Capitol Journal
Capitol Journal
WETA "CAPITOL JOURNAL" IN 10.14.49 Rough footage of a Republican-sponsored panel on Congress and the Budget Process. Former Congressman Robert Giaimo discusses the budget process. Former Rep. Richard Bolling says that there needs to be a balance between reorganizing Congress and revamping the budget process. Says that macroeconomic looks at the budget are sacrificed to politics in some cases. 10.17.48-Economist discusses the balancing of imperatives that Congress must do in the budget. Policy Scholar Alan Schick discusses the disfunction in the relationship between President and Congress. An audience member asks whether the panel has ideas about how partisan politics figure into the process. BOLLING says that politics is the chief reason why the House budget committee doesn't do as well to make a budget as the Senate committee does. Another panelist addresses the role of politics, says that the purpose of the budget process is to prevent politics from creating gridlock in the government. 10.25.44-Another audience member poses a question, says that "politics" shouldn't be a dirty word, it's just democracy in action. Rep. BARBER CONABLE (R-NY) discusses the subject of politics in the budget [not on camera], says the budget is a statement of the priorities of each party, and it shouldn't be banished from the budget process. 10.30.25-an economist on panel discusses the politics of making a budget. GIAIMO discusses the issue. 10.33.25-OUT 10.38.28-Return to Rep. GIAIMO concluding, Schick closes the panel. **TIME CODE JUMPS** 10.50.46-Second panel discussion introduced, on relations of Congress and the Press. Moderator Paul Duke of PBS, discusses his experience covering the Congress, says that gripes between Congress and the Press are a two-way street. Discusses Congress' role as the national whipping boy and most despised branch of the government. DUKE introduces the panelists, Cokie Roberts, NEWT GINGRICH, Rep. CHARLES ROSE (D-NC), Journalist Charles Gibson, and an American Enterprise Institute scholar. 10.56.35-Roberts starts the discussion, says covering the Congress is great, but one is never sure how much play the story will get. Access is easy, and Congressmen are always [over]eager to get on camera. Coverage of Congress can therefore be more informed and more balanced than coverage of the Presidency or the Pentagon. Biggest changes in covering the Congress is television, altering the course of business in Congress to lead to more "media events", exposure on TV a boon to protecting incumbents in Congress. 11.01.35-NEWT GINGRICH speaks, says that the complexity of the legislative process is not adequately addressed in the media. Discusses the history of satirizing elected officials and the conflict between the expectations the public has of their leaders and the human failings of those leaders. Notes the 20th century phenomenon of the powerful presidency overshadowing Congress in the media. 11.06.07-Rep. CHARLIE ROSE comments on the media, compares the coverage of Washington-area sports to the coverage of Congress in the news media, exacerbated by REAGAN'S aggressive manipulation of TV and radio. Discusses the decision to put TV cameras in the House chamber. Jokes that the Senate will be much more boring when it finally goes on TV. Argues that Congress needs to create its own media exposure. 11.11.55-Charles Gibson discusses network news coverage of Congress. Says that the impact of profit imperatives in the news media is great. Gibson, evidently not remembering his Adorno, seems to assert that the networks can't contradict the "will" of "the people" or "the consumer" by offering in-depth or intelligent coverage. Says that stories about Congress don't hold the audience. Discussion of the flaws of the commercial media to explain complex ideas, which favors coverage of an "elected king" like Reagan. 11.19.17-Mike Robinson of American Enterprise Institute speaks, discusses certain myths about the news media. Says that REAGAN doesn't get better treatment from the press than other TV era presidents did [in terms of time], and that the media doesn't have a "liberal bias". Discusses the complaint of the House leadership that the media cover "whackos" and mavericks most often and make the job of party leaders more difficult. Discusses the media's tendency to gravitate toward spectacle, i.e. "pornographic rock lyrics" hearing. Denies that the media impedes Congress in its work. 11.24.56-Duke turns discussion toward the dynamics of coverage of House and Senate. Gibson discusses the issue, says that the House is an important subject of coverage now because it opposes the Reagan Senate. Discusses the problems of covering Congress on TV. ROBERTS says that the Senate was led to adopt TV coverage out of fear that the House was becoming more important. Discussion of the need for members of Congress to "use" TV well. Rep. Rose discusses the fear of Congress becoming a platform for grandstanding on TV.