The devil is in the captions: CNN graphics question absence of Dem Iraq plan, but not Bush's postponement

Written by Brian Levy

Published

A series of graphics used by CNN on December 14 illustrates the markedly different reception CNN gave to, on one hand, the Bush administration's decision to delay the release of a revised strategy for Iraq until the new year and, on the other, a press conference in which incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced the Democrats' agenda for the first 100 legislative hours in the new congressional session. Graphics appearing during CNN's reporting on President Bush's consideration -- and postponement -- of a revised strategy raised no questions about the delay. On the other hand, in coverage of the Democrats' legislative agenda for the “first 100 hours,” CNN repeatedly aired graphics questioning the absence in that agenda of a plan for Iraq -- even though the plan for the first 100 legislative hours has remained the same since late October.

As Media Matters for America noted, during a report on the December 13 broadcast of NBC's Today, National Review White House correspondent Byron York suggested that President Bush delayed his announcement of changes to the administration's Iraq war policy -- initially planned to be delivered before Christmas -- until January in part because of “public relations,” adding: "[T]he president wants to come out with something new, something fresh, and something that will help change the debate at the same time that the Democratic Congress is taking office and getting a lot of attention in Washington." By contrast, Roger Simon, chief political columnist for The Politico, a political news website to be launched in January 2007, commented on the possible political considerations behind the delay on the December 13 edition of MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, saying: “The trouble is, people are dying and maybe that would be a reason to speed things up a little.”

PELOSI & IRAQ

On the December 14 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, on-screen text teased the segment on Pelosi, asking “Where's Iraq?” Other on-screen text about Pelosi and Iraq read: “Pelosi's Agenda: What's Missing?” and “Pelosi Did Not Discuss Iraq in Outlining Agenda.”




On the December 14 edition of CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight, on-screen text read: “What Iraq Plan?” “Dems Made No Mention of the War in Iraq,” and “Dems Deeply Divided Over Their Iraq Policy.”




BUSH & IRAQ

On the December 14 edition of CNN's American Morning, on-screen text read: “New Iraq Strategy,” “Iraq War Plans,” “New Military Strategy?” and “War Plans.”




On the December 14 edition of CNN Newsroom, on-screen text read: “The Fight for Iraq,” “Pres. Bush Weighing Options for Iraq,” “Pres. Bush Met With Former and Current Cmdrs.,” and “Pres. Bush Vows No Pullout From Iraq Before Job Is Done.”





On Lou Dobbs Tonight, on-screen text read: “War Strategy” “WH [White House] Not Saying if Bush Wants Iraq Reinforcements,” “Iraq Study Group Suggested U.S. Pullback in Iraq,” “WH: Bush Listening to All Advice About the War,” “Bush Due to Announce New Strategy in the New Year,” and “Pres. Bush Considering Iraq Strategy Options.”