Happy Repeal Day

Happy Repeal Day!

Raise a glass and toast the 75th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment which repealed prohibition in the United States.

Section 1. The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.

Section 2. The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use there in of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.

Section 3. This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress.

Prohibition began on January 16, 1919 when the 18th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified and ended on December 5, 1933.

There could be more changes in store at CNN. Here's the latest speculation from an article that was posted on the New York Times website:

CNN is close to making a change of its own with its Sunday program “Late Edition,” installing John King, its chief national correspondent and longtime White House correspondent, in the host role that has been filled for 10 years by Wolf Blitzer.

CNN executives would not comment on the decision but they did not deny that the Sunday move to Mr. King had been discussed. At the same time, Mr. Blitzer is close to signing an extension of his CNN contract that would continue his role as the network’s chief anchor for breaking news and political coverage, an executive who has been briefed on the plans said.

Because the deal is not final, the people who spoke about CNN’s Sunday plans requested anonymity.

CNN has been considering a change on Sunday for some time, largely because of the extraordinary work load Mr. Blitzer has taken on over the last several years. His Monday through Friday CNN show, “The Situation Room,” fills three hours a day. It has risen to become the leading cable news program during those hours in the 25- to 54-year-old age group, regarded by advertisers as the most important audience for news channels. With the two-hour “Late Edition,” Mr. Blitzer has been on the air 17 hours a week, more than any one else in television news.

And as one CNN executive pointed out, Mr. Blitzer must prepare his Sunday program on Saturdays, so he has effectively been working seven-day weeks since “The Situation Room” was established more than three years ago. Mr. King, whose name also appeared for a time on the list of potential contenders for the “Meet the Press” moderator job, raised his own profile this election season with his work on CNN’s high-tech Electoral College touch-screen wall. The feature became so much a signature of CNN’s election coverage this year that it was satirized first on “Saturday Night Live” and then on “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.”

Mr. King appeared as himself in the latter sketch, in which he used the “magic wall” to control the world, even the baking section of a Williams-Sonoma store, saying at the end, “It’s good to be king.”

Earlier this week, Christiane Amanpour was a guest on the Tonight Show. She discussed her first day at CNN as well as Scream Bloody Murder.

All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNN and may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.

Ratings At A Glance

Ratings for the week OCTOBER 27 - OCTOBER 31, 2008

	8PM^Adults 25-54 FOX 1,020,000 CNN 532,600 MSNBC 1,179,800 HLN 439,600
	9PM^Adults 25-54 FOX 1,011,200 CNN 630,800 MSNBC 1,063,000 HLN 182,200
	10PM^Adults 25-54 FOX 879,400 CNN 888,400 MSNBC 757,000 HLN 337,000

Viewership was up the week prior to Election Day. During the 8PM and 9PM hour FOX took second place to MSNBC (leaving CNN in third place) in the Adults 25 - 54 demographic. The 10PM hour once again has CNN ahead of both FOX and MSNBC.

Photo credit: E.M. Pio Roda/CNN
Election Day, November 4, 2008
7PM - 12 MIDNIGHT

	Average Adults 25 - 54	Average Total Viewers
FOX	3,549,600	8,312,200
CNN	5,839,400	12,122,200
MSNBC	2,651,200	5,861,200

Among the cable news networks, CNN had the most viewers over FOX and MSNBC in both the demographic Adults 25 - 54 and total viewers. Above lists the average viewers from 7PM - 12 MIDNIGHT in both the demo and total viewers. Below you'll find press releases from CNN that give more details on the breakdown of their ratings for the night.

^{^} Courtesy Nielsen Media Research; Demographics where noted; Live + Same Day (LS) Fast Track Nationals.

CNN was the most-watched network on television from 8-12:30a on Election Night with an average of 13.3 million total viewers, ABC followed with 12.5 million, NBC had 11.9 million, Telemundo had 8.5 million, FNC posted 8.1 million, CBS averaged 7.5 million, MSBNC had 6.4 million and FOX posted 4.7 million.

CNN’s 2008 Election Night coverage dominated the competition and resulted in its highest primetime ratings in the network’s 28-year history. CNN topped the cable news competition with an average of 12.3 million total viewers tuning in during primetime (8-11p), a 36% advantage over FNC’s 9 million and an impressive 109% lead over MSNBC’s 5.9 million. Among adults 25-54, CNN was also #1 with 5.8 million, a 48% advantage over FNC’s 3.9 million and 119% lead over MSNBC’s 2.7 million demo viewers. Among younger viewers18-34, CNN was also first with 3.4 million, FNC placed second with 1.8 million and MSNBC was third with 1.4 million.

CNN had the largest gains in prime time compared to 2004 in 25-54, doubling its audience, up 102%, while FNC only increased 4% and MSNBC was up 87%. (This was also reflected in total day where CNN grew the most among 25-54, up 97%, while FNC declined -16% and MSNBC was up 94%.)

