CNN's marathon coverage of the Iowa caucuses ran several hours overtime than initially planned, and here's why. In a nutshell, the margin of victory is one of the closest ever for a GOP presidential contest.
As CNN's coverage, simulcast worldwide on CNN International, ploughed well into the early hours of Wednesday, you could be forgiven - at certain points of the broadcast - for wondering whether you were actually watching CNN or a very slick Saturday Night Live parody. For those who may have bailed on CNN's coverage before midnight, here's a quick recap of what you missed...
Forget the flashy graphics, revamped magic wall, redecorated Studio 7, virtual Weebles and every other gimmick CNN threw at its Iowa caucuses coverage Tuesday, it was two GOP officials who appeared to steal the show... and possibly handed CNN the opportunity to be the first network to reveal the reasons behind the confusion that led to the delayed results announcement.
As we were left with the final result hanging in the balance, Wolf Blitzer and John King tried to get to the bottom of the missing caucus information from Clinton County, Iowa, by talking to Edith Pfeffer, Chair of the Clinton County Republican Party, and Carolyn Tallet.
The live to air phone conference immediately spawned Twitter buzz with #Edith peaking at number two on the social network's trending section in the U.S. Video of the conversation is in the player below.
The phone conversation was one of several lighter moments during CNN's marathon 8 hour + coverage. As Mediaite's Frances Martel writes:
"As Erin Burnett tried to explain a pie chart showing the way voters had veered related to what they considered the most important issue, using her new Magic Wall move, “the flick.” The “flick” somehow did not get the pie chart onto the second screen as attempted until the third try, by which Burnett and Gloria Borger were cracking up.
Anderson Cooper seemed to sense that all was lost and asked, “have we all just given up?” to which Ali Velshi responded “it is evident from the social media screen that people are going to sleep.” For no apparent reason, this made Cooper explode in laughter. “Again with the social media screen? This is the third hit and I still don’t understand what the hell this thing shows!” Velshi then tried to explain– but not before telling Roland Martin to stop laughing. It didn’t really seem to stop him– or anyone else on the set– from laughing."
Watch video of the shenanigans listed above in Mediaite's video here.
The lighter moments of CNN's coverage post-midnight soon led to someone suggesting a new show: "CNN After Dark". CNN's anchors, pundits and producers soon got in on the act, with a new logo for the proposed show designed on the hop and displayed on the projection screens in Studio 7.
Chief Political Correspondent Candy Crowley was apparently reminded earlier in the night to use the network's #CNNElections hashtag in her tweets. Crowley tweeted:
The CNN superstar didn't seemed too concerned by the reminder, with subsequent tweets still published sans the hashtag.
While most of the memorable "Youtube moments" occurred post-midnight (eastern), it was hard to miss this little nugget at the start of Tuesday nights coverage. CNN unveiled a brand new ident that briefly points to the network's election coverage history. You can view the "CNN America's Choice" ident in the video below.
CNN eventually wrapped up coverage shortly after 3:30am (eastern) - the last of the cable networks to sign off by more than 30 minutes.
Early online reaction and related mentions of CNN's Iowa caucuses coverage:
CNN Press Release - Velshi to Launch Signature Segments on CNN/U.S. and Anchor CNN International's ‘World Business Today’
CNN Chief Business Correspondent Ali Velshi is adding new roles across CNN Worldwide. Beginning next month, Velshi will provide business reporting and analysis for CNN’s domestic channel, launching signature segments that will interpret and explain a top story of the day. In addition, in 2012, he becomes an anchor of CNN International’s World Business Today, a daily global business news program. Velshi also continues as host of Your Money on weekends on CNN/U.S.
In Velshi's new role for CNN/U.S., he will take a look at one of the top economic, global or political stories of the day and deconstruct and translate it for viewers. Drawing upon Ali’s global business news experience, this segment is geared towards breaking down for audiences some of the most complex issues of our time.
Velshi is anchoring one-hour of CNN International’s World Business Today, which is broadcast live to over 200 countries across the world.
“Ali’s global business expertise is an asset that we want to showcase more broadly across a range of CNN programs," said Ken Jautz, Executive Vice President, CNN/U.S. "He will help viewers understand and decode some of the most complex and important stories of the day, particularly economic and global issues.”
