Why is the media not reporting on the fact that Palin's speech attracted 37.2 million viewers?

Question

According to Nielsen, 37.2 million people watched the speech on six networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX, and MSNBC) but I haven't heard one mention of this on-air on their respective websites. Fox made mention of it for a brief second when they went off the RNC live coverage went off the air but CNN and MSNBC has not. At least during the hours upon hours I was tuned into yesterday and today.

That's 13 million more than Biden. That's 1 million less than Obama but keep in mind that Palin's speech was carried by four less networks than Obama's speech (BET and TV One also showed Obama).

More women and more hispanics tuned in to watch Palin speak (despite not being carried by Univision and Telemundo with regards to hispanic viewers).

It's pretty funny to me that after 2 years of campaigning, Obama attracted 38 million viewers to his "historic speech" and Palin attracted 37 million in less than 1 week. People seem to make a point for Obama that he raised 10 million overnight after Palin's speech compared to the 1 million the McCain camp raised. That's not something positive, people. That's fear. The Dems are scrambling but I imagine the "sheeple" will believe otherwise.

FYI: I'm a lifelong Democrat voting McCain/Palin.

SOURCE: http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/04/politics/horserace/entry4417245.shtml

Answer 1

Your logic fall short. Common sense tells you, if a person appears out of the blue (she was virtually unknown) and is a female (which is NEVER happened before for the Republicans), of course people are going to tune in. It's called curiousity!

And, to say that raising $10 mil overnight is called fear. That is ridiculous. Obviously, that is called SUPPORT.

I do agree that the democrats are probably taking the Sarah Palin situation seriously. Not because she is an intelligent threat, but because she is enough of an excitement builder for the Republicans to create a need to take it seriously. However, as a woman, I was a bit offended that McCain thought that he could take some random, unknown woman and put her in the VP spot and ASSUME that all women would flock to her. She DEFINITELY is no Hillary Clinton, Condaleeza Rice or another other high profile, woman politician.

Answer 2

Because the media chooses stories that gets viewers. Why didn't they cover the Ron Paul convention, which brought in thousands upon thousands of people?

Answer 3

Because Obama is a media creation and it's not working out as planned. The media is heavily invested financially and his supporters emotionally.

Answer 4

Because...it's irrelevant...She had absolutely nothing of "substance" to say regarding the issues that matter to people...Folks tuned in out of curiousity...BTW...Before you vote, remember this....

Obama’s Economic Plan if He Were President:  The Standard Democratic Response

•$50 Billion “Stimulus” Program to extend unemployment benefits past the 26 week limit and help struggling State governments.

•A more aggressive foreclosure prevention effort with $10 Billion dollar in funding.

•Tax cut for Americans making less than $150,000 and increase in taxes for those making more than $150,000 annually.

•Encourages a “windfall” profits tax on oil companies (which may discourage investment in new energy sources).

•Opposes raising the mandatory Social Security age

•Give $4,000 a year in tuition aid to college students interested in public service after graduation.

•Eliminating “taxes” for those who make less than $50,000 a year by giving them between $500 - $1,000 a year in tax relief.

How is Barack Obama Going to Fund These Initiatives?

•Close “corporate” loopholes worth $1 Billion dollars

•Cracking down on the international tax havens

•Increasing the dividend and capital gains taxes for the wealthy

Barack Obama’s Voting Record in the US Senate: Left-Leaning Tendencies

•Voted to repeal tax subsidies given to corporations that take jobs out of the country.

•Voted against reforming the “personal bankruptcy” law.

•Voted to shift corporate tax loophole monies to education and community learning centers.

•Voted hard against “drilling” more oil in Alaska

•Voted for strengthening “unions” and “increasing the minimum wage”

McCain’s Economic Plan if He Were President:  The Standard Republican Response

•Cutting the second highest business tax rate (as an incentive to create jobs and to prevent them from leaving the country)

•Doubling the child tax exemption from $3,500 to $7,000

•Reducing government spending and getting rid of “failed government programs”

•Opening new markets and preparing workers to compete in the “new economy”

•Public/Private competition for educational systems

How does John McCain Plan to “Fund” These Initiatives?

