It's still TV that really matters in elections

MARY DEJEVSKY SYNDICATED COLUMNIST Upwards of 50 million Americans were expected to watch the encounter between John McCain and Barack Obama Tuesday in the second of three presidential debates. Last Thursday a record 70 million saw Sarah Palin fail to disgrace herself in the obligatory running mates match. And in homes, halls and bars across America, how did people watch this crucial rite of presidential passage? On television. These debates are almost the only times -- other than the Super Bowl -- that so many Americans can be found doing exactly the same thing at the same time, sharing an experience they will mull over the following day. I make this point because, ever since the Internet took off as a tool of -- well, let's be generous -- universal communication, I have heard countless politicians and pundits insist, at... [read full story]