Election Watch: In the CNN Newsroom
When I arrived in the lobby of CNN, I was mistaken for a guest on Nancy Grace, a deviant psychiatrist or some such. "We're the only show in the building not doing election stuff," says a production assistant proudly. Topic: Baby killed by a pit bull.
CNN U.S. President Jon Klein is excited. "This is like Super Bowl Sunday, but we're all here waiting 12 hours for the game to start."
Newsroom startlingly quiet. There's a energy, but at a low buzz, despite the location of the set at one end of the open newsroom, packed with a dozen anchors, analysts, and assorted commentators (Anderson Cooper! Paul Begala!) People are walking around, as intent on staying out of camera range as they are intent to hurry to their destinations. Occasionally a buzzer sounds to announce to staffers that the data desk is calling a race. Bleep! CNN is calling the hotly contested New Jersey Senate race for Bob Menendez! Bleep. That goes on the air a few minutes later.
Klein's proud of the set design. "We wanted to give it the feel of what it's like to be in the newsroom."
The chaos is in the control room. Normally spacious, there's too many visitors and lots of noise. Producer for the night is David Boorman is calmly issuing directions to anchors on the set, while other producers work with the decision desk to decide what race to discuss next.
Then–calm is lost momentarily as CNN makes a BIG call Joe Lieberman wins in Connecticut. "Go go go!" a producer shouts trying to get on-screen graphics cropped properly.
But, even the hardest bitten news junkies are jealous of my next destination: The set of of The Daily Show's live show at 11pm. "Can I go?" Klein asks me. "You stay here."
By John Higgins
Angela Savage Austin commented:
What Makes Cents...
I would like to suggest to you what I believe would help all who are being laid off.
Instead of laying off an employee, why not give them (the employee) the option to continue to work at the unemployment rate of pay...still keeping their health insurance...still being productive and even cross-training to do other jobs necessary for the growth of the Company, until things improve and they will be the first rehired....possibly with a bonus. I know when I was no longer working, I just became depressed...because I had to work , I needed to work. Today I still have not found another job and I receive unemployment. I rather be working, I rather be productive. I feel that we can better serve ourselves, both employers and employees with this type of an option. Production will not fail, companies will not go under, people will not feel disregarded or powerless, and we the employee will still be active, productive and appreciated. I really want you to hear this idea and see if something like this will help everyone concerned. If not please tell me why.
Sincerely,
Angela Savage Austin
Deborah Miller commented:
In regard to the 7 Billion dollars, GM should get some of the funds, And other companies who really need funds too. I also think the homeless should get subsidized housing, other not so fortunate people who are struggling financially should get checks to allow them to take one step forward. This 7 Billion dollars should be shared throughout the U.S. where its needed the most. It should not be just for Wall Street.
Deborah
leo commented:
After reading the platform of the AIP, I can not understand why MISS GOODIE TWO SHOE,S ( Sarah Palin ) , WANTS TO BE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Send her back too alaska, where she belongs.
RealityCheck commented:
Can Klein say anything without a lame analogy to sport or the circus?
"This is like Super Bowl Sunday, but we're all here waiting 12 hours for the game to start." - funny thing I've been waiting 2 years for his brain to start and his mouth to stop.