SNL's Debate Skits Drive Media Coverage
Hillary Clinton invoked the Saturday Night Live Debate skit in the Cleveland match-up, punctuated it by an appearance on the program, and successfully shifted the media narrative to media frenzy of self-flagellation.
The debate moment could easily have been interpreted as an extended "whine," an oddity in an otherwise serious encounter, but such was not the case. Why?
Attacking the Media:
The media often protests their independence and "balance" but when these "standards" are questioned they seem unable resist the vortex of reflection, self-incrimination, and "over" compensation. The common-wisdom argues that attacking the media is dangerous yet in the Cleveland instance it seems that wrapping the attack in humor and popular culture worked. (Stay tuned, however, as the jury is still out--the media has `some' memory.)
As Politico observed the essence of SNL "Pillow talk" was the media's neutrality.
Media response below the cut
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: SNL, Media spin, narrative, entertainment, Cleveland debate
Austin (City) LIMITS - Change Debate Results in Little Change
Debates can change the dynamic of an election, but they can just as easily solidify the narratives controlling a contest. Tonight's CNN/Univision Debate at the LBJ Library in Austin likely did the latter.
I believe three things happened that convince me the debate will better serve Obama's purpose than a Clinton shakeup.
1. Clinton's finest moment of all nineteen debates was, in the end, a concession.
2. Obama's narratives were sustained, even advanced.
3. The ability for Hillary to go negative after the debate was functionally forfeited.
Each point is found in statements directly from the debate.
I. Clinton's Closing.
Hillary's closing statement was perhaps her best moment in the campaign. For a rare moment ambitions, history, and wonkish manner were traded for what felt authentic, moving, grounded. She showed humanity, a genuine rationale for "hanging in there," and invited the affect that delivered New Hampshire. Of course closing statements alone cannot sustain 24/7 news needs for long, assuring other interchanges will soon dominate.
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: Austin, Democratic Debate, Obama, Clinton, Narrative, Negativity
