Anyone catch Chuck Todd on MTP today? He admitted press wants a horserace.

[journalist3072]

So earlier today, I was listening to C-span Radio's rebroadcast of Meet The Press, and heard a stunning admission from Chuck Todd. He basically admitted that the press wants a horserace. He says "I--we've all got what we want for Christmas. It's this race. Unbelievable."

Here's the transcript:

MR. HARWOOD: What you got for Christmas is Mike Huckabee and Barack Obama next Sunday. That's going to be a great show.

MR. TODD: I--we've all got what we want for Christmas. It's this race. Unbelievable.

MR. RUSSERT: Two races, two parties, two nominations and nobody knows who's going to win.

MR. HARWOOD: I sure don't. Maybe Chuck does.

MR. TODD: Six plausible presidents, six plausible presidents at this point.

MR. RUSSERT: Chuck Todd...

MR. TODD: It's unbelievable.

Even though I absolutely detest that the media is trying to make this a horserace, it was refreshing to have a moment of clarity from someone in the media, and have them admit what they are all about.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22342301/page/7/

[deminks]

1. I heard that, too, this morning.

Makes you wonder what meddling Timmy is up to again. They like to keep that close race myth again, and will somehow do it in the general election again as well.

[journalist3072]

2. Which means they will turn certain candidates (i.e. Senator Clinton)

into these caricatures...However disingenuous, they will try to define the candidates...Which means that the candidates will need to make sure they define themselves, before the media defines them.

I really find this practice disgusting. Whatever happened to just reporting the facts?

[countmyvote4real]

3. MSM wants political ad revenue. The best way to bid it up is with a horse race. n/t

[UTUSN]

4. I'm sorry, but is it "Chuck" or "DODD" or "TODD"?!1 n/t

[MonkeyFunk]

5. Chuck Todd

the political analyst.

And there should be no surprise over this "revelation". OF course political analysts want a race - it keeps them employed!

[stray cat]

6. Of course they do. Much like sports enthusiasts like a close game

[KharmaTrain]

7. This Is How Careers Are Built

Todd should know. He was a mail room copy boy for The Hill before the 2004 elections and was hired by NBC shortly thereafter for his "anal-isis". A horserace was sure good for his career.

Hell, this entire primary process is one step removed from an 8th Grade class president election. Endless debates that were manipulated by the networks so much that their bobble-heads talked as much, if not more, than the candidates. They're always looking for the "gotacha"...the soundbite or rumor rather than covering issues of substance...it's not sexy and requires a lot more work than printing inuendo and projected opinions.

I haven't bought into this crap...a major reason I've stayed uncomitted during the primaries. It's enabled me to have a more objective view of the candidates and the entire process...including the corporate media.