CNN International Executive Vice President and Managing Director Tony Maddox added, “With new economic superpowers emerging across different continents, Ali brings the right mix of curiosity and business news experience to play a prominent role in reporting these crucial stories to CNN Worldwide’s global audience.”
Trusted for his hallmark explanations of complicated issues during the financial crisis and during times of political and economic uncertainty, Velshi will expand his now familiar role as a decoder of political and economic issues and fact-checking across CNN’s U.S. and International programming. He has reported extensively on the global financial meltdown since 2008; the financial collapses of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, AIG and Lehman Brothers; the U.S. government’s bailout plan; the battle over the fate of the American big three automakers; and the U.S. debt ceiling and budget debate.
“I’m looking forward to the daily intellectual exercise of taking the most important and intricate issues, breaking them down and providing the context necessary to help the CNN viewer make the smartest decisions they can,” said Velshi.
Velshi’s in-depth reporting for CNN’s “How The Wheels Came Off” was honored with a National Headliner Award for Business & Consumer Reporting in 2010. He anchored CNN’s breaking news coverage of the attempted terror attack on a flight into Detroit, delivering CNN’s worldwide newsgathering for which the network was nominated for a 2010 Emmy. Velshi is the co-author of “How To Speak Money,” which releases on November 8, 2011; and author of “Gimme My Money Back,” which released in January 2009.
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
TVNewser has details of possible changes at CNN's American Morning, with Soledad O'Brien coming back to anchor the last 2 hours of AM and former Court TV and current ABC News freelancer Ashleigh Banfield joining to anchor 2 hours before Soledad. If this happens, where does this leave Ali Velshi? Will he had back to Atlanta to his spot on CNN Newsroom? Remember, CNN Newsroom is losing an hour when the new fall schedule debuts.
As noted earlier this week, Wake Up Call with Ali Velshi premieres on Monday. We now know the show will simulcast for 30 minutes on CNN International, Monday to Friday. The program will run for 60 minutes on CNN Domestic.
CNN International has amended its schedule slightly to accommodate the live simulcast from CNN Domestic. The new lineup for CNNI is as follows:
0800 GMT - World Business Today 0900 GMT - Wake Up Call with Ali Velshi 0930 GMT - Taped programming 1000 GMT - World One (replacing World Sport and taped programming)
In addition to retaining anchoring duties for World One, Zain Verjee will also provide international news updates for Wake Up Call. The program is also tipped to feature crosses to CNN International's Hong Kong bureau for finance updates as Asia's market day wraps up.
UPDATE: Wake Up Call will not air on the Asia-Pacific feed of CNN International, according to the latest schedule update from CNN. This is the second time in recent weeks where the Asian feeds of the network have split from network programming** to alter the schedule to better adapt to regional timezones. **The Asia feed doesn't take The Situation Room simulcast, airing an hour of World Report in its place.
TV Newser reports that Ali Velshi's new 5am show will launch next week.
Called “Wake up Call,” the show will run from 5-6 AM ET Monday-Friday starting June 27. CNN has committed to the program through September 23, 2011.
Meanwhile, Inside Cable News questions what CNN has planned for the slot post Velshi :
Maybe the ol’ tin foil needs replacing but I don’t think that date was chosen at random. It was chosen for a reason. But what’s the reason? I would tend to think that September 26th, the following Monday, is too far off to possibly be the launch date for Erin Burnett’s show. But CNN has dragged out launches before.
TV Newser reports that Ali Velshi will soon anchor a new 5:00am program, before staying on to co-anchor American Morning.
According to the report, the new show is not considered to be a permanent addition to the schedule at this stage, which may be good news for fans of CNN International's World One (which is currently simulcast on the domestic network at 5:00am).
A name and launch date have not been set, but it will likely launch at the end of June or early July. Staffers have already been lined up, with most of the production to come out of Atlanta, while Velshi will be based out of New York.
The program is being described as a stage-setter for the day ahead, while also giving viewers the news that morning, and highlights from the night before. In addition to hosting the 5 AM show, Velshi will continue on as co-anchor of “American morning.”
TV Newser says that Velshi's 1:00pm - 3:00pm edition of CNN Newsroom will be anchored by a rotating roster of substitute hosts.
