LIZ PEEK:
“…First, the forum allows Trump to speak directly to Americans, unfiltered by the left-wing media. Just as the president has relied on social media over the past few years to circumvent the mainstream press and reach out to voters directly, he can now do that via the crisis updates.
That’s not to say that his appearances are flawless; far from it. They contain far too many instances of Trump tooting his own horn, and also show him sometimes waffling on important issues, such as whether or not to quarantine New York City.
But for all the flaws, the public sees a man unquestionably engaged and energized, relentless in his push for solutions…
…The second problem for Democrats it that the briefings are pumping up Trump’s approval ratings. The boost is coming, reports the New York Times, from a “surprising” source – namely, independents and even some Democrats, many of whom did not formerly support the president. The briefings are apparently a revelation to those voters…
…Third, the briefings on the coronavirus have relegated Democrats’ favorite agenda items to the back page. Clearly, this pandemic is the story of the day, whether or not the president addresses the nation each afternoon. But having a daily one or two-hour session about therapies and equipment deliveries soaks up a lot of the evening news cycle.
That leaves little time to celebrate Greta Thunberg’s latest conquests or the struggles of transgender people, topics that tend to dominate liberal talk shows and newspapers…
…The former vice president’s disappearing act is the fourth reason that Democrats want networks to stop airing the daily briefings. Not only does President Trump occupy center stage, they highlight that Biden occupies no stage at all. Moreover, it is impossible to imagine Biden forcefully commanding the instruments of government; he can barely manage his basement teleprompter.
Finally, liberals want to shut down the president’s TV exposure because the information given out during those briefings is important, like how low-income Americans can access expanded SNAP benefits or how small business owners can apply for a loan to tide them over these tough times…”