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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Chip Neal. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Pre: Russell #1 Return to index of stories... |
We'll explore the funny side of politics with satirist Mark Russell. |
| Pre: Ads #2 Return to index of stories... |
Plus. There's Dean, Kerry, Clark - and even Kucinich - their political ads are everywhere. We'll look at the message the candidates are hoping to convey. |
| Pre: MLK #3 Return to index of stories... |
And later. A message of hope - Along the roads of Martin Luther King. |
| Intro Political Ads Return to index of stories... |
But first. With all eyes on Iowa the campaign trail was a pretty lonely one here in New Hampshire Monday. All but two of the Democratic presidential candidates spent the day in the Hawkeye state in preparation for the caususes. Although many of the candidates may not be here in the granite state you certainly wouldn't know it by turning on your television. Joining us to talk about some of the ads we're seeing - Mark Wrighton a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire. Thanks for being here. Before we get to the ads. Let's set the stage for what is happening next. No matter what happens in the Iowa caucases, on tuesday morning all of the major candidates will hit the ground running here in New Hampshire. Mark what should we expect? Dean's wife joined him on the campaign trail this weekend. This is the first time she's campaigned since his announcement. Edwards is the "good guy". He's taking the attitude that he is not going to take swipes at other candidates. He doesn't want to campaign in a negative way. Factcheck.org a good resource to check the facts in these political ads. Endorsements: Michael Moore endorses Clark Eagle Tribune endorses Lieberman Concord Monitor endorses Kerry Nashua Telegraph endorses Kerry Keene Sentinel endorses Dean |
| Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Mark Wrighton - THE CANDIDATES WILL WASTE NO TIME. I UNDERSTAND THAT SEVERAL OF THEM ARE GOING TO BE FLYING BACK FOR LATE NIGHT RALLIES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND THEY'RE GOING TO TRY AND MAXIMIZE THEIR TIME ON THE GROUND BETWEEN NOW AND JANUARY 27 BECAUSE THEY NEED TO GET HERE AND TALK TO AS MANY VOTERS AS THEY CAN IN THAT TIME IN ORDER TO CONVINCE THEM TO COME OVER TO THEIR CAMP AND VOTE FOR THEM TO JANUARY 27. CHIP NEAL - YOU THINK THERE WILL BE A WHOLE NEW CROP OF TELEVISION ADS? Mark Wrighton - CERTAINLY ALL DIFFERENT TACTICS ARE GOING TO BE USED IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND THAT INCLUDES TELEVISION ADS AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME NEW ADS PARTICULARLY WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME ADS FOCUSING I THINK ON WESLEY CLARK AND FROM GOVERNOR DEAN AS WELL BECAUSE UP TO THIS POINT WESLEY CLARK IS PRETTY MUCH HAS HAD A FREE PASS HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHILE THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN WORKING IOWA. THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE. CHIP NEAL - LET'S LOOK AT SOME OF THE ADS THAT ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING. THIS IS A HOWARD DEAN AD. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. Howard Dean AD - SOME DEMOCRATS WERE SUPPORTING THE WAR AND DEFENDING WAURB TAX CUTS. ONE CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT STOOD UP TO GEORGE BUSH, HOWARD DINO POSED THE WAR. HE'LL REPEAL THE BUSH TAX CUTS TO PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EVERY AMERICAN AND TAKE ON THE CORPORATE SPECIAL INTERESTS IN WASHINGTON. IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO CHANGE PRESIDENTS. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THE WAY WASHINGTON WORKS. STAND UP TO THE LOBBYISTS AND THE SPECIAL INTERESTS AND MAKE GOVERNMENT WORK FOR PEOPLE AGAIN. I'M HOWARD DEAN. AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK. CHIP NEAL - STAND UP TO THE SPECIAL INTERESTS. