More DNC coverage that cable news was too busy to carry; Shearer says "it's a branding op"

Of course I'm partisan to Brian Schweitzer ... he's a native Montanan, like I am. Also, John Bohlinger, whom I've known since childhood, is his (Republican) lieutenant governor. But that's not really the reason I think the cable networks should have televised his speech last night to the Democratic National Convention. They should have televised it because it was a helluva lot more entertaining than anything they had to offer.

Rocking nervously behind the podium, like a preacher working his first Billy Graham Crusade, Gov. Schweitzer roused the whole Pepsi Center to its feet while making frequent and voluble pitches for alternative energy. (Livingston, Montana, is one of the country's windiest vistas and site of some of the earliest wind farms.) Cutaway shots on C-SPAN showed Presidents Clinton and Carter laughing while getting out of their seats. They know when a speaker has got the crowd on his side.

Here's what you missed:

Then there was the fire-breathing address by the reliable red meat eater Dennis Kucinich, whose "Wake up America!" chant got the crowd fired up:

And here is Kansas Gov. and VP short-lister Kathleen Sebelius:

None of which got much, if any, coverage on the commercial networks. I ranted about this yesterday in a blog post titled, Why do cable news channels talk over everything at the conventions?

Harry Shearer, voice of most of the "Simpsons" characters who matter and host of the weekly "Le Show," wrote this reply:

Good question. My answer: because the conventions are a branding opportunity. That's what they're paying dearly for, the opportunity to market themselves--how many times does Wolf Blitzer have to repeat "the best political team on television" before he has an aneurysm? The podium is a backdrop, nothing more.