A Dem Bias on the Morning Shows

The Media Research Center is complaining about the distribution of political coverage on the network morning shows:

NEW YORK — A conservative media watchdog organization charged Wednesday that the network morning news shows have spent considerably more time this year on Democrats running for president than on Republicans.

Network news executives rejected any suggestion of bias, and said they have a considerably harder time getting Republican candidates to appear on their shows.

Through July 31, the ABC, CBS and NBC morning news shows devoted 284 campaign segments to Democratic candidates and 152 to Republicans, according to the Media Research Center. Another 81 stories discussed both parties or a possible independent run by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"The double standard has got to stop," said L. Brent Bozell, the group's founder. "What you hope is that there would be fairness. If you are going to give that much coverage to the Democrats, give it to the Republicans, too."

There may well be a good reason that Republicans are reluctant to appear on the morning shows. When a Democrat like Clinton or Obama appear they are treated with great reverence and awe, while Republicans tend to get grilled as though they are defying the gods themselves with their campaigns. Network execs clearly favor Dem candidates and aren't really interested in talking to Republicans unless they think they can make them look bad.

The MRC report won't change anything. The networks will still show favoritism to the Dems and the GOP will still be hesitant to submit themselves to an inquisition.