominate TV. CNN's Malveaux: "It really was a rare sight to see President Bush in a suit and tie holding a formal news conference at his Crawford ranch during the vacation,...

Posted on August 8, 2006 07:27 AM

The Saturday Brunch
WHAT'S BREWING The 9/11 Commission's chairmen -- Kean and Hamilton -- considered probing the Pentagon and the FAA for "possible deception." And " ... that their panel was too soft in questioning former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani -...

Posted on August 5, 2006 10:13 AM

Hotline After Dark: The O'Rudy Factor
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was in the "Situation Room" and was asked about his son joining the Marines: McCain: "Well, I don't believe that my son would be any different and I hope not treated any differently than the thousands...

Posted on August 3, 2006 08:35 AM

Hotline After Dark: Condi Speaks
The situation in the Middle East still dominated the cable networks. There was a little talk about Fidel Castro and Mel Gibson but most of the focus remained on Israel and Lebanon. Sec/State Condoleezza Rice made the TV rounds to...

Posted on August 2, 2006 07:34 AM

Hotline After Dark: Resolute
Talk of the Middle East continues to dominate cable TV (although MSNBC had a lot on Mel Gibson). Pres. Bush sat down with FNC's Cavuto. On the Middle East: "Your viewers ought to focus on the fact that the...

Posted on August 1, 2006 07:35 AM

The Saturday Brunch WHAT'S BREWING The Hastert/Frist Midterm Gamble: At 1:30 in the morning, the House passed a minimum wage hike (to $7.25 by '09), set the the estate/death tax exemption at $5M (by 2015) and extended business tax...

Posted on July 29, 2006 08:29 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Steele Trap
Coverage on the Middle East continues with most cable nets leading with the release of a new al Qaeda tape, in which second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri voices support for Hezbollah. MSNBC's Unger: "Al Qaeda's call to arms. Osama's number two, Ayman...

Posted on July 28, 2006 08:29 AM

Politiscope: A Rude Homecoming
Amid the deceptive silence of August, as candidates enter the crucial weeks leading up to Labor Day, writes John Mercurio, incumbents on both sides of the aisle will head home armed with talking points on a long list of issues....

Posted on July 27, 2006 03:50 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Rome Was Built In 2 Days, Right?
ROME WASN'T BUILT IN ONE DAY Talk of the situation in the Middle East continued on the cable nets, focusing on the international conference in Rome that Sec/State Condoleezza Rice attended. NBC's Mitchell: "After struggling for hours, diplomats realized that...

Posted on July 27, 2006 08:43 AM

On The Trail: '08 Isn't Enough
A handful of 2008 presidential prospects have a lot on the line in the 2006 midterm elections, writes Chuck Todd, and some have a little less to gain or lose, so now is as good a time as any to...

Posted on July 26, 2006 01:40 PM

Hotline After Dark -- UN-dignified?
The situation in the Middle East continued to dominate the cable nets' coverage, mainly focusing on UN Sec. Gen. Kofi Annan's reaction to two U.N. observers being killed in Lebanon by an Israeli airstrike. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N....

Posted on July 26, 2006 08:27 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Shuttle Diplomacy In Beirut And Waterbury
Once again, the conflict between Israel and Lebanon was the focus of the cable nets with more correspondents and anchors reporting from the region. Sec/State Condoleezza Rice's Beirut trip also got a lot of attention. CNN's J. King: "A...

Posted on July 25, 2006 07:24 AM

The Saturday Brunch WHAT'S BREWING We're not just rhetorically with Israel. The "made in the USA" label will be on some of the precision bombs Israel plans to use in the next few weeks. Not every WH '08 spouse...

Posted on July 22, 2006 08:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- McCain's Tough Talk
The situation in the Middle East continues to dominate. CNN's Malveaux: "White House officials continue to reject this call for an immediate cease-fire, but they also reject the suggestion that they are simply giving Israel time to neutralize Hezbollah,...