•The solution is to “drill” for oil to reduce dependence upon “foreign” oil

•Reduce “pork” barrel spending in Washington

•Eliminate corrupt lobbyists

McCain’s Voting Record in the US Senate is to: Right-leaning tendencies

•Refuse to remove the tax subsidies given to corporations that are moving jobs oversees

•Agreed to restrict and reform the “personal bankruptcy” law in order to make it more difficult for others to file for personal bankruptcy and not pay their bills.

•Pro-Nafta, Pro-Gatt, Pro-Fast Track, Pro-MFN

•For reducing campaign finance (527) and against pork barrel spending but “doesn’t practice what he preaches”.

My Impression is that McCain “doesn’t practice what he preaches”….Though he says he is for reducing pork barrel spending and restricting the campaign financing, he selects a VP who is under suspicion for the very things he “publicly” despises…

Sarah Palin’s track record is “scanty” but from what I can tell she too lacks “credibility” when it comes to her private behavior vs. public behavior…

Answer 5

I saw it reported more than once.  Your point is moot.

And I doubt you're a Democrat.

Answer 6

Obama's team sent out e-mails to beg for money

Answer 7

Honestly, I expected it to have a large audience, because no on knows who this woman is and they wanted to hear her actually speak words and not smile and wave.

In all honesty I watched it to see if she would talk about anything substantial, which she didn't. I also wanted to see if she would trip up in reading her speech off the teleprompter. I also wanted to see if they would drag that poor boy there to paint the picture of a happy little 17 year old family to be....and they did engagement ring and all. I wonder if her mother bought it for her the day before.

Answer 8

how on earth can a life long democrat change sides AFTER 8 years of a republican leader.. one who has the lowest approval ratings in history.. Mccain admitted himself he voted with Bush over 90% of the time.. why would anyone who wants true change do that.. seriously, i dont get it?

Answer 9

LOL...can they determine how many of those 37 million were tuning in to see the freak show?  I watched...just for laughs and wanted to see if she would give ONE second to the issues...which she didn't.  I'm not worried, I think that 10 million to Obama was more like "this lady is an F'ing idiot" more than "fear".  LMAO.

Answer 10

Who cares I guess. I think the reason it was watched so much is because no one had ever heard of her and now all of a sudden we're supposed to trust this woman from Alaska we've never heard of. Really.

Answer 11

Thank you for your post. At least a few people may read it who otherwise wouldn't have known, but probably not 37 million, they'll just have to tune in to watch McCain and Palin together this coming week!  

Answer 12

They thought it was an evening edition of "The View".

Answer 13

cant really count on media to help the mccain / palin cause

Answer 14

I think it was part over curiosity as some have said but also, I believe there are a lot of people who are undecided on their vote and really wanted to see what Palin was all about. I was personally very impressed with her.

I have no idea why anyone would vote for Obama. Why would anyone want a total racist as president. There is SO much controversy surrounding him yet the media attacks Palin. Yes, it is possible for a black man to be a racist. Plus, he has heavy ties with known terrorists and mafia. Good grief.  He speaks about change but what change? To overburden the American people with higher taxes. Why shouldnt Americans be able to keep more of the money they make? Obama is the most far left social liberal in the Senate. No thanks!!!

Answer 15

Probably because it doesn't matter.

I'm a hardcore democrat who would NEVER vote republican, yet I turned to her speech.  Within 5 seconds, she was staying things that I didn't agree with AND completely ripping Obama, so I changed the channel.

That's probably what most of America did, maybe that's why they aren't reporting on it.

Answer 16

BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME SPEECH SHE GAVE WHEN SHE WAS SELECTED GET A GRIP SHE IS TOAST  

Answer 17

That's because Democrats bother to listen to other points of view.  Relax, will ya?

Answer 18

Because the liberal elitist media created Obamarama and feels it's their job to get him elected and then declared a saint. Only their attacks on Palin backfired and catapulted her into the national spotlight, which she took to like a fish to water.

A barracuda.

Answer 19

alot of people watch american idol, so what? shes no howard stern

Answer 20

I heard the 37 million several times.  heard it on CNN and MSNBC too.  I don't think any of the press are denying her meteoric rise to prominence?