THE ELECTION OF ANCHORS
BY DAN MILLER
March 14, 2006
Are we all happy with our television news anchors?
Think about it..... we probably haven't had a national consensus on "America's Anchorman" since the days of Uncle Walter Cronkite.
A writer for the National Journal named William Powers has come up with an idea for determining who you get your evening news from.
Since it's so important that we like (and trust) the person who brings us both good and bad news.... and since it's regarded as such a powerful position (after all, Uncle Walter is credited with turning the tide on public opinion of the Vietnam war), Powers has suggested a national election to let Americans select the person we want to deliver their news.
It's a tongue-in-cheek suggestion, but -- ya know -- he makes some pretty good points.
Here's a link (where I hope it's still posted): > http://nationaljournal.com/powers.htm <
Go there when you finish here.
William Powers is writing about the national, network anchor -- not local -- but maybe Nashville should elect its own official News Anchor as well.
It would have to be a person we all feel comfortable listening to.
Someone we feel we know.
Someone we see a lot.
One person we could trust to bring us news clearly, accurately, balanced, unbiased.... with the right touch of authority and humanity.... and a gentle infusion of humor, wit, analysis and insight.
So I'm thinking perhaps the Watkins girl, or maybe Ming Wang.
Or, who knows -- Bruce Sprintz might throw his hat in the ring.... or Reed Trickett.
No doubt some local politicians wouldn't pass up the chance to run for News Anchor.
We know John Jay Hooker would run, for sure.
I'm just not sure John Jay could keep his personal opinions private when presenting the news.
What about Fred Thompson?.... oops, I mean Fred Dalton Thompson?
He's been on the inside of big happenings in this country for more than 35 years, and has dabbled in show biz enough that he could bring a little pizzazz to the broadcast.
No, wait.... Thelma Harper would be a great News Anchor candidate.
Think how much fun it would be to see what hat she would wear on the news desk every evening.
Or Lamar Alexander? He's gotta be getting tired of the commute to Washington.
Wouldn't it be comforting to get your news from someone in a red checked flannel shirt.
Or, what about Ned Ray McWherter? Talk about your grandfatherly, comforting "Cronkite-type figure".... he'd be perfect.
On the other hand, most voters might feel that a politician is exactly what we DON'T need as our official News Anchor for Nashville. Too much party loyalty, and unbending allegiance to most popular side of public issues.
Voters could write-in Jud Collins.
Jud was "Mr. Television" in town for more than 20 years.... and while I'm sure he would never volunteer to join the race for News Anchor, maybe everybody could just write-in his name.
Hey, everybody trusted Jud.
What about Teddy Bart, a TV and radio fixture here in Nashville for nearly 40 years?
Everybody knows Teddy. He can sing too.... that would be perfect when the news got dull.
And you know there'd be the usual suspects in the campaign..... Demetria Kalodimos, Bob Mueller, Chris Clark, Harry Chapman, Ann Holt, and ME!!!!
Of course, with a bitterly fought campaign, we'd each have to involve ourselves with fund-raising.
That means a lot of glad handing.... and attending chicken and peas luncheons with prospective voters.
Gosh, we might find ourselves beholden to big spenders, and feel pressure to present news favorable to their interests.
That might require slight alterations to our declarations of neutral, unbiased reporting so as to lasso the important contributers and votes.
We'd need the backing of big business and labor leaders...
We'd have to verbally attack the other News Anchor candidates, making it clear to the public why our opponents would never be quite as perfect as News Anchor.
We'd all be vulnerable to scandals, and bribes, and scrutiny, and federal probes, and..........
You know what?
The present system works just fine.
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