CNN.com delivered the largest daily audience in its history with 30 million unique visitors on Election Day, more than doubling the previous record of 13.4 million generated on Super Tuesday of this year.

CNN.com generated 282.5 million page views, also marking the highest day in the site's history and more than doubling its previous record of 103.2 million page views from Super Tuesday of this year. On Election Day, CNN.com's traffic peaked during the 9pm ET hour with 35.6 million page views. CNNPolitics.com also saw record-breaking traffic on Election Day, generating 30.1 million page views - a 43% increase over its previous record. Furthermore, CNN.com's special Election Section alone generated 103.2 million page views. The Political Ticker, the No. 1 political news blog according to Nielsen Online, generated 8.7 million page views, scoring its second best day ever. (Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, global)

Election Night 2008

8p-11p	P2+	P18-34	P18-49	P25-54
CNN	12.292	3.374	6.512	5.817
FXNC	9.027	1.823	4.042	3.922
MSNBC	5.888	1.382	2.672	2.662

7p-1a	P2+	P18-34	P18-49	P25-54
CNN	11.940	3.517	6.575	5.826
FXNC	7.516	1.518	3.333	3.246
MSNBC	5.821	1.495	2.803	2.635

As Internet users sought up-to-the-minute news, information, analysis and results on Election Day, the CNN Digital Network dominated all competitors, ranking No.1 in unique Visitors and Page Views. Additionally, CNN.com Live, the Internet’s only multi-stream, live video news service, smashed previous records by serving 5.3 million live streams on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Continuing its reputation for being the premier online destination for news and information, the homepage of CNN.com was the most popular news gateway on Election Day, according to Nielsen Online. Overall, the site attracted the largest, most engaged daily audience in its history, more than doubling its previous records for both unique users and page views. On Election Day, the CNN Digital Network:

• Attracted 12.8 million unique visitors, besting MSNBC Digital by more than 700,000 and Yahoo! News by 1.4 million;

• Generated the largest number of page views with 137 million, 11 percent more than MSNBC Digital’s 123 million and 81 percent more than Yahoo! News’ 75 million; and

• Registered 66 percent growth in unique visitors over Election Day 2004. (Sources: Nielsen Online)

Election Day 2008 also marked a milestone for CNN.com Live, as it served 5.3 million live streams, nearly tripling its previous daily streaming record of 1.8 million streams, which was set on Sept. 1 – the first day of the Republican National Convention and the day Hurricane Gustav made landfall. CNN.com also served an additional 6.8 million on-demand video streams on Election Day. (Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, Global)

Likewise, CNNPolitics.com saw record-breaking traffic on Election Day, generating 30.1 million page views – a 43-percent increase over its previous record. CNN.com’s special election section alone generated a staggering 103.2 million page views. The Political Ticker, the No. 1 political news blog according to Nielsen Online, generated 8.7 million page views, scoring its second best day ever. (Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, global)

For Wednesday, Nov. 5, the day following the election, CNN.com continued its momentum by doubling its daily average unique users. Additionally, Wednesday marked the highest day on record for on-demand video usage when CNN.com served 12 million streams, representing an increase of 78 percent over Election Day and nearly doubling the previous record high of 6.5 million set on Sept. 12, when Hurricane Ike made landfall. (Source: Omniture SiteCatalyst, global)

Today CNN chief national correspondent John King sat down with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for an interview airing on CNN’s “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer,” airing Sunday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ET). A partial transcript of their conversation, which aired today on “The Situation Room,” is below.

(Note: John King will guest host “Late Edition” on Sunday).

O'BRIEN: Over on Capitol Hill, we're learning more about a confrontation with Democrat-turned-Independent Senator Joe Lieberman. At issue is Lieberman's support of John McCain and his very public criticism of Barack Obama. Now at stake, Lieberman's committee chairmanship and whether he's going to continue to caucus with the Democrats.

Let's get right to our Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash. Dana, you've been reporting on what's been going on behind the scenes. What are you hearing?



DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Soledad, you know, we have learned that in that private meeting yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told Joe Lieberman that, because of that harsh criticism specifically of Barack Obama at the Republican convention, that Reid wants to strip Lieberman of his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee and instead make him the chairman of a lower profile committee. And I'm actually told that one option that Reid gave Lieberman was the Veterans Affairs chairmanship. Now, that is possible, but it also seems at this point that other low-profile committees are more likely.

Now, the Lieberman aide I spoke to said that Lieberman told Reid that that was "not acceptable," and that Lieberman thinks he should remain chairman of the Homeland Security Committee because he actually helped write the legislation that created the Homeland Security Department.

