Oh that Magic Wall

(screencap courtesy of Book Asylum)

So who is the star player on the Best Political Team on television: Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Candy Crowley or John King? I enjoy all of the above but for me, the star is CNN's new toy, the Magic Wall. (okay, that was a trick question, sorry!)

Much has been written about Perceptive Pixel's Magic Wall so I thought I'd give you a little peak at this new technology and how CNN came to acquire the cool analysis tool. According to BroadcastEngineering.com, David Bohrman, CNN senior VP and Washington, D.C., bureau chief saw a demo of the wall at a trade show back in 2006.

Initially, Bohrman intended to wait until November to integrate the Magic Wall into CNN’s election night coverage. However, it was too good to wait, he said. The Perceptive Pixel technology shipped to CNN in New York last week, and programmers from the company customized the system’s software for last night’s coverage over the three days leading up to the Iowa caucus. “They’ve taken our elements and palettes and incorporated them into their graphic system to match our look,” Bohrman said.

“It has enormous capabilities,” he said. “We will be using it a lot over the next year.”

And boy have they been getting their money's worth. The Magic Wall has been used during CNN's extensive caucus and primary coverage. I think it adds an interesting element to their political analysis. I really like how John King or Jeff Toobin can break down votes county by county in any given state.

Paul Farhi also writes about the Magic Wall in today's Washington Post. The creator of the wall, Jeff Han admits that news wasn't his first market for this technology. But to any viewer, it's an obvious fit.

So what does CNN do with the technology after the election season is a distant memory? Stay tuned, I'm sure the creative minds at CNN will come up with wonderful ways to enhance our viewing pleasure!


Super Tuesday Coverage Plans

With CNN's newest political analysis tool in mind, here is today's press release regarding coverage plans for Super Tuesday. Click on the title for full text.

CNN’s Political Team Canvasses Nation for Super Tuesday

Unprecedented 40-Hour Marathon of Coverage Features Live ‘America Votes 2008’ Panel, Hi-Tech Election Results

The 40-hour marathon of coverage begins at 6 a.m. with a politics-focused American Morning. Kiran Chetry anchors from a location in Harlem, while John Roberts anchors from Tennessee.

At noon, CNN and Time magazine combine the expertise of their top political correspondents in front of a live studio audience for “CNN-Time America Votes 2008.” Anchored by Campbell Brown, the program will feature CNN’s Emmy Award-winning political lineup as well as top members of Time’s political team as they examine the presidential candidates and the issues facing 2008 voters as they head to the polls. Three panels, focusing on Democratic, Republican and independent candidates and issues, will be moderated by Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper and Lou Dobbs.

CNN’s special prime-time programming will begin at 7 p.m. —following wall-to-wall politics on The Situation Room—and run late into the night. Blitzer, along with Cooper, Dobbs and John King, will guide the coverage from the CNN Election Center in New York. Throughout the coverage, CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien and senior political analyst Bill Schneider will review exit poll data. CNN International will simulcast the coverage.

The coverage will lead into a special edition of Larry King Live at midnight hosted by Larry King and featuring analysis and insight into the election results. Live political programming will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 6 with American Morning 6 a.m. As the dust settles, CNN’s correspondents, analysts and top-flight guests will talk about what the results mean for the presidential contenders. The continuous coverage will continue throughout the day and conclude with Anderson Cooper 360°.

...CNN’s Emmy Award-winning political team will be covering all aspects of the campaign trail throughout the weekend and on Super Tuesday from Arizona to Illinois and from California to New York and Massachusetts. Dana Bash and Mary Snow will be covering the Republican candidates, and Candy Crowley and Suzanne Malveaux will be reporting on the Democrats. Also providing reports will be CNN correspondents Jim Acosta, Tom Foreman, Joe Johns, Chris Lawrence, Dan Lothian and Jessica Yellin; Gloria Borger; senior political analyst; Jack Cafferty, commentator; David Gergen, senior political analyst; Bill Schneider, senior political analyst; and Jeff Toobin, legal analyst; and CNN’s nationally known contributors Bill Bennett, Carl Bernstein, Donna Brazile, Amy Holmes and Roland Martin.

I hope you enjoy today's extended coverage. And if you live in a Super Tuesday state, please remember to get out and vote! This is one of the most important elections seasons of our time. But like the New York Lottery motto says, "You gotta be in it to win it!"

Have a great Super Tuesday! I'll see you next week. ~Sheryn

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

CNN Campaign Coverage Notes

CNN issued a press release regarding their campaign coverage up to and including Super Tuesday.

