The Eyebrow (On the Media)

Recent emails released by Wikileaks revealed that Donna Brazile, Democratic political strategist-turned CNN contributor-turned DNC chairwoman, leaked debate questions to the Clinton campaign during the primaries. One such email is titled “One of the questions directed to HRC tomorrow is from a woman with a rash." CNN has announced Brazile's resignation, but outrage has nonetheless ensued over the collaboration between a member of the media and a political campaign. To this, Bob responds: this should not come as a surprise. How can media outlets purposely hire partisan consultants for their "insider" viewpoints and not imagine that they will act like insiders? Song: "The Liberty Bell (march)" by John Philip Sousa

"Who will Trump's VP pick be?" "Where does he stand on tax policy?" "Is he acting more presidential?" Bob says: "Who cares?!" By asking him about policy flip-flops and speculating about his VP pick, the press is normalizing an abnormal candidate. Instead, they must stay on the real story: his dangerous statements about women, Muslims, and immigrants.  Music:  "Il Casanova di Frederico Fellini" - Nino Rota  "Tomorrow Never Knows" - The Beatles 

Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo has been recaptured by the Mexican government after his second escape from prison. But while he was on the lam he made time for a clandestine meeting with Oscar-winning actor and activist Sean Penn in the Mexican jungle. Penn wrote about his experience meeting El Chapo in a sprawling, 10,000-word essay for Rolling Stone. And then the rest of the media wrote about that. Bob weighs in. Song: "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" by Sammy Hagar

The controversy over Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, has Republican candidates grappling with their views on the proper relationship between religion and the Supreme Court. Bob considers the responses of the GOP field.  SONG: "Dirty Money" - Antibalas SONG: "65 Bars and a Taste of Soul" - Charles Wright

The media has been fixating on Donald Trump's surprising "surge" in the polls. But the real story, according to Bob, is more predictable: the media's sloppy and disingenuous use of polls to fill air time and manufacture conflict. Update: Here's a clarification on how we characterized "margin of error" erroneously in this segment. 

This week the Pope released his historical encyclical on climate change, decrying humanity's abuse of the earth and calling for immediate action. Republican presidential candidates were rankled, arguing that His Holiness should refrain from weighing in on scientific matters, since he is not a scientist. Neither, they insist, are they. Bob raises an eyebrow at the perennial non-denial denial of climate change.  Song: Bob McRae, "Oklahoma"