The mainstream media accused Gore of playing political games. Of course, they were shocked. Our economy is driven by people who believe fervently in TV-spot power, who spend billions on it each year. But Gore is right on the money, whatever his motives. But you and I can imagine this nirvana.
Exit polls make the same point.
Because it's linked to the robust larger myth of TV power itself. For decades, the media prophets have bombarded us with claims of their omnipotence. For decades, we were told that a minute on network TV news meant more than handshaking, speeches, issue papers. In the process they degraded the political competition between our two great parties - and left us alienated and disgusted. In fact, the political commercial's only real power has been negative.