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Mark Wrighton - I THINK IT PLAYS VERY WELL WITH THE NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTORATE PARTICULARLY THOSE CONCERNED ABOUT CORPORATE SPECIAL INTERESTS. I THINK ALSO THIS AD DOES SOMETHING ELSE. I THINK IT DOES A GOOD JOB OF DISTINGUISHING GOVERNOR DEAN FROM PRESIDENT BUSH BUT ALSO FROM THE OTHER DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. CHIP NEAL - LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT A JOHN EDWARDS CAMPAIGN AD NOW. JOHN EDWARDS AD - I WAS BORN 50 YEARS AGO TO A FAMILY WITH LITTLE MATERIAL WEALTH BUT A BELIEF THAT IN AMERICA ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. WHEN PEOPLE DOUBTED I'D BECOME A LAWYER OR GET ELECTED TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE I PROVED THEM WRONG AND I WON. SO WHEN THEY SAY I CAN'T CHANGE WASHINGTON, I SAY I'M NOT OWNED BY ANYBODY. I'VE NEVER TAKEN A DIME FROM A WASHINGTON LOBBYIST AND I NEVER WILL. I'LL BE YOUR PRESIDENT, NOT THEIRS. WE WON'T TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG WITH EVERY OTHER CANDIDATE BUT DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR Mc. I'M JOHN EDWARDS AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE. CHIP NEAL - WHAT DO YOU THINK? Mark Wrighton - SIMILAR THEME. WE DID SEE SPECIAL INTERESTS IN THAT AD. BUT ALSO I THINK SINCE THE SENATOR IS TRYING TO ESTABLISH SOME BONA FIDES AND REMOVE SOME DOUBTS THAT PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE FROM SOMEONE WHO IS NOT EVEN A ONE-TERM SENATOR AT THE MOMENT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. CHIP NEAL - HE'S ALSO RUNNING A SQUEAKY CLEAN AD. HE'S NOT DENIGRATING ANYONE ELSE. Mark Wrighton - I THINK THAT APPEALS TO VOTERS. THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT ATTACK ADS AND SO-CALLED NEGATIVE ADS AND IF YOU'RE A CANDIDATE WHO IS ABLE TO SORT OF STAND ABOVE THAT, IT MIGHT CATCH YOU SOME VOTES. CHIP NEAL - LET'S LOOK AT A JOHN KERRY AD NOW. JOHN KERRY AD - I'VE WORKED WITH NEARLY ALL THE DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. LET ME TELL YOU WHY I'M SUPPORTING JOHN KERRY. WE'RE LIVING IN AN INCREASING DANGEROUS WORLD. AND JOHN KERRY HAS THE EXPERIENCE AND JUDGMENT NEEDED TO KEEP OUR NATION SAFE. WE NEED A PRESIDENT WHO WILL REALLY TAKE ON THE SPECIAL INTERESTS AND JOHN KERRY HAS DONE IT. I'M SUPPORTING JOHN KERRY. I HOPE YOU'LL JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING HIM TOO. THANKS, GOVERNOR SHAHEEN. I'M JOHN KERRY AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE. CHIP NEAL - SO, USING JEANNE SHAHEEN THE FORMER GOVERNOR, IS THIS A GOOD MOVE? Mark Wrighton - I THINK SO. SHE HAS PLAYED A PROMINENT ROLE IN HIS CAMPAIGN TO THIS POINT. I THINK THERE ARE DEMOCRATS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHO STILL ADMIRE HER AND SEE HER AS A POPULAR FIGURE. IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW MUCH THAT HELPS DISTINGUISH JOHN KERRY FROM THE OTHER CANDIDATES WITH THAT ONE CELEBRITY SUPPORTING HIM. ALSO, WE SAW THE THEME OF SPECIAL INTERESTS AGAIN. THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THEME IN THESE ADS. AND WE SEE AN ISSUE HERE AS WELL. HOMELAND SECURITY. CHIP NEAL - OKAY. LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT A DICK GEPHARDT AD. DICK GEPHARDT AD - 1993, DEMOCRATIC LEADER DICK GEPHARDT PASSES THE CLINTON ECONOMIC PLAN LEAD TO GO 22 MILLION NEW JOBS. DICK GEB GEPHARDT LED THE OPPOSITION TO THE NAFTA TREATY. BUT THE OTHERS SUPPORTED NAFTA. WE MUST RAISE GLOBAL STANDARDS SO THAT EVERYONE EVERYWHERE DOES BETTER. AS PRESIDENT I WON'T SIGN TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH COUNTRIES THAT USE SLAVE OR CHILD LABOR. I'M DICK GEPHARDT. I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE BECAUSE IT'S TIME WE CHANGE AMERICA'S TRADE POLICIES. CHIP NEAL - DOES DICK HAVE A CHANCE HERE? Mark Wrighton - WELL, THAT ISSUE IN PARTICULAR MAY BE ONE THAT