The television network MSNBC will change its name later this year as part of its corporate divorce from NBC. The new name will by My Source News Opinion World, or MS NOW for short. MSNBC, which will also removed NBC's peacock corporate logo from its insignia, has been building a separate news division from NBC News by hiring new reporters and executives in recent months. It has been known as MSNBC since its formation in 1996, as a partnership then between Microsoft and NBC. It runs second in cable news ratings to Fox News Channel with personalities like Rachel Maddow, Nicole Wallace and Ari Melber.
One thing has been missing from Kamala Harris' sudden rise as the Democratic choice for president against Donald Trump: contact with many reporters. She hasn't given an extended interview to a journalist since her change in status. Harris indicated that's about to change as Republicans have made it a campaign issue. But it indicates how journalists' role as gatekeepers in presidential campaigns has been diminishing. Experts say campaigns crave control, and interviews represent a way of giving that up. There are also many different ways that a candidate can reach potential voters that don't involve direct dealings with the press.
In the eyes of much of the media, Donald Trump failed to stick the landing with his acceptance speech at the Republican national convention. In a speech that lasted more than 90 minutes, Trump gave a somber and emotional recounting of the attempt on his life last weekend, then segued into an address that felt familiar to many who watch his political stump speeches. Vanity Fair said it "gave America whiplash." The attention of the political press now turns to who will oppose Trump.
A House Democratic lawmaker has become the first in the party to publicly call for President Joe Biden to step down as the Democratic nominee for president, citing Biden's debate performance against Donald Trump failing to "effectively defend his many accomplishments." Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas said Tuesday that Biden should "make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw." Doggett represents an Austin-based district and is serving his 15th term in Congress. Doggett is the first sitting lawmaker in the Democratic Party to publicly state what many have been privately whispering behind closed doors since last week's debate. Biden concedes the debate didn't go well but says he's ready to fight for another term.