CNN Will Broadcast GOP, Tea Party Responses To State Of The Union Address
CNN Press Release: Comprehensive Coverage of the Address and Subsequent Responses Begins at 8 p.m. ET
Following President Obama’s State of the Union address this evening, CNN will air the Republican response, delivered by Rep. Paul Ryan, followed by the Tea Party response, delivered by Rep. Michele Bachmann. Both responses will be broadcast live and in their entirety.
“The Tea Party has become a major force in American politics and within the Republican Party,” explained Sam Feist, political director and vice president of Washington-based programming. “Hearing the Tea Party’s perspective on the State of the Union is something we believe CNN’s viewers will be interested in hearing and we are happy to include this perspective as one of many in tonight’s coverage."
Lead political anchor Wolf Blitzer, joined by Anderson Cooper, Candy Crowley, John King and Piers Morgan will headline the network’s coverage of the president’s address to the nation and the responses that follow beginning at 8 p.m. Shortly before the 9 p.m. State of the Union address, King will preview the president’s remarks from Capitol Hill, where he will be reporting live throughout the evening.
Additionally, Kathleen Parker and Eliot Spitzer, along with senior political analysts Gloria Borger and David Gergen, and political contributors Roland Martin and Erick Erickson will add insight and analysis.
The network will provide its signature three-dimensional graphics to help explain information and data pertaining to issues the president is expected to raise during his speech. Ali Velshi and Joe Johns will utilize the virtual tool to present comprehensive analysis on the current economic climate, employment rates, impact of health care reform and more.
A special edition of John King, USA will air live from Capitol Hill at 7 p.m. King will be joined by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN). Anderson Cooper 360 ° will follow the State of the Union coverage at 11 p.m.
CNN Politics.com will also have all of the latest articles, op-eds and analysis leading up to the State of the Union as well as interactive features and photo galleries. CNN iReport, the network’s user-generated news community, is asking iReporters to watch the speech and share their thoughts.
CNN Press Release - New Network Daytime Lineup: Phillips, Malveaux, Velshi and Baldwin
Suzanne Malveaux has been named anchor of CNN Newsroom, it was announced today by Ken Jautz, executive vice president of CNN/U.S. Malveaux will relocate to Atlanta and will anchor CNN Newsroom live from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. She joins CNN’s Kyra Phillips, Ali Velshi and Brooke Baldwin, who will continue to anchor CNN Newsroom from 9-11 a.m., 1-3 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. respectively. (All times Eastern Standard Time.) Malveaux begins her CNN Newsroom anchor duties on January 31.
Malveaux, who has worked in CNN’s White House unit for nearly a decade, has played a key role as a member of the network’s Best Political Team on Television and as the primary substitute anchor for The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer. During her career, Malveaux has covered three presidents, presidential campaigns, and key stories including the War in Iraq, Hurricane Katrina and the economic crisis.
Since joining the network in 2002, Malveaux has interviewed President Obama and the First Lady; former presidents George W. Bush, George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton; and former first ladies Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush among numerous other newsmakers. During the 2008 election, Malveaux reported and hosted an in-depth documentary on then presidential-nominee Barack Obama.
“Suzanne is a welcome addition to the CNN Newsroom lineup, adding a depth of experience as well as fresh perspective to our daytime coverage,” said Jautz. “We are very pleased to expand Suzanne’s role so that we can showcase her political expertise as well as her broader strengths as a journalist.”
“I’m looking forward to this new chapter, bringing news and stories that impact viewers in and outside the Beltway,” said Malveaux.
CNN Newsroom is the destination for breaking news and international reporting from its state-of-the-art interactive studio. Kyra Phillips has anchored the program since 1999. Ali Velshi and Brooke Baldwin joined CNN Newsroom in 2010.
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively-syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
Thursday was the debut of a new business segment co-produced for CNN Domestic and CNN International.
The segment, titled Q&A, is simulcast live on both networks, and hosted by Ali Velshi and Richard Quest. During the block, both Velshi and Quest will answer one viewer's question each week, followed by a topical quiz.
Watch the first Q&A below and let us know your thoughts on the segment in our comments section.
All Things CNNnotes CNN's recent honors at the 2010 National Headliner Awards; where the network scooped a one, two, three placing in the Investigative Reporting category.