DOESN'T GET AS MUCH TRACTION AS IT MIGHT IN IOWA PARTICULARLY THE TRADE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT REALLY AS UNIONIZED A STATE AS IOWA IS. BUT THERE ARE STILL SOME FOLKS HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THAT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT JOBS GOING OVERSEAS. I THINK ALSO WE SEE ANOTHER DISTINGUISHING AD WITH THE CANDIDATE TRYING TO DISTINGUISH HIMSELF FROM THE OTHERS. THAT'S A REAL CHALLENGE IN AN EIGHT-PERSON FIELD. CHIP NEAL - I GUESS HE'LL NEED A NEW CAMPAIGN AD IF HE DOES WELL IN IOWA. Mark Wrighton - HE MAY VERY WELL. CHIP NEAL - LET'S TAKE A LOOK NOW AT WES CLARK. WES CLARK AD - EDUCATION MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE. IT GAVE ME HOPE AND CONFIDENCE AND OPENED THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY. AS A LEADER IN THE ARMY I FOUGHT TIME AND AGAIN FOR BETTER SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILDREN OF THE MEN AND WOMEN IN THE SERVICE. I'M WES CLARK. AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE. AS PRESIDENT, I'LL WORK FOR ALL OUR CHILDREN. BUT UNLIKE GEORGE BUSH, I'LL MAKE SURE OUR TEACHERS AND KIDS GET WHAT THEY NEED TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS WORK. BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE. CHIP NEAL - NOW, HERE'S AN ISSUE. EDUCATION. IT SHOULD PLAY VERY WELL HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. Mark Wrighton - DEFINITELY. THERE ARE HIGH LEVELS OF EDUCATION HERE IN THE GRANITE STATE. I THINK PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. BUT IT ALSO IS AN INTERESTING AD IN THAT IT USES THE ISSUE TO SORT OF LEAD INTO DISTINGUISHING WITH THE PRESIDENT AND MAKING SORT OF THE SUBTLE POINT THAT HE MAY BE ABLE TO BEAT GEORGE BUSH. CHIP NEAL - ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS AD THAT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT? Mark Wrighton - I THINK IN PARTICULAR IT'S A POSITIVE AD. CERTAINLY THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR SOME FOLKS. WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEGATIVITY AS WELL THAT THAT MIGHT BE CREEPING INTO THE RACE. CHIP NEAL - IT COMES ACROSS AS A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD AD TOO. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF MUSIC OR EXTRA THINGS, FLASHY VISUALS. STRAIGHT ON. Mark Wrighton - WELL I THINK THAT MAY BE BE AN INCARNATION OF THE PERSONALITY OF THE CANDIDATE HIMSELF. GET TO IT SORT OF GENERAL SORT OF STYLE. CHIP NEAL - LET'S LOOK AT A LIEBERMAN CAMPAIGN AD NOW. JOE LIEBERMAN AD - IT'S A BOLD IDEA TO CUT TAXES FOR 98% OF AMERICA'S TAXPAYERS. THAT'S JOE LIEBERMAN'S PLAN TO HELP MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED BY GEORGE BUSH. A SWEEPING INCOME TAX CUT OF UP TO 10%, UP TO 2800 PER FAMILY. IT'S FISCALLY SOUND AND FAIR, PAID FOR BY MAKING BIG COMPANIES AND THE WEALTHIEST PAY MORE. JOE LIEBERMAN UNDERSTANDS THAT WHEN YOU STRENGTHEN THE MIDDLE CLASS, YOU STRENGTHEN AMERICA. I'M JOE LIEBERMAN AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE. CHIP NEAL - WHAT DO YOU SAY? Mark Wrighton - WELL, I THINK THIS IS AN AD THAT SORT OF EPITOMIZES THE DIFFICULTY THAT LIEBERMAN MAY BE HAVING GETTING TRACTION IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. IT REFLECTS A TAX CUT. I THINK THERE ARE MANY DEMOCRATS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BUSH TAX CUTS. AND ARE NOT NECESSARILY INTERESTED IN MORE TAX CUTS. I THINK IT REALLY DOES GO WITH THE DIFFICULTY IT HAS HAD HAD IN MATCHING UP WHO HE IS POLITICALLY WITH WHAT THE ELECTORATE HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE IS POLITICALLY. CHIP NEAL - LET'S FINALLY LOOK AT A DENNIS KUCINICH AD. DENNIS KUCINICH AD - HOPE BEGINS. INSTEAD OF PRE-EMPTIVE WAR LET US CREATE AN AMERICA WHICH WILL INSPIRE THE WORLD ONCE MORE. KUCINICH FOR PRESIDENT. I'M DENNIS KUCINICH. I'M RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. DO I APPROVE THIS COMMERCIAL? YOU BET. CHIP NEAL - WHAT ABOUT THAT ONE? Mark Wrighton - HARD HITTING. BASIC KUCINICH STYLE. HITS HIS BIG ISSUE. BUT IF AN. BUT IT'S AN ISSUE THAT MAY BE DIFFUSED OVER OTHER CANDIDATES PARTICULARLY WESLEY CLARK AND HOWARD DEAN. CHIP NEAL - MARK WRIGHTON THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Mark Wrighton - THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. |
