Caucus Coverage: Media Helps Cement Kerry's Lead
The cablers reported on the caucuses to varying degrees tonight. Wolf Blitzer presented short updates between 5 and 8pm, and anchored an hour-long special. Judy Woodruff said that the caucus wins tonight "add to the air of inevitably that is around Kerry's candidacy." FOX inserted the details into previously-scheduled shows. "Looks like it's clearing out the field," John Kasich remarked on 'Heartland.' "It's gonna start heating up, and its gonna be a hot summer and a hot fall." Chris Matthews played Hardball for two hours on MSNBC. From the MSNBC MSN group: "Coverage is very good. The entire panel is there, which is very good on any night, especially a Saturday night." 9:37:20 PM

Slate Calls Dennis Miller "Blinded by the right"
Slate doesn't offer the most positive assessment of Dennis Miller's move to the right-wing. "For a comedian who used to unleash mighty comic riffs like a jazz soloist, Miller is now just another member of the pundit's chorus," they write... 9:32:26 PM

CNN's "Cable Access Technical Glitches"
A poster on TVHeads says that "CNN is too easy to criticize these days." Quoting: "Heck, I was merely flipping through the channels last night admiring Paula Zahn's beauty and they totally lost the feed with David Gergen. They didn't get him back for the last few minutes of the show. Earlier on Friday, Hemmer went to Mrs. Candiotti while the Carlie news was breaking, and Candiotti's audio went completely dead for about 45 seconds." 8:04:10 PM

Geraldo Gets His Get: Jackson Phone Interview
"FOX News Exclusive: Geraldo talks to Michael Jackson on the phone," the banner read at 7:45pm. Rivera said that Jackson sounded "tired and deeply depressed." His new spokesperson participated in the phone interview too; "she hooked me up" with Jackson, Rivera said. "Jackson made clear that his current situation is taking a toll on him" mentally and physically, Rivera reported. I guess all that cheering for Jackson on "At Large" paid off... 7:49:42 PM

Cablers Vary In Caucus Coverage Today
It's a caucus day. On CNN, a "special edition" of the Capital Gang will air at 7pm, then Wolf Blitzer will anchor a "special report" from 8 to 9. On MSNBC, Chris Matthews will host live Hardball from 7 to 9. FOX is sticking with its usual weekend slate... 3:24:03 PM

Free Slice of Pie for Scott Peterson Trial Reporters
Another Peterson trial story from the San Mateo County Times: Local businesses welcome the media: "In one of the more unique offers, Baker's Square in Redwood City is offering anyone with a media pass a free piece of pie. The restaurant has a big red sign with balloons attached outside its business advertising the deal. So far, only CNN officials, who have been there three times, have taken them up on their offer, said manager Tim World. "Some people just can't turn down our French Silk pie," he said." Dan, you hungry?... 3:23:29 PM

FOX Is Not Modest
Another example of what makes FOX different from CNN and MSNBC: Tony Snow read some viewer e-mails at the end of Weekend Live today. "You are looking hot today!," one viewer wrote, noting that they were saying that with their palms face up -- I didn't get the exact quote. "Whoa," Snow replied. Imagine a CNN anchor reading that e-mail?... 3:22:46 PM

An Average Moron "Out Here In Average USA" Writes In
Bill writes in to respond to Geneva Evenholser's resignation: "Her remarks that Fox & Brit Hume are "Not Fair and Balanced" is pure rubbish. If Fox and Brit Hume were so far off base, they would not enjoy the popularity that the public has afforded them. We "average" morons out here in "average" USA are not as susceptible to her way of thinking as she would like us to be." 3:22:30 PM

! Quote of the day
An amazing piece in the WashPost this morning: "For those of a certain age, a few words of reference trigger each picture, ever enduring in impact and detail...But more contemporary video doesn't seem to have the same shelf life, no matter how momentous or tragic the underlying events. For this we can mainly thank the 24-hour news cycle and the coldblooded voraciousness of cable news broadcasting. These channels are ostensibly designed to keep us all informed, but the engine doesn't run on information; it runs on lurid images of sex, violence, celebrity and crime. These channels are titillation machines, and we know the nature of titillation. It wears out." Read it all, twice... 11:26:16 AM

Why Does CNN Need 27 Credentials for the Scott Peterson Trial?
The Scott Peterson media blitz, by the # of credentials:
CNN: 27 credentials
NBC: 24 credentials
FOX: 8 credentials
CNN has "brought a satellite truck to the County Government Center that wouldn't look out of place on the streets of Baghdad." The San Mateo County Times has more... 11:22:36 AM

Fickle Media Dooms Campaigns?
Saturday's NYTimes examines how "Dean's campaign is latest to learn about fickle press." Quoting Mandy Grunwald: "It's devastating," she said. "Once they pull your reporters and your cameras, you're done, it becomes self-fulfilling. They're saying you're not a choice." 2:15:21 AM