[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Tax Cut Rally - Only On Five

[Email subscription to blog articles]

Posted by Speed Gibson:
Tax Cut Rally - Only On Five
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1208066446.shtml


   It was a busy news day for a Saturday and the Jason Lewis Tax Cut
   Rally didn't get the big crowd like last year. So I'll cut our local
   stations some slack for not choosing to cover it. In fact, only one
   did - KSTP-TV Channel 5. Their report estimated the crowd at about
   1,000 which personally I think is a bit low.
   It was their lead story at 5 pm, running 2 minutes, reported by Chris
   Keating. Some balance was offered by Matt Entenza on the $6 billion
   transportation bill, correctly observing that it was over several
   years, but rather misleadingly saying it would be addressing
   congestion and replacing the I-35W bridge. All in all, it was a good
   segment, including a few words from Leigh (Mrs. Jason) Lewis. But
   Keating stumbled on the closing line.

     "So where does Minnesota rank nationally? Well according to
     Minnesota 2020, when you consider all the taxes we pay, Minnesota
     falls in at ... 31st."

   Of course, [1]Minnesota 2020 is Mr. Entenza's "progressive,
   non-partisan think tank" that "focuses on the issues that really
   matter." He is also the chief protagonist for the left on the Face Off
   segment on KSTP-TV's "At Issue with Tom Hauser" Sundays at 10 AM.
   A fresh cut appeared on their 6 pm news, again about 2 minutes, and
   again with that obviously false tag line about Minnesota being 31st
   overall. The lowest ranking I have ever seen anywhere at any time was
   about 14th. Maybe [2]King at SCSCU Scholars is best qualified to set
   this record straight.
   At 10 pm, the 5 pm footage was essentially replayed, but this time,
   that tag line was gone, never to return. (Did Tom Hauser phone his
   office?) This was replayed in their 6:00 AM Sunday news, and with a 30
   second cut in their 8:00 AM Sunday edition.
   ***
   I've come to this conclusion many times, from coverage of many
   stories, and a detailed sampling of the competing 10 pm news
   broadcasts. KSTP-TV is our best local news operation, and by a wide
   margin. In particular, they have the best political reporter, Tom
   Hauser. Unlike his close second Eric Escola, Hauser works hard to
   maintain a good balance.

References

   1. http://mn2020.org/
   2. http://www.scsuscholars.com/