| Intro Russell Return to index of stories... |
What would the race for the white house be without a little bit of humor? That's what political humorist Mark Russell brought to New Hampshire this past weekend. Russell has been delivering his unique blend of humor and music to public television for the past 27 years. It all started when fresh out of the marines he began singing his funny little songs at bars in Washington, DC. Eventually, he took a risky two week job at the Shoreham Hotel - it lasted twenty years. And it led to the public television show, personal appearances like the one at the music hall in Portsmouth this weekend, and a syndicated column. While he was here I spoke with Mark Russell about his career and his comedy. |
| Mark Russell Return to index of stories... |
SO HERE WE ARE AND IT'S VERY, VERY EXCITING. I GOT HERE YESTERDAY AND I TURNED ON THE NEWS AND I FOUND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF THE NEGATIVE ADS THEY TOOK OFF THE AIR IN IOWA. THEY'RE NOW IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. BUT IF IT WASN'T FOR NEGATIVE ADS, WE WOULD HAVE NO TRUTH AT ALL. CHIP NEAL - MARK RUSSELL, WELCOME TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. MARK RUSSELL - THANK YOU. CHIP NEAL - LET'S START WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE. THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE LIKE TO THINK WE'RE A HOT BED OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY HERE. I'M WONDERING WHETHER YOU SEE NEW HAMPSHIRE AS A PLACE FOR LOTS OF RAW MATERIAL FOR POLITICAL COMEDY. MARK RUSSELL - THE WORLD "FLINTY" ALWAYS COMES. UP ROCK RIB FLINTY NEW HAMPSHIRE. YOU DON'T LOOK FLINTY TO ME. YOU LOOK LIKE AN AVERAGE GUY. I THINK ALL THE CLICHES ABOUT NEW HAMPSHIRE APPLY TO VER MONTH MORE THAN THEY DO TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. I'VE BEEN COMING HERE FOR THE PRIMARIES FOR PROBABLY 20 YEARS. I LOVE THE WAY YOU ALL COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. I KNOW THAT THEY'RE GLAD TO SEE US GO BUT DO THEY REALLY WANT US TO GO BECAUSE THIS PAYS THE RENTS. SO I WENT THROUGH THE ARCHIVES AND I CAME UP WITH THE ORIGINAL NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SONG. ALL RIGHT. HERE WE GO. HAVE YOU GOT YOUR SONG SHEET WITH YOU? PAGE 222. WE ALL SING TOGETHER THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SONG. § AS HISTORY HAS SHOWN, OUR PRIMARY STANDS ALONE § AS THE ONE MOST OVERBLOWN, WE'RE NEW HAMPSHIRE § WHERE THE START OF EACH CAMPAIGN FROM HERE PRESIDENTS WILL REIGN § FROM PAUL SONGAS TO McCAIN, WE'RE NEW HAMPSHIRE § LIKE THE MEDIA WILL TROT AND COLLECTIVELY THEY'LL MISS THE POINT THAT NEW HAMPSHIRE DON'T MEAN SQUAT §§ § THE CENTRAL POINT IN THIS EVENT, NOT THAT WE PICK UP PRESIDENTS § BUT IT'S THE THING THAT PAYS THE RENT IN NEW HAMPSHIRE §§ § THE CANDIDATES PONTIFICATE AND FOR OUR VOTES THEY PLEAD § SINCE WE HAVE NO TAXES, IT'S THEIR MONEY THAT WE NEED §§ § IN ADVANCE AND THE MEDIA IS ON WATCH FROM PORTSMOUTH TO DICKSON NOTCH § AND WE'VE GOT THEM BY THE CROTCH IN NEW HAMPSHIRE §§ NEW HAMPSHIRE! CHIP NEAL - WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF GOOD POLITICAL HUMOR? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? MARK RUSSELL - WELL, JUST AN IRONY, A BIT OF IRONY WHERE YOU LOOK AT THE NEWSPAPER AND YOU DO A DOUBLE TAKE. IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE. OR YOU'LL TAKE TWO EVENTS. YOU'LL TAKE RUSH LIMBAUGH GETS HELP FROM THE ACLU TO KEEP HIS MEDICAL RECORDS SECRET. NOW YOU'VE GOT AN AMUSING THING ON THERE. RUSH LIMBAUGH GETTING HELP FROM THE A.C.L.U. HE'S BEEN LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES, SEE? CHIP NEAL - STRANGE BEDFELLOWS. MARK RUSSELL - YEAH. CHIP NEAL - YOU JUST MENTIONED THIS EARLIER, BUT IT SEEMS TO TAKE SORT OF AN ODDLY SECURED. SKEWERED POINT OF VIEW TO COME UP WITH SOME OF THIS MATERIAL. MARK RUSSELL - I'M NOT THAT I'M SKEWERED BUT GENERAL CLARK. GENERAL CLARK, A DEMOCRAT? THREE THINGS I FIND HARD TO BELIEVE ABOUT CLARK. HE'S A DEMOCRAT, A GENERAL AND ANTI-WAR. IN HISTORY YOU'VE ONLY HAD ONE PERSON WHO SUDDENLY BECAME ANTI-WAR AT THE END OF HIS MILITARY CAREER, AND THAT WAS GENERAL CUSTER. § HE WANTS OUR VOTE, HE HOPES IT'S HIM WE PICK. BUT THE DOCTORS MAKING HOUSE CALLS AND THERE AIN'T NOBODY SICK. CLARK WOULD TRAVEL IN THOFT OF THEM THERE VANS BUT WE VOTE FOR DR. DEAN WE HAVE A FEW DEMANDS. WE WANT RUSH LIMBAUGH IN THE CABINET AND BUCHANAN TO NAME A FEW. HOMEMADE MOON SHINE LEGALIZED. THAT GOES FOR OUR FLIGHTS TOO. ILLEGAL WEDLOCK BETWEEN COUSINS. DOCTOR, PLEASE TAKE NOTE. MAKE DIXIE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. MAYBE THEN YOU'LL GET OUR VOTE. SO IF WE VOTE FOR DR. DEAN, COME ELECTION DAY, AS A BONUS HE WILL GET THE VOTES OF THE KNIGHTS OF THE KKK. WE ASSUME HE'S THE ONE. WE ASSUME HE'S THE ONE. IF HE DON'T IT'S TOO LATE. MARK RUSSELL - THE ORIGINAL POLITICAL HUMORIST, THERE WAS. THEY USED PSEUDONYMS. THEY HAD NAMES LIKE GEORGE WASHINGTON PLUNKETT AND THERE WAS A FELLOW NAMED BILL NYE. BILL NYE AT THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY WROTE A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES FROM COLUMBUS TO THE 1890s WHEN THE BOOK WAS WRITTEN EVERY SINGLE HISTORICAL EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY AND THE WHOLE THING WAS A PUT-ON. IT WAS HILARIOUS. HE WAS SAID TO BE MARK TWAIN'S FAVORITE HUMORIST. MARK TWAIN AND THE OBVIOUS ONES WILL ROGERS AND MORT SOL. SO IT JUST KEEPS GOING ALONG. I HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY ALL THESE PEOPLE. CHIP NEAL - PARTS OF THE WAY THEY DO THINGS AND TECHNIQUES THEY USE ARE THINGS THAT YOU'VE INCORPORATED AS WELL? YOU LEARN FROM THEM. MARK RUSSELL - ABSOLUTELY. SURE. YOU COULD SEE THESE PEOPLE. OR LENNY BRUCE WHO JUST GOT PARDONED BY GOVERNOR PATAKI. MAYBE PATAKI IS HUNGARIAN FOR HMM-MMMM. BUT THESE ARE PEOPLE. A LOT OF THEM, LENNY BRUCE WOULD WORK. IT WAS DANGEROUS. FOR A GUY LIKE HIM IT WOULD BE LIKE THESE GERMANS. YOU KNOW, THE NAZIS. NOT THE NAZIS BUT THE GERMANS IN THE '30s HAD POLITICAL SATIRISTS. THEIR OPENING NIGHT AND THEIR CLOSING NIGHT WAS THE SAME NIGHT. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF GUYS. THEY PERFORMED WITH BLACK CLOTH OVER THE DOORS OF THESE SUB TERRAINIAN CELLARS. VERY, VERY RISKY. CHIP NEAL - HAVE YOU FOUND YOURSELF IN ANY CONTROVERSY OVER MATERIAL BEFORE? CAN YOU THINK OF TIMES WHEN THAT'S HAPPENED TO YOU? MARK RUSSELL - IN 1983 ON PBS AFTER THOSE MARINES WERE KILLED AT THE BEIRUT AIRPORT, I HAD AN OPENING. I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE OPENED THE SHOW WITH IT. BUT IT WAS A. IT WAS DARK. IT WAS SATIRICAL BUT IT WAS DARK ABOUT WHY DO WE HAVE SO MANY OF THOSE TROOPS CLUSTERED IN THIS ONE PLACE? AND I MADE THE DUBIOUS CHOICE OF WRITING THAT TO THE TUNE OF THE MARINE CORPS HYMN. EVEN THOUGH I WAS AN EX-MARINE, IT DIDN'T GO DOWN WELL WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE. ANOTHER THING, IT FOLLOWED THE MacNEIL/LEHRER REPORT. THAT PARTICULAR EVENING THEY ENDED THE SHOW WITH A CRAWL OF ALL OF THE DEAD MARINES, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM, LIKE THAT. IN SILENCE. BEING PBS THERE'S NO COMMERCIALS SO THEY CUT RIGHT INTO ME DOING THAT THING. IT WAS ABRUPT. LOOKING BACK, I LOOK AT IT AND I'D SAY I'D HAVE DONE THE SAME THING. I MIGHT HAVE PUT IT A LITTLE LATER INTO THE SHOW BUT. SO I GOT A LOT OF. MORE ANGRY MAIL THAN EVER AND A LOT MORE THAN EVER. I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, IF I WAS REALLY GOOD AT THIS, IF I REALLY DID THIS RIGHT, IF I REALLY CALLED MYSELF A SATIRIST, I'D GET THAT MUCH MAIL EVERY WEEK. I'M SURE. I'M NOT PROUD THERE THAT I ONLY GOT IT ONCE. I WISH HE'D STOP BRAGGING ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET OF VERMONT EIGHT TIMES. WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? A COUPLE OF HUNDRED BUCKS? WHAT IS THAT? I LOVEED IT TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN HE SAID HE WANTS THE VOTES OF GUYS DOWN SOUTH WITH CONFEDERATE FLAGS ON THEIR PICK-UP TRUCKS. THAT WOULD BE AL GORE. AL GORE IS NOT RUNNING. HE ANNOUNCED A YEAR AGO HE WASN'T GOING TO RUN. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AL GORE AND OSAMA BIN LADEN IS THAT BIN LADEN IS WANTED. SO GORE IS SUPPORTING HOWARD DEAN WHICH ISN'T A VERY NICE WAY FOR AL GORE TO TREAT HIS OLD RUNNING MATE. JOHN? NO, JOE LIEBERMAN. YOU MIGHT SAY THAT GORE DID TO LIEBERMAN WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DID TO BOTH OF THEM AND WHAT BILL CLINTON DID TO COUNTLESS WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY. CHIP NEAL - WHAT'S THE AVERAGE LIFE OF A JOKE? MARK RUSSELL - IN MY CASE THE AVERAGE LIFE OF A JOKE WHEN YOU'RE WORKING TOPICALLY LIKE THIS, IT COULD BE A DAY. THAT IS THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART OF THIS. I ENVY PERFORMERS WHO HAVE THIS WONDERFUL ACT ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIPS AND THEIR DOGS AND THEIR CARS. THAT JOKE IS GOING TO WORK. THERE ARE GOING TO BE RELATIONSHIPS FIVE YEARS FROM NOW. BUT THERE ISN'T GOING TO BE SOME NOMINEE FOR SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY THAT GETS A BIG LAUGH ON A MONDAY. YOU GET A TEN ON A MONDAY. BY FRIDAY IT'S SILENCE. YOU CAN HEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING, YOU CAN HEAR THE BUILDING SETTLING. IT'S FUN. IT'S FUN WHEN YOU GET THE BIG LAUGH BUT IT JUST GOES DOWN, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN. CHIP NEAL - DOES IT EVER COME BACK AROUND? MARK RUSSELL - THAT'S A GOOD POINT. DO THEY EVER COME BACK AROUND? YOU'D HAVE TO CONTRIVE IT. YOU REALLY WOULD. THE AUDIENCE WOULD SENSE THAT. I HAVE A CONSCIENCE BELIEVE IT OR NOT. CHIP NEAL - WHAT DO YOU WANT THE AUDIENCES TO TAKE HOME WITH THEM? MARK RUSSELL - THAT THEY HAD A GOOD TIME AND THAT THEY SEE THIS TRAGIC STUFF FROM A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT. THAT'S REACTION. YOU WILL PUT EVERYTHING IN PERSPECTIVE. YOU GIVE IT ANOTHER TWIST. YOU GAVE US ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT. NOT TO THINK ABOUT IT. NOT ANOTHER WAY TO THINK BUT JUST ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT AND MAKE THIS STUFF A LITTLE BIT MORE PALATABLE THAT'S ALL. PEOPLE HAVE TO SIT HIM DOWN AND GIVE HIM GOOD ADVICE AND SAY, HOWARD, JUST RELAX. JUST GO ON OUT THERE AND BE ONE OF YOURSELVES. AND THEN ACCORDING TO THE RELIGIOUS. |
| Intro MLK Return to index of stories... |
Monday, New Hampshire celebrated Martin Luther King Civil Rights Day. It was almost 50 years ago when Martin Luther King spoke in New Hampshire at the Pearl Street Church. The Portsmouth church is an important symbol of black heritage in New Hampshire. Now, the Seacoast Martin Luther King Coalition is petitioning to change the name of "Pearl Street" to "Martin Luther King Street". Across the country, many streets bear the name of Martin Luther King - CNN's Bruce Burkhardt takes us on a tour. |
| MLK Return to index of stories... |
--REPORTER PKG-AS FOLLOWS-- There is a road that wends its way through the heart and soul of Black America. It may be called a boulevard, a drive, an avenue, a street, or a way, but it is always named Martin Luther King. THE WORDS ARE THOSE OF AUTHOR JONATHAN TILOVE. THE PICTURES ARE THOSE OF PHOTOGRAPHER MICHAEL FALCO. TOGETHER THEY SET OUT ON A JOURNEY THAT RESULTED IN THIS BOOK.ALONG MARTIN LUTHER KING, TRAVELS ON BLACK AMERICA'S MAIN STREET. The book was an attempt to see where a trip along Martin Luther King streets would lead. street noise IN MANY WAYS, IT IS JUST ONE LONG STREET. FROM MIAMI TO CHICAGO. FROM DALLAS TO THOMASTON GEORGIA WHERE A HAND PAINTED SIGN POINTS THE WAY. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST STREET NAMED FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING BUT IT MIGHT BE THE PLACE TO START THE JOURNEY. ITS WHERE HIS JOURNEY STARTED, HERE IN ATLANTA. THAT'S WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL, GRADUATED FROM THERE, BOOKER T WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL. One of the grandest of the streets, one of the longest. So this was his neighborhood the last years of his life. He went to Morehouse. His mother as an adult went to Morris Brown. And his funeral cortege would have passed right under this bridge here. UNLIKE MOST MLK STREETS, THIS ONE ACTUALLY GOES THROUGH SOME WHITE AREAS.DOWNTOWN, PAST PAST THE STATEHOUSE AND IT FINALLY ENDS IN OF ALL PLACES, HERE.OAKLAND CEMETARY.FINAL RESTING SPOT FOR SOME 3 THOUSAND CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS AND MARGARET MITCHELL, AUTHOR OF GONE WITH THE WIND. street noise, Belle Glade, FL - then fade in music of Lester Finney singing - " THIS IS ANOTHER PLACE THAT MLK BOULEVARD LEADS TO.BELLE GLADE FLORIDA AND THE T-SHIRT SHOP OF LESTER FINNEY. any MLK boulevard you go to. Its not going to be a dead street, gonna be people there so if there's black people there, you can call it a black street.But it is a street that has a black man's name. There are Lester Finneys or people like Lester Finney who on each of these streets who, kind of, without title or portfolio or pay or recognition, hold these streets together THEN THERE'S THOSE LITTLE ODD CONNECTIONS. IN SELMA, ALABAMA THE CORNER OF MLK AND JEFF DAVIS OR IN HARLEM, IT WAS ON THIS MLK, THEN 125TH STREET, THAT KING WAS STABBED AND NEARLY DIED IN 1958. AND FORTY YEARS LATER, IN JASPER TEXAS, IT WAS ON MLK STREET THAT JAME BYRD HITCHED A RIDE IN PICK-UP ONLY TO BE CHAINED TO A BUMPER AND DRAGGED TO HIS DEATH. lester singing. STILL THE NAME MARTIN LUTHER KING HAS ALWAYS MEANT HOPE AND THATS WHAT YOU'LL FIND ON HIS STREETS. Everytime you ride down the street and you're looking for a location, you're going to recognize the name that means positivity. Lester singing. BRUCE BURKHARDT, CNN, ATLANTA. ----END-----CNN.SCRIPT |
| Web Pointer Return to index of stories... |
That is it for this edition of our program. For more information and links to our guests and interviews, connect with us on-line at nhptv.org. Join our online discussion and tell us what's on your mind. You can also find streaming video of all our broadcasts. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - With the Iowa caucuses over the Democratic presidential candidates are headed for the granite state. We'll be out on the campaign trail. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
We'll see you next time. I'm Chip Neal. Thanks for watching. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Stratford Foundation |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. With the Iowa caucuses over the Democratic presidential candidates are headed for the granite state. We'll be out on the campaign trail. Join us tonight at 10:00. |
| key: National Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/19/04 22:00 HOST: Chip Neal Length: 9:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we'll explore the funny side of politics with satirist Mark Russell. Plus. There's Dean, Kerry, Clark - and even Kucinich - their political ads are everywhere. We'll look at the message the candidates are hoping to convey. And later. A message of hope - Along the roads of Martin Luther King. But first. With all eyes on Iowa the campaign trail was a pretty lonely one here in New Hampshire Monday. All but two of the Democratic presidential candidates spent the day in the Hawkeye state in preparation for the caususes. Although many of the candidates may not be here in the granite state you certainly wouldn't know it by turning on your television. Joining us to talk about some of the ads we're seeing - Mark Wrighton a political science professor at the University of New Hampshire. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal, Jennifer Vachon NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Mark Wrighton\UNH Political Science |
