Politics

By Jay Newton-Small

MEDIA WATCH

The Russert Treatment

It's a campaign ritual--fielding questions by Tim Russert on Meet the Press. His famous interview style seeks to trap politicians with their own words. But does the technique shed light on the candidates or does it require them to spend time providing context for their previous statements, crowding out more meaningful queries? It was Barack Obama's turn on Nov. 11; the previous week, Fred Thompson's. The Russert ratio of gotcha to substance questions was 24 to 17.

24:17

RATIO OF GOTCHA TO SUBSTANCE

DOUBLE TAKE

Having gone 0 for 8 with Democratic presidential candidates, political consultant Bob Shrum is exporting his golden touch as an adviser to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. On Sept. 24, Brown delivered an address that bore Shrum's fingerprints, including phrases strikingly similar to those in speeches by former clients Bill Clinton and Al Gore. And true to form, Brown's Labour Party promptly dropped in the polls.

WHAT THEY SAID

GORE: "Sometimes people say I'm too serious, that I talk too much substance and policy."

WHAT HE SAID

BROWN: "Sometimes people say I am too serious and I fight too hard, and maybe that's true."

WHAT THEY SAID

CLINTON: "As we move into this next century, everybody matters. We don't have a person to waste."

WHAT HE SAID

BROWN: "This is the century where our country cannot afford to waste the talents of anyone."

WHAT THEY SAID

GORE: "I pledge to you tonight: I will work for you every day, and I will never let you down."

WHAT HE SAID

BROWN: "This is my pledge to the British people: I will not let you down."

WHAT THEY SAID

CLINTON: "There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America."

WHAT HE SAID

BROWN: "There is no weakness in Britain today that cannot be overcome by the strengths of the British people."

GOD-O-METER

Second Coming?

The National Right to Life Committee's Nov. 13 endorsement couldn't have come at a better time for Fred Thompson. The folksy former actor got off to a rocky start with social conservatives--advertising his spotty church attendance, punting on questions about Terri Schiavo and displaying insufficient opposition to gay marriage. But Thompson recently hired a top Christian Right activist to improve relations. And in a new TV ad in Iowa, he boasts of his antiabortion record and asks viewers to "remember that our rights come from God, not from government." He'll be looking now for a pro-life boost in the polls.

[This article contains a chart. Please see hardcopy or pdf.]

SECULARIST

o 6

10

THEOCRAT

Three's a Crowd. Clinton's rivals jockey with a wary eye on each other

In the racing world it's called drafting--staying right behind the leader until she wears out and then vaulting past her at the finish. In the competition for the Democratic presidential nomination, Hillary Clinton has two racers on her heels, and so far they have worked well in tandem. But as Clinton shows signs of flagging, Barack Obama and John Edwards are facing a difficult choice: continue to focus their attacks on the front runner or go after each other.

Approximately 70% of likely Iowa Democratic caucusgoers are either undecided or not supporting Clinton. But most observers say that to topple her, the anti-Hillary vote must rally around one of her rivals. Obama took the first shot, telling the Washington Post, "If John wants to make the comparison between the work I did as a community organizer ... to him working as a trial lawyer making millions of dollars, I'm happy to have that discussion." Edwards fired back: "I believe there's a fight in front of us ... And that means you've got to have somebody who will fight."

Still, both campaigns know that attacking each other is a dangerous move. Clinton is the only one who will benefit if they take each other out. With Obama gaining in the polls, Clinton may soon find herself needing to help out her most vociferous critic--Edwards--to keep Obama from solidifying the anti-Hillary vote.