Wholesome political porn

James Fallows thoughtfully praises Norah O'Donnell's unGregory-like grilling of Paul Ryan yesterday on "Face the Nation":

It is hard for political journalists to know enough about the substance of obscure budget votes to go up against a famed "numbers wonk" from the Budget Committee; harder still for journalists to be sure enough of their knowledge, in the real-time pressure of live TV, to say "no, that's not right" to a national figure; and perhaps hardest of all for a mainstream network correspondent to take on the responsibility of saying, "This does not seem true," rather than just finding some credentialed "critic" to quote to that effect.

Fallows includes a video of Paul's spanking by O'Donnell (now there's an image for the pornographic Internets) and it's a must-watch; it's a vital, two-minute elixir for what ails network journalism.

But, if I may ... you just knew there was a "but." Perhaps it is "hard for political journalists to know enough about the substance of obscure budget votes to go up against a famed 'numbers wonk.' " That hard part of the job is, however--or at least it should be--merely indispensable homework. From time to time my middle-school daughter finds her algebra assignment "hard." Nevertheless she does it--and she doesn't do it to national acclaim and for a million bucks (or whatever) a year. It's her job to do it, she's expected to do it, and that's all there is to it. 

The professionalism of network journalism has deteriorated so pathetically, though, we now find ourselves yelling "Great job!" to an immensely financially rewarded journalist whenever that journalist actually does what a journalist is supposed to do.

I'm with Mitt on this one: That's "disconcerting."

Just as disconcerting is some of the wretchedly bad educational preparation which too many network journalists take with them into their jobs. I'm thinking of that time I heard CNN's Anderson Cooper (I forget the circumstances) get tossed the question, "Who wrote the Federalist Papers"? Cooper--a highly paid political journalist--was completely stumped. Here's a founding document that unravels and analyzes the intricacies of our entire system of divided government--hence our divided politics today--and yet for Mr. Cooper, political journalist at large, it might just as well have been a cake recipe. "Thomas Jefferson?" he finally guessed, or rather, he ashamedly guessed--I'll give him that much.  

How much does Mr. Cooper earn as a professional, network political journalist?

I don't know. But I know it's a lot more than my daughter earns.

Comments

[japa21]

Yes, O'Donell's work was actually the old "the exception proves the rule" type of action. The mere fact that she has to be singled out and applauded shows how bad 'joutnalism" has gotten in this country.
This reminds me of the frequently heard saying in the sport's world "It is hard to be up for every game>" This is, of course, patently ridiculous. These are athletes paid millions of dollars and if they have a bad game, this old chestnut is trotted out as an excuse.
I am sure that if a neurosurgeon botched a surgery, it would be acceptable to say, "well, it is hard to be up for every surgery." But then again, maybe not.

[Peter G]

You expect much from an avocation whose principal draw is to people whose best subject in high school was Typing. That's why it is always a shock when a polymath like Ezra Klein comes along.

[RR]

Amen, brother Carpenter -- in many professions, the prep *is* the hard work -- e.g., lawyers better quickly learn the intricacies of whatever intricate, complex, detailed, and/or obscure topic they're litigating so they can examine and cross-examine skillfully, or be liable for malpractice. Come to think of it, I'm now in favor of a case for journalistic malpractice based on complete lack of preparation (we'll figure out who has standing to sue on these new grounds later!). ;-)