] Monday's address was not carried by the broadcast ] networks for the simple reason the White House did not ] request the time. If it had, the networks probably would ] have obliged. (Asking for network airtime is sort of like ] prom season, you don't really want to pop the question ] unless you're sure of the answer in advance.) But the ] nets wouldn't have been happy about making room for Bush, ] at least not the ad sales guys. Finishing up the crucial ] spring sweeps period when all-important advertising rates ] are set, the networks were likely in no mood for a ] 45-minute primetime preemption Monday night, and the ] White House certainly understood that, which may have ] been one reason they shied away. (Why antagonize the ] media during the middle of a downward polling trend?) The bit I caught, I listened to on NPR. Actually, I was glad I only caught the last 10 or less minutes, which gave me more of time to listen to the NPR commentary on my drive. |