It’s a Hattrick!!! Third Straight Weird Week in Politics – “The Sunday Political Brunch”
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
It’s a Hattrick!!! Third Straight Weird Week in Politics – “The Sunday Political Brunch”
“ABC and Former VP Biden” – Host George Stephanopoulos interviewed former Vice President Joe Biden. It was low-key and non-confrontational. I know George and have worked with him, and respect his political savvy and experience. But ABC management should have used its head and picked someone else to moderate. George was a long-time Democratic operative, and President Bill Clinton’s first Communications Director. With him interviewing (and mostly non-aggressively) the Democratic nominee, it made it look like he was going easy on Biden. That’s not the look a major network like ABC needs. It appeared as if he was lobbing softballs.
“NBC and President Trump” – By sharp contrast NBC anchor Savannah Guthrie was far more aggressive with President Trump. Good for her! We need to hold our leaders accountable especially on issues as serious as COVID-19. After Trump tested positive the day after the first debate, Guthrie asked, “Did you take a test on the day of the debate?” Trump said, “I probably did, and I took a test the day before, and I was always in great shape.” She followed up and was relentless. He wasn’t sure of the timeline. Surely, he would remember. That’s what good reporters do. Yes, it may seem impolite and boorish, but we try to get the truth.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“The Big Picture” – Accusations of media bias have always been there and will always be there. It’s the nature of the beast. The perception of bias is so often in the viewfinder of the partisan supporter and those on the other side of the aisle. My barometer has always been that if people from opposite parties both complain about my story, then I’ve probably done a good job on the balancing act. But the NBC-ABC events of Thursday night will only fuel the conspiracy theories that the mainstream media gangs up on Republicans (not true). But the dueling town halls made it look like ABC and NBC said secretly, “Let’s beat up on Trump, and put white gloves on for Biden!” They just make my day-to-day job as a fair political reporter that much harder. The duel town halls were a farce.
“The Hunt for Hunter Biden” – There have been reports from time to time about Hunter Biden, the son of the Democratic nominee, and whether his dad helped him get lucrative business deals with a former Soviet state when he was vice-president. I don’t know if it’s true or not. But there are emails and other communications and actions out there that need to be looked at. Then there are the stories, that the whole conspiracy was concocted to make Biden look corrupt in the waning days of the campaign. I have no idea what fact is, and what is fiction. But in the final days of the campaign, I think Biden should be asked about it and address it. If he thinks it’s meritless BS, fine! But the fact that the ABC town hall moderator never even asked, is rank, journalistic malpractice.
“But, What’s Good for the Goose?" – More than anything, I’m about fairness, and answer questions and concerns from both side of the aisle. Yes, let’s get a look-see at Hunter and VP Biden’s emails to see if there were special deals and preferential treatment. But at the same time, Donald Trump is the only president in modern America history who has not granted access to his tax returns. Look, I get he’s being audited; I’ve been there. But, give us as much full disclosure as you can. Put it out there for scrutiny. At the very least let’s see the 1040, along with Schedule A and Schedule C. We’re all adults here. We can handle it and he can, too!
“A Supreme Choice?” – It got a lot of media attention, but I don’t think as much public attention due to COVID-19. But the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S Supreme Court appears to put her on the glide path to confirmation. While Democrats raised concerns about her positions on abortion rights and others, I believe she’ll get full Senate confirmation before Election Day. Will there be political backlash? Could be. Stay tuned!
“Debate #3?” – I am hoping beyond hope, that this week’s scheduled third presidential debate on Thursday, October 22 in Nashville will happen. Debates are primarily for the voters, not for the candidates, so let’s hear their voices! Transparency is king!
Tell us what you want to hear from the political candidates in the final days of Campaign 2020. Leave a comment below and let us know.
