I got a reply from CNN, and would love a little research help

[Sparkly]

I sent a letter to lots of people at CNN (and elsewhere) expressing outrage at CNN's coverage of the DNC convention, particularly its line-up of Republicans (John O'Neill and Bob Dole providing character analysis of Kerry in "Born to Run" Sunday right before the convention; people like Brent Bozell and Laura Ingraham and Zell Miller speaking unrefuted about the convention). I offered a list of liberals for them to invite to provide character analysis of Bush in their biography of him, and to comment after each important speech and event of the convention. (I posted a draft here a few days ago, and thanks to those of you who helped with names and other edits!)

The reply said they'd be inviting many of the people on my list (!) but that they'd probably not be unrebutted, because they had someone from the other side for "balance" in most of the interviews with Republicans.

I'm pretty sure Brent Bozell, Laura Ingraham and Zell Miller were not rebutted. Perhaps they consider a subsequent interview a "rebuttal," but it's not (CNN's anchors are expert at providing the RNC response for their interviews with Democrats, but let every smear, innuendo and outright lie of Republicans stand)!

It's hard to wade through the transcripts, but if you recall a day and time or show name (or better yet, if you could dig it up and link to the transcript) where the conservative critic was not rebutted, please post it here.

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/

(Also, does anybody have an email for Air America? All three addresses where I sent my letter bounced back!)

Thanks! :)

[Poiuyt]

1. Ralph Reed after John Edwards speech?

I can't remember if it was totally unrebutted, but it sure seemed like Ralph Reed was talking for about 10 minutes after John Edwards speech with only softball questions being lobbed at him.

I thinks it's good that they wrote back to you. At least we know that our letters are getting read.

[Sparkly]

2. That's right, how could I forget?!

I'm looking at Monday's transcript page right now -- didn't they go to Zell after Clinton? I don't see that on the transcript...

Last I checked, the "Born to Run" transcript was incomplete, as well. What's up with that?

I'll look for Reed after Edwards. And yes, I was surprised to get this reply.

[Sparkly]

5. Found that one

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0407/28/asb.01.html

I guess they wanted a "rebuttal" from Victoria Clark -- another Bushie -- but had technical difficulties!

This is definitely a prime example.

[KharmaTrain]

3. McAuliffe Immediately After Bunnypants Attempts To Verbalize

CNN had Ed Gillespie on the air within minutes of Kerry's acceptance speech with a quick hit...unrebutted. The least you could do is mention that one.

I'm very glad you got a letter...that's a very big door you've opened and I hope you can continue to dialogue (please don't share that contact with anyone here for now...maybe some sugar here could get in the right place).

Congrats!

[LTR]

4. Check MediaMatters

http://www.mediamatters.org

They've been keeping track of a lot of the media coverage last week.

[Armstead]

6. They had a "terrorism expert" from the right wing

This was either today or yesterday, but on Lou Dobbs show they had some guy from the Heritage Foundation saying the "terror alert" was totally legitimate and basically spinning a conservative line about how well we are doing in the war on terror.

There was no mention that he is from a conservative foundation that strongly supports Bush. Nor was there any counterpoint from anyone who is critical of the Bush WOT. He was simply billed as a "terrorism expert."