Inside the Beltway: ‘Big Three’ broadcast networks ignore midterm elections

NEWS AND OPINION:

The ever watchful analysts at the Media Research Center have caught the “Big Three” broadcast networks — ABC, NBC and CBS — playing some serious hooky. Now that Democrats are struggling to gain a foothold in the upcoming midterm elections, the network don’t seem to be much interested in covering the horse race. That was not the story during another midterm season when the Republicans were suffering in the opinion polls and political forecasts. Yes, there are numbers.

The analysts found that on the major evening newscasts from September 1 through October 20 in 2006, the three networks aired 159 campaign stories.

“But during the same time period this year, those same newscasts have offered a paltry 25 stories, a six-to-one disparity,” say Kyle Drennan and Rich Noyes, who did the counting, and deem the phenomenon a genuine “blackout” on the news.

They also puzzle over ABC’s “World News Tonight” in particular, which has yet to feature even a single mention of this year’s campaign. Eight years ago, the program had eagerly aired 36 stories.

A ROUND WITH THE PRESIDENTS

It is somewhat telling that the author of a book about White House cocktails, spirits, wine and ale would be feted at the fiscally-minded Competitive Enterprise Institute. But that is the case on Thursday in the nation’s capital; author Mark Will-Weber will introduce his new book “Mint Juleps with Teddy Roosevelt: The Complete History of Presidential Drinking” at a site a few blocks from the White House itself. There’s the he-man cachet of Roosevelt to consider, along with the fact that the book chronicles founding fathers and their distilleries, fine vintages or lack thereof.

“As America transformed from fledgling nation to world power, one element remained constant: alcohol. The eighteenth century saw George Washington, father of his country, distilling whiskey in his backyard,” recalls Mr. Will-Weber. “Fast forward to the twentieth century and acquaint yourself with Woodrow Wilson’s namesake whisky, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s affinity for rum swizzles, and Dwight Eisenhower’s bathtub gin.”

The event will likely be wall-to-wall with journalists. Well, naturally. An open bar is featured. Meanwhile, the book also reveals what the first ladies fancied, the preferred stemware among presidents, who was a teetotaler, who was a genial host. Recipes include the Bermuda Rum Swizzle, Missouri Mule, and yes, President Obama’s White House Honey Ale. The book was published Monday by Regnery Books and has now bubbled up to the No. 5 position on Amazon’s list of most popular cookbooks.

A GEORGE WASHINGTON BRANDY

Yes, there is definitely a link ’twixt president and spirits. On sale Friday at George Washington’s Mount Vernon, it’s — of course — George Washington’s Apple Brandy, an assertive libation double-distilled in copper pots heated over wood fires then aged in “toasted” barrels for two years. The meticulous craft distillers behind it all used the same varieties of apples that George once favored: Hewes Crab, Roxbury Russet, and Newtown Pippin. So huzzah.

It’s the first apple brandy made at the historic site in two centuries, and was once said, it is “dear”, priced at $150 for a 375 ml bottle. But hey, such things sell so quickly that vouchers are needed from the estate’s gift shop; the rarefied portions often become collectibles. Another bottle of Mount Vernon’s limited edition rye whiskey once signed by former president George H.W. Bush, fetched $35,000 at auction. More at this often entertaining site: Mountvernon.org

WHERE ARE THE 2016 HOPEFULS?

The answer: They seem to be everywhere in the next 72 hours.

Among the potential White House hopefuls, Jeb Bush will be in South Carolina and Florida to boost the campaigns of Govs. Nikki Haley and Rick Scott, respectively. Sen. Marco Rubio will be in New Hampshire and Florida on behalf of Scott Brown, and Mr. Scott as well. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence also heads to New Hampshire to benefit congressional hopeful Marlinda Garcia. Texas Gov. Rick Perry journeys to Iowa for a rally and cookout for Joni Ernst, where the entertainment includes a performance by country music chanteuse Ayla Brown — daughter of the aforementioned Scott Brown. Then Mr. Perry races to North Carolina to help out Thom Tillis. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie goes to Des Moines to help Iowa Gov. Terry Brandstad celebrate his 68th birthday.

On the Democratic side of things, Hillary Clinton will be in Minnesota on behalf of Gov. Mark Dayton, while potential “First Gentleman” Bill Clinton heads to New Jersey to boost Bonnie Watson Coleman, a congressional hopeful.

WHERE’S THE ’RESOLVE’?

Americans have developed their own perceptions about “Operation Inherent Resolve,” the new name for the ongoing and evolving campaign against the Islamic State. And it looks like the public could be seeking some “resolve” at this point. About six-out-of-10 Americans support the effort, though only a third say things are going well — this according to a Pew Research Center survey released Wednesday.

Two thirds, however, have gotten the idea that focus is lacking. “Moreover, majorities across the board — 70 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of independents and 54 percent of Democrats — think the United States and its allies lack a clear goal in taking military action against Islamic militants in Iraq and Syria,” the survey says. In addition, almost three fourths of the respondents say those allies are “not doing enough,” and just over half continue to oppose sending ground troops.

So do we need a Resolve Czar now? No. But defining that “clear goal” in a way that resonates with grass roots folk would be ideal, particularly since the enemy appears to have a well-organized PR campaign of its own.

BOLTON FAITHFUL TO HIS CANDIDATES

Less than two weeks before the midterm elections, John Bolton remains a stalwart support to national security candidates who stand for strong defense and a sturdy U.S. presence on the global stage. Dozens of hopefuls fall into an emerging breed of politicians who could reassure voters alarmed over current events.

To date, the former U.N. ambassador has endorsed 86 Republican candidates and donated $465,000 to their causes through a pair of very active political action committees. Eleven House hopefuls got some cash and a pat on the back this week from Mr. Bolton, including Reps. Mike McCaul of Texas, Rick Allen of Georgia and Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa.

“The United States stands at the forefront of managing some of the most dire and challenging threats to global stability and liberty. The American people need well informed decision makers in Congress who will work tirelessly to defend our core strategic interests abroad,” Mr. Bolton observes.

POLL DU JOUR

• 95 percent of Americans plan to vote in the midterms, either by absentee vote, mail or in-person.

• 86 percent of Americans disapprove of the job Congress is doing.

• 65 percent say the Republican Party will retain control of the U.S. House.

• 50 percent say the Democrats will retain the U.S. Senate; 49 percent say Republicans will gain control.

• 28 percent say they will vote for the “Republican candidate” in the district this year.

• 25 percent will vote for the Democratic candidate in their district.

Source: An AP/GFK poll of 1,608 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 16-20

• Amusing repartee, querulous complaints to jharper @washingtontimes.com.