With more viewers turning to CNN for their primary election night and debate coverage than any other cable news network, CNN will offer marathon political programming leading up to Super Tuesday, the most important primary day in of the 2008 election.

Coverage will kick off on Saturday, Jan. 26, with a four-hour installment of “Ballot Bowl,” uninterrupted coverage of Democratic and Republican candidates’ significant live and recent events, leading up to the network’s coverage of the Democratic primary in South Carolina. Extended political programming continues through Monday, Jan. 28, with President George W. Bush’s final State of the Union address and through Super Tuesday on Feb. 5 with a 40-hour marathon of continuous live political coverage.

Building on the enormous success of CNN’s presidential primary debates, CNN, the Los Angeles Times and POLITICO will hold two back-to-back presidential primary debates, the final face-off before more than 20 states flock to the polls for Super Tuesday. The Republican debate will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., and the Democratic debate will take place on Thursday, Jan. 31, at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.Anchor Anderson Cooper will moderate the Republican candidates’ debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Jim VandeHei, executive editor of the POLITICO, and Janet Hook, senior political correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, will serve as panelists questioning the candidates. CNN’s lead political anchor Wolf Blitzer will moderate the Democratic candidates’ debate at the Kodak Theater the following night. Panelists will include Doyle McManus, Washington bureau chief of the Los Angeles Times, and Jeanne Cummings, a senior correspondent for the POLITICO. Each debate will run approximately 2 hours beginning at 8 p.m. (ET).

Larry King will host a one-hour special “The Reagan I Knew” on Wednesday, Jan. 30. Following the Jan. 31 Democratic debate at 11 p.m., senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta will present the documentary Broken Government: Health Care Critical Condition.
CNN’s Super Tuesday programming will be announced soon; programming until that date includes:

Saturday, Jan. 26

2 p.m.-6 p.m. Ballot Bowl

6 p.m.-10 p.m. Special South Carolina primary edition of CNN Election Center live from the CNN Election Center in New York

Monday, Jan. 28

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts live on Capitol Hill

4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer live from the CNN Election Center in New York

7 p.m.-8 p.m Pre-State of the Union edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight

8 p.m.-9 p.m Special State of the Union edition of CNN Election Center

9 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Live coverage of the State of the Union address with analysis coverage anchored by Blitzer

10:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Anderson Cooper anchors a special edition of Anderson Cooper 360°

Tuesday, Jan. 29

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts live from Florida

8 p.m.-12 a.m. Live special coverage of the Florida primaries. Blitzer anchors from the CNN Election Center in New York. Cooper joins live from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

12 a.m.-1 a.m. Special live edition of Larry King Live

Wednesday, Jan. 30

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts live on location at the Reagan Library

4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Situation Room live at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles

7 p.m.-8 p.m Pre-debate edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight8 p.m.-10 p.m. CNN/Los Angeles Times/POLITICO Republican Candidates Debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

10 p.m.-11 p.m. Anderson Cooper 360º with Cooper live on location at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

11 p.m.-12 a.m. Larry King special, “The Reagan I Knew” (debut)

12 a.m.-1:30 a.m. CNN/Los Angeles Times/POLITICO Republican Candidates Debate – Encore Presentation

Thursday, Jan. 31

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts live on location at the Kodak Theater

4 p.m.-7 p.m. The Situation Room live on location at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles

7 p.m.-8 p.m Pre-debate edition of Lou Dobbs Tonight8 p.m.-10 p.m. CNN/Los Angeles Times/POLITICO Democratic Candidates Debate

10 p.m.-11 p.m. Special post-debate edition of Anderson Cooper 360º

11 p.m.-12 a.m. Broken Government: Health Care Critical Condition with Dr. Sanjay Gupta (debut)

12 a.m. -1:30 a.m.CNN/Los Angeles Times/POLITICO Democratic Candidates Debate – Encore Presentation

Friday, Feb. 1

6 a.m.-9 a.m. American Morning with John Roberts live on location at the Kodak Theater
CNN’s Emmy Award-winning political team will be covering all aspects of the campaign trail. Dana Bash, John King and Mary Snow will be covering the Republican candidates, and Candy Crowley, Suzanne Malveaux and Jessica Yellin will be reporting on the Democrats. Also providing reports will be CNN correspondents Jim Acosta, Tom Foreman, Joe Johns, Chris Lawrence and Dan Lothian; Gloria Borger; senior political analyst; Jack Cafferty, commentator; David Gergen, senior political analyst; Bill Schneider, senior political analyst; and Jeff Toobin, legal analyst; and CNN’s nationally known contributors Bill Bennett, Carl Bernstein, Donna Brazile, Amy Holmes and Roland Martin.

