Quirky Candidates Seek Media Attention
Howard Kurtz, James Carville, and Harold Ford, Jr. weighed in on certain candidates' quirks and the propensity of the media to flock to them. "I can't get enough of Sarah Palin," Carville said. He later added that "if you're an unemployed anti-masturbation activist and you're running for the Senate, people are going to cover you."
Ragin’ Carville Blasts Obama
Is James Carville getting ready for the Democrats to lose 30, 40, or even 50 House seats this November? In the "2010: Midterm Rumble" panel, Carville said that if the Democrats lose the House, it's inevitable that the GOP will claim the Senate. Why is President Obama to blame? While he does make appearances on shows like 60 Minutes, The View, and The Daily Show, he's never had a clear narrative.
Leslie Sanchez on Candidates Getting “Palin-ized”
Female candidates, beware! Republican strategist Leslie Sanchez told her "Midterm Rumble" panel at The Daily Beast's Innovators Summit that many of the women she works with are afraid of getting “Palin-ized,” or getting caught in the "media lights" without knowing how to answer a question. Additionally, Sanchez said that Palin is an enormous boost to the GOP and has transcended the Republican brand. She’s now a celebrity.
The Root of America’s Anger: Racism or Unemployment?
President Obama’s ascension to the White House was one giant leap forward for race relations in America. But, as an audience member at the Innovators Summit asked, is the nation's current sour mood really a racist backlash? According to Harold Ford, Jr., James Carville, and George Stephanopoulos the answer is a resounding no. It’s not the color of Obama’s skin that’s irritated Americans. It’s the country’s unemployment rate.
Sleazy, Slimy Attack Ads
While negative campaign ads are nothing new to election season, The Daily Beast’s Howard Kurtz looks to the vicious attack ads to get an idea of which candidates are desperate to avoid discussing the real issues at hand. Read more about the desperate Dems attack.
James Carville is Pro-Innovation
Embracing the spirit of the Innovators Summit, James Carville declared himself pro-innovation. He elicited laughs from the ballroom after saying that no one has ever told him, “You know James, I’m sick of all this innovation.” This would explain why there’s no “anti-innovation caucus.” Sir Harold Evans, however, said that it’s not fair to just pass off this idea humorously. There are often real reasons for a lack of innovation.
Howard Kurtz Autopsies Obama-Press Relationship
Is President Obama’s honeymoon with the press officially over? The Daily Beast’s Howard Kurtz explained to George Stephanopoulos whose fault it is that coverage of Obama has come down from a “mountaintop” and assumed a more traditional and adversarial approach.