It's politics at its finest, if news media will let folks see it

By Neal Justin, Star Tribune

Last update: August 28, 2008 - 11:06 PM

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If Marc Antony were eulogizing his pal Julius Caesar today, he'd be lucky to get two minutes of air time -- unless, of course, he was booked during prime time at a political convention.

Much of this week's coverage in Denver has been dedicated to journalists and pundits polluting the airwaves with bullying, bile and baloney, a transparent attempt to spin the Democrats' carefully orchestrated, self-congratulatory party into a backbiting episode of "Knots Landing."

But when the media shut their mouths and aimed their cameras at the podium, viewers were treated to something that's exceedingly rare in this sound-bite era: Full, articulate, inspiring oratory.

The news media loathes turning over its microphones to politicians, and for good reason. Nobody wants to see news turn into an infomercial. But conventions are an exception, if only because parties bend over backward to showcase their most eloquent speakers, providing Americans invaluable proof that it's possible to send a powerful message without texting on your cell phone.

All of the major broadcasters allowed viewers to watch an uninterrupted, unfiltered showcase speech every night this week -- Michelle Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, Barack Obama -- and it's made for compelling TV.

It's just too bad they haven't done more of it.

At most, NBC, CBS and ABC dedicated a single hour of prime real estate to the convention every night. Maybe that's for the best -- they'd probably use any extra time to rehash the so-called super-duper tension between Hillary and Barack, while trying to prove that commentators were the smartest, most insightful in the business. However, if they promised to sit back and let us watch more of the speeches -- not to mention some of the top-notch films the party has been screening -- I'd happily wait another two weeks to see who advances on "America's Got Talent."

Unfortunately, even the 24-hour cable news stations would rather show their hosts twiddling their thumbs (or each other's thumbs) than showcase our current and future leaders.

John Kerry gave what may have been the most fiery, impressive speech of his life, but it was available live only at a couple of places, most notably PBS, which has been a glorious retreat these past few days, short on insidious, idiotic commentary and long on listening to what's actually happening on stage.

Fox viewers missed Kerry's moment because they had to put up with a childish exchange between anchor Sean Hannity and former candidate Michael Dukakis, who looked anything but presidential.

At least Fox personalities weren't fighting with each other. Over at MSNBC, "Morning Joe" Scarborough inexplicably ripped into a network correspondent while Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews got into such a babyish exchange, I thought one of them was going to start crying for his mommy.

More TV journalists need to turn around in their skyboxes, pay attention to center stage and remind themselves -- and us -- who the real stars of the convention are supposed to be.

njustin@startribune.com • 612-673-7431

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