First
in the Nation: The New Hampshire Debates (Republicans)
Wednesday Jan. 26, 2000 at WMUR-TV's studio in Manchester, NH. 7:00-8:30 p.m. (EST). |
Coverage
News organizations faced the challenge of reporting on two debates held the same evening. "Genteel veneer dissolves in testiest GOP debate yet" (USA Today) "Forbes Challenges Bush On His Record in Texas" (New York Times) "Chief GOP Rivals Battle On Tax Plans" (Washington Post)
USA Today--A
general summary article "Candidates get personal as N.H. nears" by USA
Today's Judy Keen and Richard Benedetto ran on page 1A. The article
on the Republican debate ran across the top third of page 9A and included
two photos. Written by USA Today's Judy Keen and Richard Benedetto,
the article carried the headline "Genteel veneer disolves in testiest GOP
debate yet." The two photos, both by Rick Wilking, Reuters, are a
medium shot of Bush and McCain after the debate and a wide shot showing
the five candidates at their podiums. Note that the article on the
Democratic debate ran immediately opposite on page 8A.
New York Times--The
Times
ran the article on the Democratic debate on the front page and put a teaser
for the Republican debate at the bottom of that article; "Attack on Two
Fronts" referred readers to page A18. Overall, the day's paper had
2 1/2 pages of campaign coverage; reporting on the Republican debate on
page A18 consists of the main article including a large photo and Excerpts.
The article is headlined "Forbes Challenges Bush On His Record in Texas"
and subheaded "McCain Also Attacks Rival at Final Debate." The photo
by Stephen Crowley/The New York Times shows Bush and McCain shaking hands
before the debate with Bauer in the foreground. Excerpts extends
over five columns.
Washington Post--Articles
on both the Democratic and Republican debates ran on the front page, in
the left column; the account of the Democratic debate was on top, and the
report of the Republican debate directly underneath. The article
on the Republican debate, by the Post's Dan Balz and Ceci Connally,
was headlined "Chief GOP Rivals Battle On Tax Plans" with the subhead "McCain
and Bush Trade Charges in Lively Forum." The article continued on
page A8 where it ran in two columns extending from the top to the bottom
of the page, including a photo at the top. The photo, Pool Photo
via Associated Press, showed Bauer, McCain and Bush. The article
(continuation) headline read "Bush, McCain Trade Charges in N.H. Forum."
Also note that on page A6, where the report on the Democratic debate ran,
there was a piece by the Post's David Von Drehle which provided
a big picture, contextual look at the two debates "Bank Shots and Bare
Fists."
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Copyright 1999, 2000
Eric M. Appleman/Democracy in Action.