CNN International and CNN en Español will simulcast both debates. Anchor and correspondent Richard Quest will report live from Los Angeles as part of his “American Quest” tour.
Headline News will re-air the Republican debate on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to noon (ET) and the Democratic debate on Friday, Feb. 1, from 10 a.m. to noon. (ET).

Up-to-the minute reporting and analysis will be available at CNNPolitics.com, the CNN Political Ticker at www.CNN.com/ticker and at CNN.com Live, accessible at www.CNN.com/Live. CNN.com Live will provide extended coverage with anchors Reggie Aqui, Naamua Delaney, Nicole Lapin and Melissa Long co-anchoring from the Election Center in New York and from the CNN.com Live studio in Atlanta.

Through Super Tuesday, CNN Radio will provide live coverage anchored by Lisa Desjardins, Jim Roope and Dick Uliano. CNN Newsource will provide its affiliates access to live reports on-site from “RunningMate” exclusive correspondent Samantha Hayes.

In addition, the CNN Election Express – a state-of-the-art mobile news bureau – will be part of CNN’s unmatched coverage as it makes its way across the country, arriving in Los Angeles before the debates and remaining in California through Super Tuesday.

Each month in 2008, CNN Student News will be “Talking Democracy” by introducing an election-year topic in the show and online. From caucus to convention and primary to poll, CNN Student News will break down these election-year concepts. Teachers, parents and students can find the CNN Student News program and its curriculum materials online at www.CNNStudentNews.com and on Headline News from Monday through Friday at 4 a.m. (ET)

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

OT Politics

A couple of months back, I posted about politics over at ATA. I wanted to repost it here and see what every one's opinion was.

*Photo from Matthew Rond for CNN© 2007. A Time Warner Company. All rights reserved*

Sometimes it's easy to just look at someone and hear them talking and think, "I like him" or "she's horrible". But do we all really know what the candidates believe? Do we know what they stand for? More of us should probably vote based on that not just about liking someone because he or she seems good or bad. I admit I'm guilty of doing it. I was a pretty big fan of Obama until I started looking into what he would do regarding several serious issues this country is facing. I watched all the democratic debates and my mind really changed. Even though I do like him and think that one day he might make a good candidate I had to question if he's ready. That's just an example of what I mean.

So, here's some help to see who everyone might want to vote for in their state primary. And please do! If you are eligible, I hope everyone votes in not only the election, but in their primary which are coming up at the beginning of '08.

Here's a great chart to help you see where the candidates stand on important issues:

Click on the chart to enlarge

-To read a bit more on what each candidates thinks on social issues and to read a profile of each, you can click here.

-Take a quiz to match you up with a candidate who thinks like you..... Click here. And here's another one.

I thought I'd put up a poll to see how our readers are feeling about the election and the candidates.(NOTE: All references to "Thompson" relate to Fred Thompson, not Tommy Thompson who has taken himself out of the race.)

Is the campaign going on too long this time?
	Yes, waaaay too long!
	Yes, it's a bit much
	No, it's just the right amount of time
	No, I wish it was longer
	I don't care about the election
pollcode.com free polls

What changes should be made to the current election process?
	The candidates should have less time to campaign
	All candidates should have the same amount of money to campaign
	Limit the number of candidates that can run
	Raise the age limit for running
	Other
	None of the above
	All of the above
pollcode.com free polls

Who will be the Democratic nominee
	Edwards
	Clinton
	Obama
	Richardson
	Dodd
	Gravel
	Biden
	Kucinich
	Other
pollcode.com free polls

Who will be the Republican nominee?
	Thompson
	McCain
	Giuliani
	Brownback
	Huckabee
	Hunter
	Romney
	Paul
	Other
pollcode.com free polls

If the election were tomorrow who would you vote for?
	Thompson
	Giuliani
	Clinton
	Obama
	Edwards
	Richardson
	McCain
	Biden
	Romney
	Other
pollcode.com free polls

*The YouTube Republican debate has been rescheduled for Wed. Nov 28th in St. Petersburg, Florida. According to the New York Times:

"It looks as if the Republican presidential candidates, at least most of them, will be participating in a YouTube debate after all. The forum is now set for Nov. 28, the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.

The campaigns of Rudolph W. Giuliani and Senator John McCain have signed on, according to CNN, which will broadcast the event. CNN said it had not heard from Mitt Romney, who has been critical of the format, in which the public poses questions via video sent to YouTube. Mr. Romney’s spokesman could not be reached last night."

To read the whole article click HERE.

Have a great week!