Posted on July 21, 2006 07:16 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Rockstar, Mideast Edition
Once again, coverage of the Middle East dominated cable news. NBC's Mitchell: "At the White House, I'm beginning to hear some concerns about the domestic American response. And when you see the political meter start moving on that, that's...

Posted on July 20, 2006 07:27 AM

On The Trail: Sleepless In Washington
What about this election cycle keeps Hotline editor-in-chief Chuck Todd up at night? Could it be the fed-up voter, immigration, or the legacy of Terri Schiavo? Here's number one -- The Democratic GOTV machine. This is at the top because...

Posted on July 19, 2006 05:18 PM

Hotline After Dark -- Beirut As New Orleans?
Cable TV continues to focus on the Middle East, with correspondents reporting from various points around the region. CNN's Roberts: "It doesn't look like anything substantial is going to happen on the diplomatic front this week. The United States...

Posted on July 19, 2006 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Newt Gets Darker
The Israeli/Lebanon fighting dominated TV last night, with correspondents filing reports from all over the region. And the Pres. Bush/PM Blair conversation got plenty of air play. NBC's Gregory: "Nobody from the White House is backing away from this. Aboard...

Posted on July 18, 2006 07:14 AM

The Saturday Brunch
Most Saturday mornings between now and the election, we'll bring you a buffet of the latest headlines, tell you what's crossing our transom, and end with a helping of the weekend's tastiest buzz. Thoughts? Comments? Coverage you want to...

Posted on July 15, 2006 11:00 AM

The Weekender: Two Theories Of The Democratic '08 Field
Welcome to the Weekender. Each Friday, we'll end the day with a post that probes an idea or a contested race or a political development that fascinates us. Last week, we looked at two models for left-wing internet donations, and...

Posted on July 14, 2006 04:00 PM

Hotline After Dark -- All-Out War?
The Tour de France continued its race while cable raced to cover the situation between Israel and Lebanon. Besides reports from various correspondents, several shows had potential '08ers on to give their takes: Senate Maj. Leader Bill Frist was...

Posted on July 14, 2006 07:26 AM

Hotline After Dark: Make It Work, Washington!
"Project Runway" returns and Bob Novak sewed up questions regarding his role in Valerie Plame case: Novak: "I called Rove. ... I called him for several reasons. I wanted to talk about the column I was writing about the...

Posted on July 13, 2006 07:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Novak Tries To Step On Bud Selig
Baseball had its all-star game last night but pundits were the stars of last night's cable coverage. Bob Novak's revelation that he gave the names of his three sources to the special prosecutor in the Valerie Plame case was...

Posted on July 12, 2006 07:31 AM

Hotline After Dark -- DeLay Pulls Back On Run Threat
Dr. Phil was not the only one dispensing advice yesterday as cable found itself examining different relationships. WHEN THE THREE BRANCHES COLLIDE First up was the court ruling that the admin could search Rep. William Jefferson's office. FNC's Garrett:...

Posted on July 11, 2006 07:34 AM

Hotline After Dark: "Lookout Mountain, New York, You're On With The President" edition
Pres. Bush and Laura Bush were on "LKL" last night. Bush, on the North Korean missiles: "I think he wants us to either fear him or pay attention to him. And I view it as an opportunity. ... to...

Posted on July 7, 2006 08:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Day Before Long Weekend Edition
Our favorite Chicago station (WGN) showed our favorite Chicago movie ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off"). On cable, pundits tried to be as clever: Most of the talk last night focused on the SCOTUS ruling regarding Guantanamo: CNN's Henry: "A slap...

Posted on June 30, 2006 07:31 AM

Hotline After Dark -- That Stench Is Mold
The Weather Channel was all about "Storm Stories" and cable news was all about the rain and floods in the East: Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA) appeared on "LKL," the "Situation Room," and "Live & Direct" to talk about the...

