What was the thinking?

I, personally, blogged CNN/AP’s “news” coverage of the event, which was more of an editorialization. Pretty egregious stuff for “front page, breaking news”:

“Democratic presidential hopefuls flashed their anti-war credentials Thursday night, robustly criticizing President Bush’s Iraq policy in an unusually early first debate of the 2008 campaign.”

“There were moments of levity, as when Williams referred to Biden’s reputation for “verbosity” and asked whether he had the discipline to be a player on the world stage.

‘Yes,’ the Delaware lawmaker replied with uncharacteristic brevity. ”

Not surprisingly, Bush’s Iraq war policy found no supporters on the debate stage.

etc.

Please. Just report the news and let me come to my own conclusions, thankyouverymuch.

The only thing surprising about Gravel’s treatment or lack of it by CNN is that they haven’t yet trotted out one of those “sources say” items alleging that thirty-seven years ago, upon the death of some close relative, Gravel was prescribed six Miltown tranquilizer tablets. “Gravel On Psych Meds Says Ex-Nurse” would be a likely title.

Even when a candidate impresses me, I have to stop and remind myself that unless you’re born a billionaire, it’s just about impossible to rake together enough cash to get in the game without selling your soul to SOMEbody.

Although I am a “political news junky,” I never heard of him before yesterday’s debate. Now that I have, I must say, I am extremely impressed! What a sad commentary on the state of America that hearing plain truth spoken on the mainstream media (and to Power) comes across as SO brisk and refreshing. I need to look into the details of his specific policy proposals more closely, but my gut reaction tells me he just converted a die-hard Kucinista from 2004. Although since you’re 77 years old, you should keep him around as veep. Or Ron Paul.

Detailed policy scrutiny will come. Initial red flags include eliminating the federal income tax (unconstitutional already) in favor of a national sales tax, which will be regressive and national referendums/initiatives, which in many cases (California especially) have proven to be easily manipulated by Big Money, not People Power as hoped.

All that aside, I heard righteous anger spoken with precision and force against candidates and a political-economic-military system all-too-accustomed to letting uni-party, blow-dried, finger-to-the-wind, cardboard cut-outs get away with saying nothing whatsoever while sustaining the imperial program of endless war and corporate rapine.

That critique is what I want to hear more of, and lots of it. Gravel, give me hope in America again. Maybe then this blog will stop calling America Amerikkka.

Gravel, be careful you don’t get “Wellstoned” or “Deaned.” And expect to be called a “kook” or – the worst epithet of all – “unelectable.” But stick to your guns. America is hungry for your message.

I e-mailed CNN and some other organizations early this afternoon when I noticed this myself, now lets see what else is done about it