The thing I simply don't understand about News Networks and their reliance on punditry...

[Bicoastal]

...we always know what they're going to say.

If the commentator is a liberal Democrat, they're going to think a specch by Michelle Obama was superb.

If the commentator is a conservative Republican, they're going to think a speech by Michelle Obama was "not so hot."

So what service does this do us as a viewer? I mean, this isn't even a point about bias. It's a diatribe on the level of trust people insure in their TeeVees these days--they won't or can't think for themselves, so they watch highly-paid personalities do it for them. And an awful lot of people don't care what THEY thought of Michelle's speech--they care what a majority of the media ends up saying about it, then go with that--and from there, the consensus emergeth.

And I gotta tell ya, after it was all over, I found myself sitting there going--"Well, I loved the speech--didn't I? Geez, I guess I don't know--what does Keith say?"

[freethought]

1. Pundits and analysts

are cheaper than hiring real journalists to do real journalism.

[Triana]

2. They have Democratic commentators? I've never seen any. During the DNC

they have all Republican pundits. During the RNC they have all Republican pundits. Nary a Democrat in sight.

[FrenchieCat]

3. "Liberal" Democrats commentating? OK.

I'm glad I don't have to ask what I like. I know. That's why I rarely watch these assholes. Most know less than us. Shit, some try to tear at Michelle, yet they could never do what she did as effectively as she did it. They are wannebe pricks....most of them anyways.

[brooklynite]

4. It fills time...

seriously, they have 24 hours to fill up and there aren't enough "kitten in a tree" stories to go around.

[Berry Cool]

5. Keith isn't a liberal Democrat; he doesn't even vote.

However, he is a real journalist.

But if you're unable to form your own opinions anymore without finding out what he thinks first, you really have to get back in touch with yourself and your feelings.

I'm capable of watching TV and continuing to think for myself. I know how I felt about that speech. Had KO said he didn't feel anything the same, I'd be saying "WTF??? Was he listening to the same speech I was???"

I admire Keith, but nobody thinks for me.