Programming Note.
The Discovery Times channel will be re-airing the two-hour documentary "Making the Message; Battle for the Presidency" several times on both Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th.
Caveat: Some airings are the full two-hour film, some appear to be hour segments (Parts I and II).
A taste below.
Though the documentary suffers a little from "yesterday's news" syndrome, there's a lot that's interesting. We watch political, creative and tech elements crafted and integrated to sell "the message" (including the hideous Fred Thompson-narrated "President Bush took the mound" video).
Platform battles are touched on...notably that of the "Republican Majority for Choice," whose co-chair briefly considers a floor protest against the GOP's strong anti-abortion platform language before deciding, "Republicans don't protest." Interesting fact: 73% of registered Republicans are pro-choice.
We hear Rove tell followers that it'll be a close race and that it's essential they enlist friends, family and neighbors "in this crusade."
They go inside both parties' Rapid Response war rooms and witness the Dem's victory in supplying Blitzer and Matthews with the ammo they need to shoot Zell down on Kerry's "anti-military" Senate votes.
The Dem's 9/11 tribute is contrasted (nicely, I think) with the Rep's four-night exploitation of the attacks.
Lots of comments from journalists...Dowd, Nagourney, Apple.
Not terribly newsworthy but definitely worthwhile viewing.