Posted on June 29, 2006 07:27 AM

Hotline After Dark: An Old Newspaper Guy
MSNBC's Shuster: "President Bush and his staff got the headlines they wanted: 'Bush Condemns Report on Sifting of Bank Records'" ("Hardball," 6/27). CNN's Henry: "Unlike the NSA domestic surveillance program, very few Democrats have raised questions about the banking...

Posted on June 28, 2006 07:14 AM

Hotline After Dark: We've Met The Enemy....
There's nothing the media likes more than to debate its own ethics and last night was no exception. There was a lot of talk on the New York Times' story on tracking banking records. Most reporters defended the paper...

Posted on June 27, 2006 08:48 AM

Hotline After Dark: The King And Darth Vader
As baseball season gets underway, cable plays ball on the Iraq issue. But first, CNN was all about its big get (no, not Angelina Jolie): CNN's John King sat down with VP Cheney. Cheney, on the Dem proposals on...

Posted on June 23, 2006 07:35 AM

Hotline After Dark: Gooooooooooooooooal!
Cable's in repeats and Iraq was repeatedly the topic on cable last night: FNC's Garrett, on the Iraq debate: "Congressional Republicans have defied expectations and rallied around a beleaguered White House. ... The key to GOP unity, democratic disunity" ("Special...

Posted on June 22, 2006 07:14 AM

Hotline After Dark -- It's The Heat, Not The Humility
There was basketball, there was Angelina Jolie, but there was also a lot of talk about John Kerry's proposal to withdraw troops from Iraq by the end of the year: FNC's Garrett: "The story about Democratic divisions is well...

Posted on June 21, 2006 07:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Hesitate, Gesitate
While Ben Bradlee and Jim Lehrer examined the state of modern journalism on PBS, cable put theory into practice. Iraq was the big TV topic last night -- both VP Cheney's comments at the Nat'l Press Club and the...

Posted on June 20, 2006 07:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The No Britney Edition
If you didn't want to watch the Britney Spears interview on "Dateline," don't worry, cable discussed it too. Along with the House vote on Iraq and Bill Gates' decision to devote more time to charity work. CNN's Crowley: "The...

Posted on June 16, 2006 07:30 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Pundit-izing With The Stars
While people on Fox thought they could dance, pundits danced around the issue of Pres. Bush's press conference: Time's Mike Allen: "This was the least defensive you've seen the president since maybe December first of 2004. Now one of...

Posted on June 15, 2006 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Wade In With 4thQ Caution
Basketball players were jumping through the hoops last night as were pundits. There was a lot of talk about Pres. Bush's trip to Iraq. There was not a lot of talk about Karl Rove. NBC's Engel: "Bush was being...

Posted on June 14, 2006 07:32 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Category 1 Warning
The small "h" hurricane got a lot more attention than the big "H" version in Carolina. CNN's Roberts: "CNN is your hurricane headquarters. We're tracking Alberto. We will let you know where it is, where it's headed, and how...

Posted on June 13, 2006 07:30 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The McCain-Biden Show
MTV celebrated the movies last night but cable was all Zarqawi, all the time. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Biden were the most visible pols last night. Most of the other guests were retired generals and terrorism experts...

Posted on June 9, 2006 07:20 AM

Hotline After Dark -- O'Reilly v. Kerry, Postponed
The Abu Musab al-Zarqawi news broke early this a.m. so there was nothing about it on the shows last night. However, it was all over the cable/broadcast morning shows this morning. Pres. Bush is scheduled to make a statement...

Posted on June 8, 2006 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Cable Was Ready...
had Dems pulled the upset... The "Situation Room," "Hardball," and "Special Report" all had election night previews. Most of the coverage focused on CA 50 and the national implications of the race. CNN's King: "It is literally Ground Zero, as...

Posted on June 7, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- "Desperation Politics"?
Contestants were seeing if they could make a "Deal or No Deal" but pundits agree, Pres. Bush will get no deal on gay marriage. MSNBC's Shuster: "The question is whether the political strategy will work or whether it will...