| key: Culture / Arts Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/19/04 22:00 HOST: Chip Neal Length: 12:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we'll explore the funny side of politics with satirist Mark Russell. Plus. There's Dean, Kerry, Clark - and even Kucinich - their political ads are everywhere. We'll look at the message the candidates are hoping to convey. And later. A message of hope - Along the roads of Martin Luther King. What would the race for the white house be without a little bit of humor? That's what political humorist Mark Russell brought to New Hampshire this past weekend. Russell has been delivering his unique blend of humor and music to public television for the past 27 years. It all started when fresh out of the marines he began singing his funny little songs at bars in Washington, DC. Eventually, he took a risky two week job at the Shoreham Hotel - it lasted twenty years. And it led to the public television show, personal appearances like the one at the music hall in Portsmouth this weekend, and a syndicated column. While he was here I spoke with Mark Russell about his career and his comedy. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Mark Russell\Political Humorist |
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/19/04 22:00 HOST: Chip Neal Length: 12:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we'll explore the funny side of politics with satirist Mark Russell. Plus. There's Dean, Kerry, Clark - and even Kucinich - their political ads are everywhere. We'll look at the message the candidates are hoping to convey. And later. A message of hope - Along the roads of Martin Luther King. What would the race for the white house be without a little bit of humor? That's what political humorist Mark Russell brought to New Hampshire this past weekend. Russell has been delivering his unique blend of humor and music to public television for the past 27 years. It all started when fresh out of the marines he began singing his funny little songs at bars in Washington, DC. Eventually, he took a risky two week job at the Shoreham Hotel - it lasted twenty years. And it led to the public television show, personal appearances like the one at the music hall in Portsmouth this weekend, and a syndicated column. While he was here I spoke with Mark Russell about his career and his comedy. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Mark Russell\Political Humorist |
| key: Minorities / Civil Rights Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 01/19/04 22:00 HOST: Chip Neal Length: 3:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we'll explore the funny side of politics with satirist Mark Russell. Plus. There's Dean, Kerry, Clark - and even Kucinich - their political ads are everywhere. We'll look at the message the candidates are hoping to convey. And later. A message of hope - Along the roads of Martin Luther King. Monday, New Hampshire celebrated Martin Luther King Civil Rights Day. It was almost 50 years ago when Martin Luther King spoke in New Hampshire at the Pearl Street Church. The Portsmouth church is an important symbol of black heritage in New Hampshire. Now, the Seacoast Martin Luther King Coalition is petitioning to change the name of "Pearl Street" to "Martin Luther King Street". Across the country, many streets bear the name of Martin Luther King - CNN's Bruce Burkhardt takes us on a tour. PRODUCER/REPORTER: CNN - Bruce Burkhardt\National Correspondent NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jonathan Tilove\Author, "Along Martin Luther King", Lester Finney\Shop Owner |
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Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. . Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |