While print media and cable news channels are all over the "sweetheart" mortgage deals given to two Democratic U.S. senators, network news shows on ABC, CBS and NBC are keeping mum even though the scandal involves one of their favorite targets: Countrywide.
"This is a huge story ever since Portfolio magazine broke with this story. Print media outlets have covered it, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, the cable networks are there," Business & Media Institute Vice President Dan Gainor told "Fox & Friends" June 20. "And then you look at the evening news shows: they're non-existent."
The financial magazine reported June 12 that Sens. Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Chris Dodd of Connecticut, both Democrats, benefited from a "V.I.P." program that "waived points, lender fees, and company borrowing rules for prominent people."
Gainor recalled a similar scandal in 2006 involving Democrats and virtually no network news coverage. "It was the media coverage of Fannie Mae, again print media coverage, very strong, Wall Street Journal particularly, then the cable networks covered it, networks didn't," he said. "It was well-connected Democrats. That's the similar theme here."
Gainor suggested networks didn't want to paint Democrats in a bad light out of fear it might tarnish the image of the Democratic presidential nominee. "This is the coronation parade for [Sen.] Barack Obama [D-Ill.] this year. I think the networks don't want to rain on his parade."
"It's amazing; the networks love beating up on Countrywide," Gainor said. "They beat on up them for bad mortgages. They beat up on them for pretty much debt issues, and even of course for the Ed McMahon foreclosure. And then you look, they beat up on Angelo Mozilo, the CEO, for how much he gets paid. But when it's connected to prominent Democrats you don't hear anything."



















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"And then you look at the
June 20, 2008 - 10:39 ET by forest"And then you look at the evening news shows: they're non-existent."
That pretty much sums it up for me.
If they don't report it
June 20, 2008 - 10:44 ET by JTPit did not happen.
We will not allow any bad news to pop the Obama bubble we have blown. No sharp objects allowed in the room please.
Cue the crickets.....
June 20, 2008 - 11:15 ET by DanimalCue the crickets.....
Who?
June 20, 2008 - 12:42 ET by HanoverfistChris Dodd who?
In the immortal words of Elmer Fudd
June 20, 2008 - 12:46 ET by Prester John"Shhhh, be vewy, vewy quiet........"
The Alphabet Poops
June 20, 2008 - 12:46 ET by Jack BauerThe Alphabet Poops (MSNABCBS) are waiting for a politico with an (R) after his name to be caught.
We all know that don't we?
Four legs good, two legs better....
June 20, 2008 - 12:55 ET by AgentAmericanThe left have clearly morphed into the Pigs from Animal Farm
Drill ANWAR
Weeks from now the media
June 20, 2008 - 18:37 ET by ironchefofmunchiesWeeks from now the media will report this issue is over and will insist that we all move on. Without realizing they never even stopped to look.
Oblivious. It's the only word to explain it, and it shows in the circulation numbers and ratings.