On Tuesday’s CBS Early Show, co-host Maggie Rodriguez introduced a segment on 2008 politics and declared: "The end of 2008 brings to a close one of the most exciting and historic years in national politics." At the top of the story, Mike Allen of the Politico explained what made the year so exciting: "2008 was the year that Barack Obama re-wrote the book on American politics."
The segment was comprised of various clips of campaign coverage, with the majority centered around Obama. In one clip, following an Obama primary victory, Early Show co-host Harry Smith exclaimed: "The polls may have predicted it. It was still no less a breath-taking win for Barack Obama."
The most time in the segment given to the McCain campaign focused on mocking Sarah Palin, including a clip of Katie Couric asking Palin what newspapers she read and Rodriguez declaring: "The McCain campaign under fire for spending $150,000 on clothes and accessories." A clip of Tina Fey impersonating Palin on Saturday Night Live was played, after which Allen remarked: "Never again will a presidential nominee pick a vice president who is identical to one of the greatest comedians in the country." Meanwhile, no clips of Joe Biden’s numerous gaffes were shown.
Allen concluded the segment by observing: "The most extraordinary poll came out recently that showed more than 80% of Americans approve of Obama's cabinet choices....It's already a revolutionary year and a revolutionary transition and it's not quite over." Scandals involving prominent Democrats John Edwards, Eliot Spitzer, and Rod Blagojevich were briefly mentioned at the end of the segment, but no party affiliation was given.
After the compilation of clips was played, fill-in co-host Chris Wragge mentioned: "What a year, and of course, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th president on January 20th, 2009." Rodriguez then added: "Can't wait...Can't wait for the inauguration, because after covering the election for so long I still have a bit of withdrawal from the political coverage."
Here is the full transcript of the segment:
8:00AM TEASE:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: The year in politics, we'll look back at one of the most exciting presidential election races in history.
BARACK OBAMA: At this defining moment, change has come to America.
8:01AM TEASE:
RODRIGUEZ: We're going to talk about the year in politics and what a year it was.
8:05AM TEASE:
RODRIGUEZ: Up next, from Sarah Palin to John Edwards to, of course, Barack Obama. A look back at the amazing year in politics here on The Early Show on CBS.
8:08AM SEGMENT:
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ: Just two days left in this year. The end of 2008 brings to a close one of the most exciting and historic years in national politics.
CHRIS WRAGGE: Here's a look back at some of the highs and the lows of this past year's race for the White House.
BARACK OBAMA: I owe a debt to all of those who came before me and that in no other country on earth is my story even possible.
MIKE ALLEN [POLITICO]: 2008 was the year that Barack Obama re-wrote the book on American politics.
UNIDENTIFIED ANNOUNCER: It's the Late Show with David Letterman!
JOHN MCCAIN: I am announcing that I will be a candidate for President of the United States.
DAVID LETTERMAN: Oh, boy.
HARRY SMITH: The polls may have predicted it. It was still no less a breath-taking win for Barack Obama.
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: Mac is back! Mac is back!
MCCAIN: Tonight, we sure showed them what a comeback looks like.
[SONG: IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN]
HILLARY CLINTON: I have so many opportunities for this country.
BILL CLINTON: This whole thing is the biggest fairy tale I've ever seen.
ALLEN: It was not always pleasant to watch the Clintons wrestle with being finally put to the side.
OBAMA: Thank you!
BOB SCHIEFFER: By the end of this week, Barack Obama will be over the top and will be able to claim victory.
UNIDENTIFIED SINGERS: Yes, we can. Yes, we can.
OBAMA: I will be the Democratic nominee.
[SONG: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW]
MCCAIN: Tonight, my friends, I will be the Republican nominee.
OBAMA: The next vice president, Joe Biden!
MCCAIN: Vice President of the United States, Sarah Palin.
[SONG: OH I'M JUST A GIRL, TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT ME]
SARAH PALIN: Nice to meet you. Can I call you Joe?
JOE BIDEN: You can call me Joe.
PALIN: Thanks.
KATIE COURIC: What newspapers and magazines did you regularly read?
PALIN: All of them.
RODRIGUEZ: The McCain campaign under fire for spending $150,000 on clothes and accessories.
PALIN: Those clothes, they are not my property.
TINA FEY [AS SARAH PALIN]: And now I'd like to entertain everybody with some fancy pageant walking.
ALLEN: Never again will a presidential nominee pick a vice president who is identical to one of the greatest comedians in the country. For the second half of 2008, the biggest issue by far was the downturn in the economy.
MCCAIN: The fundamentals of our economy are strong, but these are very, very difficult times.
GEORGE W. BUSH: All of us around the table take this issue very seriously.
SMITH: The debate is supposed to happen here tonight. The question, will John McCain show up?
OBAMA: Ten days ago, you said the fundamentals of the economy are sound.
MCCAIN: We're talking about Joe the plumber
OBAMA: Joe the plumber.
MCCAIN: Where is Joe? Is Joe here with us today?
OBAMA: In this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
ALLEN: The most extraordinary poll came out recently that showed more than 80% of Americans approve of Obama's cabinet choices.
RUSS MITCHELL: Edwards admitted today that he had an extramarital affair.
[SONG: BAD BOYS]
JOHN EDWARDS: I made a very serious mistake.
ELIOT SPITZER: I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my family.
ROD BLAGOJEVICH: I have done nothing wrong.
ALLEN: It's already a revolutionary year and a revolutionary transition and it's not quite over.
[SONG: DON'T STOP BELIEVING, HOLD ON TO THAT FEELING]
WRAGGE: What a year, and of course, Barack Obama will be inaugurated as the 44th president on January 20th, 2009.
RODRIGUEZ: Can't wait.
WRAGGE: Incredible year. You think about it, when we look back next year, will some of the same issues, politics aside, obviously, with the Obama presidency, is going to be a huge issue, but all of the talk of the economy right now, the housing slump, the auto industry, will those problems still exist? Or who knows?
RODRIGUEZ: They'll have to be tackled, for sure. Can't wait for the inauguration, because after covering the election for so long I still have a bit of withdrawal from the political coverage.
WRAGGE: 18 months and now it's all finally-
RODRIGUEZ: Absolutely.
WRAGGE: -closed down.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
I used to go to Politico,
December 30, 2008 - 12:26 ET by thebutlerdiditI used to go to Politico, but it has devolved into pure Obamafest, Palin bashing. I thought the original idea was it was from both sides, but you can't tell it now. As for the commenters, they are worse than the ones at Kos and HuffPo, most of the time. Add that to the fact they cannot write anything that is legible. It is ridiculous.
In their appearances on
December 30, 2008 - 13:01 ET by Chris NormanIn their appearances on television, the people from Politico try to act all neutral, but they definitely seem "neutralier" towards Democrats and Obama than Republicans, if you know what I mean...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Why in the hell do they
December 30, 2008 - 12:59 ET by Chris NormanWhy in the hell do they need any "retrospectives" on Obama and Palin - they haven't shut up about either one (bashing her and praising "Him") since the election. You'd swear the campaign was still going on...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
The campaign is still going
December 30, 2008 - 13:11 ET by thebutlerdiditThe campaign is still going on, but it is the one for 2012. They are going to continue to tell us rubes that Obama is great and Palin is an idiot for the next 4 years, just in case we didn't get their jist for the last year.
What crap!
December 30, 2008 - 14:53 ET by Indiana JoeThese people will be "celebrating" this for as long as possible. There is such a thing as "grace in victory," but they don't have a clue about that. Gloating and crowing is their style.
On a similar front, I received a card from my lawyer. He sends one out every year, usually a "holiday" card. But I can't classify this one as such. It says "Mission Accomplished" on the front (home-made, btw). Inside, it shows a broken ornament and says "The End of an Error." And lists the date "January 20, 2009." It ends with his and his wife's name.
No "Merry Christmas." No "Season's Greetings." No "Happy New Year." Just what I've listed. Just an excuse to crow about something that's now month-old news.
Perversely, this kind of thing only makes me hope that Obama does a major face-plant, just to shut these kinds of people up. That's not going to be good for any of us, I know.
But it's a hard impulse to resist.
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..." - The Who
I Joe
December 30, 2008 - 14:55 ET by BlondeI think I'd return that card to your lawyer....with a little note:
"I've retained new counsel".
Perversely, this kind of
December 30, 2008 - 15:37 ET by Dan The Man 2Perversely, this kind of thing only makes me hope that Obama does a major face-plant, just to shut these kinds of people up. That's not going to be good for any of us, I know.
Ohh he will, but will we hear about it or will it be reported that way. Obama will try to plant the blame on some poor schmoe who just happens by and the MSM will report it that way.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Joe, you definitely need a
December 30, 2008 - 15:38 ET by SmartypantsJoe, you definitely need a new lawyer. Anyone who places their politics first and foremost in a business relationship like that is an ass-clown.
Assclown--one of my favorite expressionst
December 30, 2008 - 17:53 ET by StarAZOur fam split down the middle. Sis and one bro went for Junior, the other brother and I said, whoa, who IS this guy? Since we still don't have an answer, we are still not for him. I got an email from this brother saying the other brother's Christmas letter was all about so-called witty things about Junior. That's Christmassy. My brother thinks he is being deemed eligible for "re-education" and I am not. Well, they have that straight anyhow!
Hi IJ... "The End of an
December 30, 2008 - 15:46 ET by bigtimerHi IJ...
"The End of an Error"...and the beginning of a "Colossal Calamity!"
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Tina Fey
December 30, 2008 - 18:25 ET by zoro7957..........................."one of the greatest comediennes in this country"? Wow, that's scary in and of itself.