MSNBC Does a "Delayed" Classy Job with NH Debate
One can justifiably question the exclusivity of cable network coverage of presidential primary debates as more about being played as promotional devices for MSNBC (and others) than bringing candidates and voters together. MSNBC did a classy job of bringing the candidates (and Fox before) to the central issues and giving insight into the candidates (and their views). CNN failed miserably the same challenge in earlier programs, having a foreground/background slippage with candidates in service to the networks.
If access to the debate is important MSNBC did a great job with their web efforts. This was not clear from the outset however. Spending the pre-debate period promising streaming video, those who went to their site found a commercial and a blank screen indicating the streaming video was unavailable. The problem continued for perhaps an hour of the program. Leave it to Comedy Central to notice. They posted the "bait and switch" soon after the debate began.