Posted on June 6, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- May's Swan Song
The nets are showing repeats, while Sec/State Condoleezza Rice repeated herself across the news channels: On why this statement about Iran now, Rice: "It's time to give the Iranians a clear choice: If they're prepared to negotiate, then the...

Posted on June 1, 2006 07:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- A Holiday Week Edition
Slow is as slow does on the cable channels. "Frontline" examined the history AIDS, cable focused on what happened with the Marines at Haditha, Iraq. "Hardball" focused on the incident on Haditha. It was the lead story on "Countdown."...

Posted on May 31, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- We're Never In Reruns
Who needs to air a presser when you can see a member of the Bush family on "Access Hollywood?" The fallout from the Pres. Bush/PM Tony Blair presser: FNC's Hume: "The White House made quite an effort to get...

Posted on May 26, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Don't Get "Lost," Get Even
We're no longer "Lost" and "American Idol" has sang its last song, but cable will always be there. ABC's Ross was on "GMA" this morning to address the controversy surrounding his report on Speaker Denny Hastert: "Despite flat and...

Posted on May 25, 2006 07:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Hump Day Edition
The candidates sang on "American Idol," and it gave cable something to sing about. FNC's O'Reilly, in his "Talking Points" memo: "Our republic demands citizens pay attention in order for the best people to be elected. Is that happening...

Posted on May 24, 2006 07:29 AM

Hotline After Dark
It was the last minutes of "24" for Jack Bauer, but he'll always have cable news. While there was some talk of Pres. Bush's still declining poll numbers and the situation in Iraq, most of the political talk centered...

Posted on May 23, 2006 07:53 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Sweeps Week
A shocker on the "O.C." and -- even more shocking -- Pres. Bush gives one-on-one interviews with various network WH correspondents. FNC's Cameron: "The president invited network reporters for brief one-on-one interviews at one location where officials say hundreds...

Posted on May 19, 2006 08:13 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Bare "Bones" Edition
It was bare "Bones" on cable last night as pundits hit a variety of topics. "Hardball" led with Pres. Bush's poll numbers. And Chris Matthews turned movie critic, asking his guests: "I have to ask you a political question....

Posted on May 18, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Did A Certain Speech Fall Flat?
There was a doctor in the "House" and pundits on call as immigration reform returned as the main topic of TV last night. CNN's Dobbs: "One day after the president's prime-time immigration and border security speech, the split between...

Posted on May 17, 2006 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Walk, Don't Run, For The Border
Who needs "Law & Order" when Pres. Bush is playing border cop. All the broadcast and cable nets had coverage of Bush's speech. The broadcast nets quickly returned to regular programming. NBC had Tim Russert discuss the speech with...

Posted on May 16, 2006 07:25 AM

Hotline After Dark -- What's That Tapping Sound?
Solving crimes on "CSI," solving the latest wire tapping scandal on cable. The fallout from the USA Today story on the NSA's phone call database continued last night. NPR's Liasson: "The interesting thing to me about this story is...

Posted on May 12, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Lotts Of Interesting Thots
"American Idol" shocked viewers when Chris Daughtry was cut. And Trent Lott had some shocking words on "Hardball." Lott was his usual outspoken self. Asked about Pres. Bush's comment about brother Jeb Bush's '08 potential, Lott: "Well, certainly you...

Posted on May 11, 2006 07:22 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Ready For Takeoff
"Veronica Mars" solves the mystery while cable topics are not so mysterious. It was a hodge-podge of topics on TV last night -- the Michael Hayden nomination, the letter from the Iranian president to the WH, and Pres. Bush's...

Posted on May 10, 2006 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- No Deal?
It was "Deal or No Deal" as cable discussed CIA chief nominee Gen. Michael Hayden. Again, most of the criticism concerned his military status and his role in the wire tapping program. CNN's Henry: "The White House immediately facing...

Posted on May 9, 2006 07:24 AM

Hotline After Dark -- C.U.I. Edition (Clicking Under The Influence)
Drama on the "The O.C."; drama on cable: When a congressman with the last name of Kennedy gets into a car accident where his soberity is questioned, cable news pays attention. Lots of coverage of Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)...

