Obama Scandal Tanks MSNBC Ratings - Quality versus Politics – the Decline of MSNBC and Lack of Substance

The jury is out - boring, one-dimensional programming is only sustainable for a short period of time - image mediate.com
A theory that the problems dogging the Obama Administration is the root cause of MSNBC’sdismal rankings this past week – the networked pulled only 83,000 in the coveted 25-54 demographics, placing last behind CNN’s Headline News Network. (Deadline.com) The fact that the content has not changed over the past seven years, regardless of which commentator is on-air, is the main problem this network faces. In the grand scheme of cable news programming, the word “news” is an integral part of the programming, which, MSNBC does not offer in any great measures. The competition, Fox and CNN, placing first and second respectively, although considered politically leaning news programs, the fact that they have dedicated newscasts, gives these networks the edge. Talking heads aplenty, as well as programming that features both sides of the political spectrum can be found on these networks as well. Unfortunately, MSNBC’s format of talk, talk, talk and one-dimensional political rhetoric is only sustainable for a short period of time.

Generally the network does best in a general election year, however, at this stage one could easily look at multi-year rankers and get the gist – the other guys must be doing something other than three to four recognizable “commentators” who spend more time ranting that their competitive network counterparts.

One would think that after having thrown good money after bad for an extended period of time, somebody might get the hint – it’s time to change the format. There is certainly a market for the counter-culture that is MSNBC – college students should be enamored, as well as those who lean left politically – yet it’s those individuals in the middle, neither right nor left, that make up the bulk of those who are watching cable news. Although the argument can (and has) been made that both CNN and FOX are politically “biased”, they at least offer other segments that are more in gear with the major networks rather than a cable basic.
Personalities are key as well, considering those whose successes are both on and off screen at the “other networks” should apply as a key hiring or firing point for anyone who has any sense left at the network that can’t quite get out off the ground. Aging old white men, with little to no sense of humor, who are not anchors, should have something to recommend them – besides being comic fodder for other networks and talk radio hosts.

The fact that the Administration is under the gun, is not at issue, regardless of how far the crew at MSNBC either avoids or dismisses or outright defends, the IRS Scandal, Benghazi, Fast and Furious, Wire-tapping the AP, etc.. Perhaps if someone got the bright idea of reporting, then discussing issues (find one), rather than spending far too much time tearing down the “other guy” or an entire political party, they might just attract a broader audience, or at least hold onto those who had watched during the general.

Regardless the content and the delivery have made MSNBC the cable network equivalent of Air America. Dissent and discussion are worthy of programming but changing it up, on occasion, is what continues to draw numbers for the competition.

Criticism Mounts from both the Far Left and the Far Right – Bizarre Questions Arise About Texas Gov. Rick Perry – Timed for Iowa Announcement?

Comedian Colbert's PAC Released Iowa Ad - Image CNN



There has been a lot of hype surrounding the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry, and his pending entrance into the 2012 GOP Race, with several polls showing the Texas Governor to come in second to Mitt Romney, whose unsuccessful run in 2008, compelled him to seek the nomination a second time to the maxim: “If at First you don’t’ succeed, try, try again.”. From a Bay State perspective, Mitt Romney’s popularity among conservatives is mind-boggling, of course, they did not live in Massachusetts while he was Governor, therefore, they might want to ask the “man on the street” so to speak.

The poll that appears most conflicted in this projection is the Gallup Poll released August 9th, 2011, with Romney as Front Runner, and Perry coming in Second without having made a formal announcement. In viewing the poll graphic (Below) the projection was based on a combination of two factors; the favorability and unfavorabilty of the candidate minus name recognition. The Candidate who appears to have the highest name recognition, but does not perform overall in the poll is Sarah Palin, who also has not announced. The methodology and questions, however, available here from gallup.com in pdf apparently leave Palin off the main questions – included on question five (presumably after the demographic questions: From Gallup PDF: [RANDOM ORDER: Minnesota Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann; Businessman, Herman Cain; Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich; Former Utah governor, Jon Huntsman; Texas Congressman, Ron Paul; Former Minnesota governor, Tim Pawlenty; Texas governor, Rick Perry; Former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney; Former Pennsylvania senator, Rick Santorum].



poll restults graph from Gallup


Now Rick Perry, who is a third term Governor of the State of Texas (no mean feat),( and who was brought back from the precipice during the 2100 primary by one Sarah Palin, in his bid for a third term against Republican Establishment and Texas staple, Kay Bailey Hutchinson) is under attack – from the right and from the left, and these “attacks” can leave someone conflicted.

The left brings out the clowns:

First mediaite.com.

Certainly there are more examples, but these two take the proverbial cake.

From the right:

A brouhaha developed in Tennessee , when an endorsement from a State official of Perry drew fire, not necessarily for the content, but the fact brought forth in defense of Perry as he is a reformed Democrat, and in fact, had been the Texas Campaign Manager for Al Gore’s Presidential campaign. Again, Al Gore!!!

From Politico comes a piece by former Congressman Tom Tancredo (seriously, writing for Politico), who outs Perry as overly sympathetic to our neighbors from the South - The Title: “Rick Perry not true conservative” is vintage Tancredo – he makes Rick Perry sound like – Good Golly – Mike Huckabee (in part) for some of the stances Perry took regarding the Border and In-State Tuition for children of Illegal Immigrants.

Given the aforementioned, it is quite possible that Perry, according to Maddow, is the next Obama, (rather Perry is backed by crazy right-wing preachers rather than crazy old socialists and hippies). In addition, what one gets’ from Colbert’s ad is that Perry with an A, (ad running in Iowa), uses guns. (Obviously, this as is not to be taken seriously and is one of Colbert’s jokes (hopefully). As anyone knows, those Iowa Republican’s know every name there is both on and off the ballot, and no where on earth can one find that many political junkies in one geographical area.

The message sent by these two aforementioned clowns: Perry is a right wing, gun toting, evangelical nut who thinks he’s the second coming. Then from the right, Perry is “soft" on illegal immigrants and he is a “Former Gore Democrat!!”

If nothing else, Perry’s entrance into the race is at, the very least, entertaining, and with his Perry’s Gubernatorial “Savior” heading into Iowa with her Bus Tour this week, Perry’s purpose in the GOP Presidential fray may finally become clear. Perry is to Romney as Thompson was to Romney/Huckabee in 2008 – the question is; which candidate that has not yet announced will be able to capitalize at this late date? That will be left as an open-ended question for readers to ponder.

Of course, that blatantly hinted scenario would give Rachel Maddow hours of endless conspiracy theory speculation, while providing Tina Fey with employment for a few more years.