Jim Lehrer: The View From The Moderator's Chair: PBS NewsHour's Jim Lehrer has moderated 11 presidential and vice–presidential debates. Now he's written a book about the experience of being the person in the moderator's chair. Lehrer talks about the succ

In this book David Barsamian quotes Ben Bagdikian as saying that in 1983 there 50 corporations dominating the media. In 2000 there were six. We have an ever shrinking handful of interlocking massive conglomerates controlling media outlets which people ar

The U.S. embassy: What should we do with it? (Anonymous - Associated Press) As you ready those clever and insightful entries for the latest Loop contest — in which we’ve challenged readers to help figure out what the United States should do with our mass

INDIAN WELLS — New York Times columnist David Brooks pines for an America that transcends the smallness of its two warring tribes: Democrat and Republican. He acknowledges he'll probably have to wait a while. The political theater in this country is only

By: Jason Kane and Saskia Chanoine John Cassidy, who holds Guinness World Records for several balloon-related tricks, performs a balloon act for First Lady Michelle Obama in the Diplomatic Reception Room. White House photo by Chuck Kennedy. Michelle Obam

tool goes here Journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault, who drew on a deep personal well of courage to integrate the University of Georgia in 1961, says young people today need to realize political and social change is not achieved at Twitter pace but through

Jim Lehrer of PBS’ “NewsHour,” who has moderated 11 presidential debates, had a terse response Thursday to Republican candidate Newt Gingrich’s proposal to ban working journalists from this fall’s face-offs. Lehrer explained that skills are required, alo

Blitzer before a GOP debate in Jacksonville, Fla. , on Jan. 26, 2012. (CNN) Wolf Blitzer, anchor of CNN's political coverage and host of "The Situation Room," is sitting in the network's Election Center in Atlanta, awaiting results of Tuesday's Florida Re

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Newt Gingrich’s lackluster performance last night undermines his specious claim to be the best debater to go up against President Obama. This morning he complained that the audience was silenced , vowing not to let that happen again. I suppose he’ll also

By: Christina Bellantoni and Terence Burlij From left, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Texas Rep. Ron Paul at Thursday's GOP debate in South Carolina. Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images. Thursday's Republican presidential debate in C

When President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union speech in the House chamber, it most likely won’t be among the more memorable addresses of his administration. Or the year. Or even the month. Presidential historian Richard Norton Smith argues

Newt Gingrich, who has made deriding moderators for “gotcha” questions a staple of his debate performances, erupted on Thursday night in a raging indictment of the news media. In response to a question from the CNN debate moderator, John King, about whet

For most Americans, Fox News is both the most — and least — trusted television news source. According to the third annual Public Policy Polling (PPP) TV News Trust Poll, 34 percent of respondents trust Fox more than ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Comedy Centra

Jim Lehrer is the avuncular, even-keeled executive editor and anchor of “PBS NewsHour” who has moderated 11 of the nationally televised presidential and vice-presidential debates. As a journalist and as a moderator, Mr. Lehrer tells us he attempts to pla

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Today's show is a best-of, so we won't be taking any calls. But the comments page is always open! Brian Lehrer hosts the hosts, featuring interviews with Christiane Amanpour , Larry King , Tom Brokaw , and Jim Lehrer (no relation). First, a look back at

Here's why: Soloman wrote it up for Common Dreams: When I picked up a ringing phone Monday morning, the next thing I knew a producer was inviting me to appear on Glenn Beck's TV show. Beck has become a national phenom with his nightly hour of polemics on

JEFFREY BROWN: And finally tonight, the extraordinary life of Vaclav Havel, writer, dissident and president. Judy Woodruff has our remembrance. JUDY WOODRUFF: Thousands of Czechs braved the freezing cold in Prague today to pay their respects to former Pr