Posted on May 5, 2006 07:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- "Idol" "Lost"
Instead of talking about "American Idol" results, cable talked about the result of the Zacarias Moussaoui trial. Ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani: "Obviously I'm personally involved in this, but I would have preferred a different verdict. But it does show...

Posted on May 4, 2006 07:23 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Giving Cable A Scrub-ing
"Scrubs" was funny but cable is a serious business. "Hardball" led with an investigation into what led up to the Iraq war. MSNBC's Matthews: "Somebody is responsible for this war. Is it the president, the politicians in Congress who...

Posted on May 3, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Toasted Mana
It was "7th Heaven" for the WB and the immigration protest rallies were mana from heaven for the cable nets. Coverage of the rallies dominated cable news last night. Anderson Cooper did his show live from the L.A. protests....

Posted on May 2, 2006 07:21 AM

Hotline After Dark -- The Sting Edition
PBS showed "All the President's Men" last night, but cable had scandals of its own to talk about. BUT FIRST ... Brian Williams anchored “Nightly News” from New Orleans, where he got an interview with Pres. Bush. Asked about...

Posted on April 28, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark -- What's Your Cable Alias
"Alias" kicks butt on ABC, pundits kick it on cable: Lots of admin news happening yesterday, leaving reporters to talk about Tony Snow and Karl Rove all in one breath. WHY CAN'T WE JUST ALL GET ALONG? Snow stopped...

Posted on April 27, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark
If "American Idol" doesn't give you something to sing about, you can always turn to cable. Reporters must have filled their cars up yesterday because none of them seemed too impressed with Pres. Bush's gas plan: MSNBC's Shuster described...

Posted on April 26, 2006 10:20 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Two And A Half Kings
Gas prices are high, there are still illegal immigrants and Pres. Bush's poll numbers continue to stay low -- all of which you'd know if you had watched cable last night. David Gregory hosted "Hardball" last night and most...

Posted on April 25, 2006 07:42 AM

Hotline After Dark -- My Name Is Wolf
Everyone may hate Chris on UPN, but he's much loved on cable, debuting a new feature last night. MSNBC's Matthews: "Tonight on 'Hardball,' it's the debut of 'Hardball' plaza. We're talking to the people." What's interesting is that the...

Posted on April 21, 2006 07:27 AM

Hotline After Dark
"Law and Order" may rule the broadcast nets, but cable will always give us chaos. The WH staff changes were the talk of TV last night: MSNBC's Olbermann noted of the next WH spokesperson: "The first three rumored candidates...

Posted on April 20, 2006 07:18 AM

Hotline After Dark
The "Veronica Mars" mystery remains unsolved as cable tries to figure out whether Rumsfeld will stay or go. "Special Report" led with Pres. Bush's support for Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld at yesterday's presser. FNC's Cameron: "Officials say they are...

Posted on April 19, 2006 07:15 AM

Hotline After Dark
Who needs "24" when you have the cable news networks? With Chris Matthews in New Orleans to host the the mayoral debate, "Hardball" focused on the city's recovery efforts along with some discussion on Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld. Ex-FEMA...

Posted on April 18, 2006 07:18 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Powered Up!
You can catch Hotline references in "Commander-in-Chief," or you can catch the commander-in-chief in the Hotline. RUMBLING WITH RUMSFELD Most of the talk on CNN was the calls for Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld's resignation. CNN's Malveaux appeared on most...

Posted on April 14, 2006 07:17 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Lost Edition
If you want model behavior, you're better off with cable, not UPN. There was no dominant topic on TV last night. Among the issues discussed: immigration, the Flight 93 tapes, Pres. Bush's approval ratings, and the situation with Iran....

Posted on April 13, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark
You have your idols, we have cable. And with Congress on recess the nets are struggling to fill hours of air time. Most of shows featured packaged reports instead of interviews with guests. Chris Matthews was in CA and...

