Political Infomercials

Last night was Obama's much touted "infomercial" to make his "closing argument" in the campaign. The campaign bought time on all the networks and broadcast it simultaneously. Probably a good PR move by Obama, but one he shouldn't have had to make.

In the final days before the election, networks should be offering both candidates these platforms, rather than selling them. This is unquestionably in the public interest. Furthermore, Obama's infomercial managed to squeeze past the self-appointed middlemen, the commentators and hosts. These people are paid simply to interrupt - whether it's a "debate" show where they're all talking over each other or while a political speech is airing and they're making remarks as if they were sports casters, all they do is interrupt. The candidates both should have gotten 30 minutes infomercials free and uninterrupted. That is the networks' responsibility to voters.