Monday Media Lowlights
After news broke that New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has been identified as “Client Number 9″ in a federal wiretap linking him to a prostitution ring, Spitzer gave the shortest press conference in history (see video below). The whole thing clocked in at about a minute, leaving the cable news talking heads with a whole afternoon of airtime to fill. So they did what they do best: they misreported the facts, speculated on topics that they don’t know much about, and spouted a bunch of unsubstantiated opinions.
The party started with FOX News incorrectly (or prematurely) reporting that Spitzer would be indicted and that he was going to resign, according to The New York Times‘ City Room blog. Then, on CNBC, Jim Cramer, who it turns out is a friend of Spitzer, was absolutely shell-shocked. “I hope it’s not true,” Cramer said; “I just hope it’s not true. If it’s true, it’s obviously very sad. It’s bad.” (If you’re unfamiliar with Cramer’s abilities as a performer, watch this clip.)
Over on MSNBC, Alan Dershowitz defended Spitzer, suggesting that it was America’s fault for being a “pandering society and hypocritical society.” And one of the best cable news moments of the day goes to Tucker Carlson, who was on the same broadcast. Carlson continued with Dershowitz’s tack, suggesting not that this story is a product of our society, but that it’s an outgrowth of the filthy, scandal-obsessed, sex-crazed media: “You see the press, a group that has, frankly, pretty unconventional personal lives, by and large, getting all high-handed that a grown man went to a prostitute is nauseating,” Carlson said. “I just think this is one of the least sleazy things he’s done.” (HuffPo has the whole clip.)
Monday, of course, was a big day for Carlson, as it was announced this morning that his show would be taken off the air and that David Gregory would be taking his place. Perhaps he was just passive aggressively blowing off some steam when they asked him about Spitzer. Ah, well, that’s probably better for his psyche than hitting the dance floor.
Mark, you had to mention Alan Dershowitz, didn’t you! I just hope the feds are tapping his line. He looks like a guy with a lot of kinky secrets. Why else would he be so defensive of the Spitz?