One goal of our internet forum is to provide you with a sampling of how
the local and regional news organizations cover the primary. Up to
this point we have focussed on newspaper coverage, another source of
information about the candidates and the campaign is WMUR TV. WMUR,
along with New Hampshire Public Television, are the only New Hampshire
based stations available without cable. NH Public TV does not have a
daily news program. WMUR is a significant source for New Hampshire
based TV news for the residents of New Hampshire.
What follows below is an example of a news feature from the political
reporter for WMUR. The script was submitted to us by the reporter, Carl
Cameron. It is from a feature entitled "Window on `96." The script is
posted to you as we received it, except for editing that makes it easier
to read, slight word changes that reflect the feature as broadcast,
and brief descriptions of the accompanying video. We used the actual
broadcast video of the piece for reference.
Mark Kuhn
Moderator, NH-Primary
_______________________
WMUR-TV SPECIAL REPORT SCRIPT, 5/15/95, CARL CAMERON
[video: Lamar Alexander cutting ribbon to open campaign headquarters,
shots of Lugar and Buchanan headquarters]
Campaign HQ's have started opening up across New Hampshire.
And with 39 wks left alot's changed since 92 when the Clinton camp bashed
George Bush for missing the issue described then as "the economy stupid"
[video: Primary night Bill Clinton speech]
"I think tonight it's fair to say that NH has
made Bill Clinton the comeback kid"
[video: 1992 Republican convention audience, R.Reed Time magazine cover,
and abortion protesters]
And now NH's economy has comeback, so Republicans may look to the social
agenda for issues. And since NH may choose who'll shape the GOP
agenda nationally. Enter Ralph Reed of the Religious Right! [Merrill's
voiceover]
"All perspectives all points of view from Jesse Jackson to Dr Ralph Reed."
The right is aggressively pushing social conservatism as symbolized by the
abortion debate!
[video: still head pictures of Keyes, Dornan and Buchanan arrayed on
right of screen]
On the right: Alan Keyes, Bob Dornan & Pat Buchanan, staunchly pro-life &
pledged to end legal abortion.
[video: added to above video, Dole, Gramm, Lugar, and Alexander arrayed
center screen]
In the middle, Senators Bob Dole, Phil Gramm, Dick Lugar & Tenn Gov Lamar
Alexander - all pro-life - but no plans to outlaw abortion.
[video: added to above video, Specter and Wilson arrayed left screen]
And finally Sen Arlen Specter and Gov Pete Wilson ardently prochoice.
[video: Joe Elcock of state Dem. party videotaping]
And as the campaign heats up, where are the democrats? Well, watching, Joe
Elcock dogs the campaigns relentlessly videotaping everything. Gramm's
occasionally lost his cool.
[video: Sen. Gramm looking into the lense of videocam in a Democratic
party video]
"We're gonna kick your fanny"
Specter's been stung starting over a speech for better media coverage
[video of Sen Specter from a Democratic party video]
"The Clinton health care...Oh channel 9 just walked in, it's
Carl Cameron do you all mind if I start this again"
[video: Disruption of Buchanan speech]
when protesters disrupted Buchanan's announcement the Dem Cam rolled on
campaign staff just after they allegedly assaulted the demonstrators
[video: excerpt from Democratic party video of altercation with protesters]
"Look what they're doing, kicking us! Is this what America's about
is this what Buchanan's about"
[video: Sen. Dole making NH announcment speech, Sen Gramm delivering
a speech, Gov. Alexander disembarking from plane Gov. Wilson delivering a
speech, Sen. Lugar making a speech, Sen. Specter delivering speech, P.
Buchanan delivering a speech, Rep. Dornan interview, A. Keyes at table with
Gov. Merrill, and all of the above candidates in group shot]
Early GOP polls give senate majority leader Bob Dole a big lead in his 3rd
presidential bid. Best funded, running 2nd's Phil Gramm, hurt by suspicion
he may not support NH's leadoff primary. Back in the pack are Lamar Alexander
likly up against Pete Wilson for the Washington outsider role, Indiana's Dick
Lugar focused on foreign affairs & a national sales tax, Arlen Specter's
pushing a flat tax and the war on crime, while Pat Buchanan who hopes his
stunning 37% in 92 bolsters him in this year. Arch conservative Bob Dornan
shares many views with Alan Keyes, including the knowledge of their mutual
long shot status.
[video: Gov. Merrill speaking to interviewer]
"One of the reasons that New Hampshire is such a good forecasting state
is that things change over night. And those candidates that are now in
preeminence need to remember that they need to reinforce their message.
And that New Hampshire has always given individual candidates an
opportunity to succeed here and it wouldn't surprise me if that happened
again."
[video: Carl Cameron speaking to camera]
Finally so many states have crowded into the first 7 weeks right
after NH that 70% of the process will be over and the nomination virtually
clinched in an unprecedented 2 short months.
It makes New Hampshire the equivalent of the all important fast start
out of the blocks for a sprinter. The biggest
political sling shot it's ever been. In Concord Carl Cameron WMUR's news9.
****************************