While I think the wholesale release of raw grand jury evidence, worst stuff for the President first, is most unfair, here is what I think will be the actually effect.
It will tend to throw some more newspaper editorial pages over the edge and demanding resignation or impeachment.
It will only affect the public's view a little bit, if at all. And it will also absolutely inoculate the public against any further erosion of support after the current info has sunk in as much as its going to, say by the end of next week. Because the worst will be out. And further retelling of the worst will not impress.
I think there will be a widespread view that there's nothing new here. We know the relevant outlines of this already. And the public will refuse to have its face rubbed in the dirt about it. Go away, will be the mood.
The one wildcard is that video tape. People will be unable to avoid the evening news excerpts from that, at least. The media will as always be drawn to the most sensational moments, at least if they are moments such as great anger, rather than really explicit sexual detail. While there is also some media ideal of balance, neither the limitations of time, nor the imperatives of ratings will push the press towards running the long minutes of relentless, needling, intrusive and demeaning questioning, say. The TV media may mention it, and show a very brief example, but it will not convey the emotional impact. A furious outburst will be very emotionally powerful, however. And frequently replayed.
That is the inherent danger, and unfairness, of this video grand jury testimony release.
Very few people are going to sit through 4 hours of testimony, even though it may be broadcast on some channels.
Doug |
