As it turned out, the CNN “program” on negative political ads (see below) was merely a segment on Crossfire. Too bad. While I was skeptical that CNN would offer a critical/intellectual look at campaign advertising, it’s for sure Crossfire cannot do so. And that’s exactly what happened. Its treatment of political advertising met the show’s “high” standards, which began with Robert Novak’s over-dramatic introduction of “smash-mouth politics.” The ads were merely show pieces to introduce the usual poltroonish bickering that Crossfire passes off as debate.
The Rhetorica Network
I offer commentary on the rhetoric of the American conversation, especially as it unfolds in documentary film, the news media, and politics. Check out my feeds on Twitter and Instagram. Also be sure to see my work at Carbon Trace Productions, a non-profit documentary film studio in Springfield, Missouri. I am a Professor of Media & Journalism at Missouri State University. I teach classes in mobile journalism and documentary filmmaking.
Archives (incomplete)
Carbon Trace Productions
Meta