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The Control Room : How Television Calls the Shots in
Presidential Elections
by Martin Plissner
List Price: $13.00
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Paperback - 256 pages (May 2000)
Touchstone Books; ISBN: 0684867729 ; Dimensions (in inches): 0.64 x 8.46 x
5.55
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Having worked at CBS News for three decades, most recently as executive
political director, Martin Plissner has witnessed the behind-the-scenes
decisions that determine how the networks cover presidential campaigns. In
The Control Room, he suggests that presidential campaigns have, in response
to that coverage, become one big staged (or, rather, televised) event in
which candidates spend their days flying from place to place shaking hands,
attending festivals, and giving speeches--all in the hope that it'll generate
a broadcast-worthy image or sound bite.
Having so much control over what most Americans learn about presidential
candidates makes TV powerful indeed, but Plissner dismisses the notion that
producers and executives have a political agenda: "Their goals are for the
most part the largest possible viewership at the lowest possible cost and the
gratification that comes from scoring any kind of competitive edge over their
television rivals." Exactly right--and increasingly corrosive to the
political process. In 1952, when the first political convention was televised
nationwide, the party's nominees were still chosen at the conventions; the
1976 conventions were the last at which there was even a hint of mystery over
who the nominees would be. With the final selections now obvious months in
advance, conventions have lost their news value and become political
extravaganza shows. But in trying to tightly script their conventions for the
television audience, political operatives have outsmarted themselves: the
conventions have become so canned, so staged, and so devoid of
any spontaneity that in 2000 it's possible the only live coverage will be of
the nominees' acceptance speeches. According to Plissner, that might not be su
ch a bad idea. --Linda Killian --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Business Week, Marilyn Harris Plissner, whose métier was research, does a
good job of investigating his subject--and includes interviews with many of
the players, both media and political campaign chiefs.... Unfortunately,
Plissner's knowledge outstrips his ability to tell a good story. --This text
refers to the Hardcover edition.
Interesting commentary of current
political campaigning, November 19, 2000
Reviewer: Tracy (see more about me) from Austin,
Texas USA
Very adept account of how the medium of television can alter (and, sometimes
even shape and define) the directions into which the various political
candidates run their individual campaigns. Very interesting read. Very astute
rundown of the intracasies, regarding the very unique partnership--between
the individual campaigns and television--which has become the modern-day, run
for the presidency (in America). --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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