And get this, Soledad. Things have gotten so tense, that sources tell us Lieberman, the former Democratic vice presidential nominee, is in discussions with the Republican Senate leader about caucusing with them.

And actually, just moments ago our John King sat down with the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, and asked him about the pressure on him to punish Lieberman and his own feelings about this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV), MAJORITY LEADER: Joe Lieberman has done something that I think was improper, wrong, and I'd like -- if we weren't on television, I'd use a stronger word of describing what he did. But Joe Lieberman votes with me a lot more than a lot of my senators. He didn't support us on military stuff and he didn't support us on Iraq stuff. But you look at his record, it's pretty good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: You can see the pressure and how torn Harry Reid is there about what to do about Lieberman. But he also did say, Soledad, that the decision on whether to really punish Lieberman and how far to grow is up to the Democratic Caucus, and they're going to meet next week.



O'BRIEN: We learned today that the Senate majority leader, Reid, talked to John McCain as well. Those are two people who I think it's fair to say hate each other.
BASH: I think that's pretty fair to say. They did speak. In fact, Reid told our John King in this interview which is going to air on "LATE EDITION" on Sunday that he called McCain today, and the two did agree to work together in the Senate.
And as you said, this really is a big deal. Because to say they don't like each other is definitely an understatement.

You know, they came to the House together in 1983, so they've known each other for 25 years. And remember, Reid was incredibly vocal during the campaign about how he did not think that McCain had the temperament to be president -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: All right. Dana Bash for us this afternoon.

Thanks, Dana. Appreciate it.

For additional coverage of this story, visit the CNN Political Ticker:
Lieberman not happy with Reid's offer, flirting with Republicans

(Credit: CNN’s “Late Edition”)

Here is the video clip from today's The Situation Room:

Weekend Specials Look Ahead to Obama Presidency, GOP Plans

CNN special programming over the weekend will examine President-elect Barack Obama’s transition into office as well as President George W. Bush’s final days in the White House.

After Party: Where We Go From Here kicks off the weekend specials on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. (ET) with hosts CNN political contributors Stephen Hayes and Hilary Rosen. For the hour, key conservative and liberal observers will discuss how Obama will govern, his first priorities in office and Republican Party rebuilding efforts.

For Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will appear on the program with CNN chief national correspondent John King as guest host. Schwarzenegger will discuss his reform agenda and the future of the Republican Party, while Reid will focus on the Obama presidency, the expanded Democratic majority in Congress and Sen. John McCain’s return to the Senate. King will also be joined by seasoned Washington observers and power players, as well as members of the Best Political Team on Television. Late Edition airs on Sunday, Nov. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ET).

Photo credit: E.M. Pio Roda/CNN

At 8 p.m. on Sunday, John King will host a one-hour special, Transition to Power, focused on Obama’s presidential agenda and what to expect in Washington when he assumes office.

All content, unless otherwise cited, is © All Things CNN and may not be used without consent of the blog administrator.

Ratings At A Glance

Ratings for the week OCTOBER 6, 2008 - OCTOBER 10, 2008

	8PM^Adults 25-54 FOX 899,500 1 CNN 636,000 MSNBC 720,200 HLN 436,800
	9PM^Adults 25-54 FOX 900,000 1 CNN 720,500 1 MSNBC 675,750 1 HLN 199,600
	10PM^Adults 25-54 FOX 1,103,200 CNN 1,395,200 MSNBC 494,250 1 HLN 267,400

Another odd week for the cable news ratings. FOX was on top in the Adults 25 - 54 demographic during the 8PM and 9PM hours. MSNBC took second place during the 8PM. While CNN was in second place for the week during the 9PM hour.

During the 10PM, CNN comes out on top for the week with FOX following close behind. Both CNN & FOX reported their 10PM post debate analysis as regular programming on Tuesday.

Tuesday was the second Presidential Debate of the 2008 Election. The debate had more viewers than the first debate between these two candidates, but not as many people as the VP Debate. In the Adults 25 - 54 demographic CNN came out on top during the 9PM hour with 4,371,000 viewers. FOX followed behind with 2,997,000 viewers. MSNBC had 1,544,000 viewers. CNN also had the most total viewers among the cable news networks with 9.2 million viewers. 47% of the viewers watching the debate on CNN were within the demographic. That's higher than MSNBC (41%) or FOX (34%).

¹ 4 day average. Tuesday Presidential Debate coverage excluded. 9PM hour on FOX, CNN, & MSNBC. 8PM hour on FOX. 10PM hour on MSNBC.

^{^} Courtesy Nielsen Media Research; Demographics where noted; Live + Same Day (LS) Fast Track Nationals.

One quick clip tonight. Wolf Blitzer had Campbell Brown on Late Edition this past weekend to explain some of the remarks that she had made on Campbell Brown Election Center about the Presidential campaign.

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