I've been combing the big three cable news outlets (CNN, Fox and MSNBC) and surprise! -- only on Fox have I yet heard any criticism of local and state officials voiced/questioned. This isn't to say there haven't been any on the other two, but I haven't seen any.
On the contrary, on CNN especially, the anchors and reporters seem to be going out of their way to either bash Bush or egg others on to do so. Around 3pm EST, CNN's Christiane Amanpour actually said "... the local and state authorities did all they could ..." while adding that the rest of the world is essentially laughing at us. Later, another CNN reporter offered an op-ed on how Bush is in "image control." Yet another brought up the parish leader who broke down on "Meet the Press" yesterday. Meanwhile, MSNBC highlighted a Mississippi paper editorial that blasted the president, reading it word for word. Wolf Blitzer's CNN "The Situation Room" could be named "The War Room" at this rate.
Elsewhere, CBS's "Sunday Morning" gave space to a pundit who could've been Kanye West's mom based on her comments.
Here's a pretty balanced article by Chris Roach of the whole situation so far (via Michelle Malkin).
UPDATE: The Panel on Fox's "Special Report" is discussing what the mayor and governor could have/should have done.
UPDATE 2: Ye Gods. A reporter actually asked Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush if the levees in N.O. were intentionally opened up.
Posted by Felix at September 5, 2005 06:51 PM | TrackBack