See what a little drama can do?

Well, the folks at CNN have to be happy campers this morning. They're reporting that more than 4 million people tuned into last night's Democratic debate from Las Vegas -- which they say is a record for a primary debate aired on cable. Previous debates this season have been in the 1.7 million to 2.4 million range.

Now maybe a few of those viewers saw the "Vegas" part of the pre-debate ads and thought they were tuning into a "CSI" episode, but we doubt it (there won't be any new ones for awhile, anyway). The better theory: The lead up to the debate portrayed it as a potential pivotal moment in the campaign. Would Hillary Clinton regain her footing? Would "the boys" move in for the kill?

One poll we'd like to see, and the technology is out there, is a real-time survey of viewers measuring their real-time reactions. Did Barack Obama really blow it? Was John Edwards being too harsh? Was Bill Richardson too cute with his "Well, by the way, I'm Bill Richardson. I'm Governor of New Mexico" line?

But remember, all numbers are relative. Sure, 4 million viewers sounds like a lot. But "CSI" routinely draws more than 20 million viewers. And in 2004, 126 million people voted in the presidential election.

So look at is this way. Four million is a lot when it comes with your winning lottery ticket, not so much when you're counting TV viewers. But it's better than not getting 4 million viewers.... You know, that sounds an awful lot like a debate answer, doesn't it?

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Jade7243]

CNN may be "pleased as punch" with their debate, but as a viewer, I'm mad as hell. That was the singularly most fatuous, self-promoting, Clinton-promoting, made-for-tv event EVER!

Wolf Blitzer and the rest of the CNN team should be ashamed of themselves for purporting to host a "debate." If the pandering to and shilling for Hillary Clinton was any more obvious, the group would have been carrying Hillary placards and wearing "asbestos pantsuits."

Shame on all of them.

[Erald]

What's with some of the contempt towards CNN? This happens all the time: there's always some campaign that's not happy with the hosts (last time it was HIllary getting angry at MSNBC). Deal with it. Ultimately, it's the responsibility of the candidates to set each other straight - CNN is not running for the White House. When it was all said and done yesterday, Hillary walked away as the decisive victor, neutering Obama and Edwards right at the start and setting the tone for the rest of the debate. Biden also did well.