Posted on April 12, 2006 07:14 AM

Hotline After Dark
Did you have two and a half men sitting in your living room instead of Bill O'Reilly? Well, never fear, we TiVO'd it all. Immigration was the talk of the tube last night with the nets featuring reports from...

Posted on April 11, 2006 07:08 AM

Hotline After Dark: What You Missed Last Night
HOTLINE AFTER DARK If you're not into "My Name Is Earl," there's always the man named Kerry: Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) was on "Hardball" and the "Situation Room": On reports Pres. Bush declasssifed info: "If it's true, it proves...

Posted on April 7, 2006 07:23 AM

Hotline After Dark
We know you got "Lost" in your own world last night so... "Hardball" focused on fallout from Tom DeLay's resignation, with ex-Rep. Vin Weber (R-MN), Pat Buchanan, and ex-San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown. DNC Chair Howard Dean also stopped by:...

Posted on April 6, 2006 07:19 AM

Hotline After Dark: What You Missed Last Night
Tom DeLay continued his TV tour, stopping by the "Situation Room," "Special Report" and "Hardball." Asked if he wants to be a lobbyist, DeLay: "I don't know what the future holds for me. I'm in God's hands and he...

Posted on April 5, 2006 11:26 AM

Hotline After Dark -- Justice DeLayed
The Tom DeLay news broke so late you would almost think it was part of the late night laughs. But it was no laughing matter and TV rushed to get the news out there. MSNBC's Chris Matthews announced the news...

Posted on April 4, 2006 07:11 AM

Hotline After Dark -- What You Missed Thursday Night
Apparently "Earl" had to die so we decided to stick to cable. Lots of coverage of Jill Carroll's release. But there were also lots of pols on last night: House Min. Leader Nancy Pelosi was on "NewsHour." She said she...

Posted on March 31, 2006 07:15 AM

The Futures Market: Ohio
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. After making in-roads into Toledo-based...

Posted on March 30, 2006 10:53 AM

Hotline After Dark: What You Missed On Wednesday's Chat Shows
In case you were watching the "George Lopez Show," we were watching the cable news nets: "Special Report" led with the U.N.'s statement on Iran and its nuclear program. And on the day Jack Abramoff was sentenced, the Senate...

Posted on March 30, 2006 07:47 AM

Hotline After Dark
For those who watched too much "Scrubs" and not enough of cable news. Most of the shows led with Andy Card's resignation -- although Lou Dobbs still led with immigration. A lot of ex-WH CoSes made appearances, giving their...

Posted on March 29, 2006 07:12 AM

Hotline After Dark
What you missed on the chat shows... "Hardball" led off with a David Shuster piece on how the admin is dealing with Iraq in light of the latest bombings and the British memo on the war's origins: "The latest revelation...

Posted on March 28, 2006 09:19 AM

Hotline After Dark
Did you miss cable's primetime talk last night? We've got your rundown: The "Situation Room" led with reports on immigration reform. Contributors Donna Brazile and Bill Bennett discussed Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld, the situation in Iraq and whether Pres. Bush...

Posted on March 24, 2006 07:09 AM

Lessons Learned: The Surprises
More, from Wednesday's Hotline. We asked several dozen top GOP and Dem strategists to tell us what surprised them about the 2005 elections....

Posted on November 10, 2005 11:19 AM

Miers: The Back Story
More reporting from today's Hotline: One Bush aide acknowledged that Miers vetting had been rushed and left out much of what's been discovered by the press since the announcement. Senior admin. officials were slow to more widely distribute what information...

Posted on October 27, 2005 01:23 PM

Copyright 2007 by National Journal Group Inc.
The Watergate · 600 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-739-8400 · fax 202-833-8069
NationalJournal.com is an Atlantic Media publication.

Evolving wisdom from the Hotline staff.

Contact Us

Search

Recent Entries

Archives

RESOURCES

STAFF