Update [2005-6-29 10:13:59 by susanhu]: Sent to me by JPol aka Jerry: Media Life reports that “Bush’s Iraq speech tanks with public — Only 19 million tune in across four networks.” (Story below the fold.)
“Howard Dean, chairman of the [DNC], said Bush’s 30-minute speech showcased ‘the darkness of divisiveness, attempting to garner support for his failed policies by pandering to fear, rather than inspiring us with a plan for hope.'” – from the UPI story via HowieInSeattle.
Among the headlines this morning:
- Bush slammed for Iraq link to 9/11, CNN Int’l
- Bush Flops in Prime Time, The Dissident
- US faces catch-22 as President rallies support, The Age (Australia)
- Bush criticized for linking 9/11, Iraq, Xinhua (China)
- Bush ‘exploiting 9/11’, News 24 (So. Africa)
- Bush Condemned for Bid to Link War with 9/11, Scotsman (UK)
- More headlines via Google News
Update [2005-6-29 10:11:26 by susanhu]:
Only 19 million tune in across four networks
When the White House said Monday that President Bush would be giving a speech Tuesday night, several networks balked, wondering if carrying the speech would be worth rearranging their entire schedule.
NBC, Fox and CBS finally relented late yesterday, but the speech did indeed throw off television viewership, with low numbers for the speech and low numbers for several premieres.
President Bush’s 8 p.m. update on the war in Iraq averaged just 19.13 million total viewers on the big four broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, according to Nielsen overnights.
That’s down 41 percent from the 32.75 million who watched Bush on the Big Four during a primetime press conference in April, though that speech took place on the first night of May sweeps, when television viewership overall was higher.
Last night’s address drew 21.8 percent fewer viewers than Bush’s State of the Union address in January, which brought in 26.6 million total viewers via the Big Four.
June 29, 2005 © 2005 Media Life
flying the flag on Independence Day with support for his invasion of Iraq is an example of this divisiveness.
My love for my country is second to none, but I’m ashamed of my President.
I’m curious about Mr. Dean’s plan for hope. He needs to speak up a great deal more on this issue.
Thanks for the news roundup, Susan. It’s interesting that most of the international headlines are about the 9/11 lie, whereas several U.S. papers showcase “the sacrifice is worth it.” I didn’t watch the speech, but the dutiful network news shows last night made it seem like he’d done a good job.
Viewed pursly as a speech, it was a well-written speech and he delivered it well (much better than usual).
But, any moral or legal or political or intellectual or whatever kind of investigation would show it to be without merit or truth.
Take a look at the Houston Chronicle front page today (pdf). Seriously, go look at that front page.
First of all, I think, more and more Americans are going to pick up their paper in their front yards or walk past a news stand and think – “Worth it? Are you shitting me?”
And if it isn’t crystal clear – LOOK at the column of numbers to the left of the pic of W on the Chronicle’s front page. Kudos to the Houston Chronicle – here in my deep red state.
[From the Newseum’s Today’s Front Pages. Awesome site.]
YEAH! Very powerful!
And thanks for telling us about that site! (Is that where Aaron Brown gets his front pages?)
about Aaron Brown. Got the link over at dKos this morning. OT – sent you a couple of emails and still waiting . . . . for reply. Need some info. Here comes another.
I agree, Janet. That’s exactly what I thought when I saw the headlines. And I second your Houston Chronicle kudos. I was struck that in contrast with the international press, the U.S. press still shies away from calling Bush on the Iraq/terrorism/9-11 connection. Now some headlines say “Democrats” complain about using 9-11 in the speech. But the articles don’t explain there was no connection.