CNN's winning entries:
Feature or Human Interest Story (Broadcast Radio Division) Third Place: CNN (Radio) Young, Black and Unemployed Dan Szematowicz, Lisa Desjardins
Continuing Coverage of a Major News Event First Place: CNN Anderson Cooper 360: Inside the Battle Zone: Afghanistan Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, David Doss
Documentary or Series of Reports Second Place: CNN World's Untold Stories: Killing Fields: Long Road to Justice Dan Rivers, Kocha Orlan, Mike McCarthy and Sheri England
Investigative Reporting First Place: CNN Your Government at Work: Post Office Mansion Abbie Boudreau, Scott Zamost and Jessi Joseph
Second Place: CNN Anderson Cooper 360: Texas Highway Robbery? Gary Tuchman, Katherine Wojtecki, Kevin Myers, Derek Davis and Alana Duglas
Third Place: CNN American Morning: Gulfstream Air Investigation Allan Chernoff, Laura Dolan, Janelle Rodriguez, James Kraft
Business and Consumer Reporting First Place: CNN The Border Drew Griffin, Kathleen Johnston, Scott Matthews, Todd Schwarzschild, Marcus Hooper
Second Place: CNN How the Wheels Came Off: The Rise and Fall of the American Auto Industry Michael Kane, Ali Velshi and Christine Romans
Health/Science Reporting First Place: CNN The Wheelchair Drew Griffin, Kathleen Johnston, Scott Matthews, Todd Schwarzschild, Marcus Hooper
Third Place: CNN Another Day Cheating Death Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Roni Selig, Tim Langmaid, Caleb Hellerman, David Martin
CNN Press Release - In addition to CNN’s continuing coverage of the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti and the upcoming State of the Union, CNN will devote programming to the impact of the economic stimulus plan one year after it was enacted. Beginning on January 24 and continuing through January 29, CNN will break down where the money has gone, whom it's helping, and who has abused the program. In advance of the January 30 release of new stimulus data, CNN will utilize its vast TV and online reach to inform its viewers about which projects have received the stimulus dollars, what is and isn't working, if Americans’ lives have changed for the better, and who's still fighting to get help. Beginning on American Morning and continuing throughout dayside and primetime programming, CNN will highlight the stories of everyday people, offering viewers an understanding of the good, the bad and the reality of whether the stimulus money is being well spent or going toward wasteful projects. In his first television interview, Inspector General Earl Devaney, “the stimulus watchdog,” will sit down with CNN correspondent Kate Bolduan to give his take on how the stimulus money has been spent.
Leading the coverage on CNN/U.S. will be chief business correspondent Ali Velshi and CNN business correspondent Christine Romans. Velshi, along with CNN anchor TJ Holmes and correspondents Tom Foreman and Josh Levs, will review stimulus projects from CNN’s “Stimulus Desk,” and bring to light those that are the most interesting and newsworthy. CNN correspondents including Elizabeth Cohen, Drew Griffin, Joe Johns, Randi Kaye, David Mattingly, Ted Rowlands, Gerri Willis, and Kareen Wynter will fact-check the plan and report on which projects have been funded so far, where the jobs are, whether these projects will help the economy recover and where the loopholes are. In addition, CNN’s All Platform Journalists (APJs) have been deployed across the country on “stimulus patrol” and will contribute pieces throughout the week about various projects and people across the country that have been affected by the stimulus.
Online, CNNMoney.com is the premiere destination for all news, information and analysis related to the stimulus, and will feature multi-media photo galleries, text stories and video. Additionally, as part of "The Stimulus Project," CNNMoney.com is launching a data visualization that details how much stimulus money has been spent thus-far and on which programs. The first of its kind, this interactive graphic will provide users with the most comprehensive and accessible view into the state of the stimulus. CNN's chief business correspondent Ali Velshi also will use the data visualization on the Magic Wall on CNN/U.S. to help television viewers understand how the money is being used.
Additionally, at www.CNN.com/Stimulus, CNN.com has a special report that features an economy tracker which shows how stimulus money has been spent so far by state, and where new jobs have been created according to government information, an info-graphic that takes a look at some key factors of the economy and how it has gone up and down. In addition, the section includes opinion pieces on how the stimulus has worked and how it hasn't. CNN iReport, the network's user-generated news community, is asking iReporters to share their personal stories to add color to the numerical data.
Viewers can call CNN at 1-800-TIPS-LINE, to explain what's going on in their communities and how they feel the stimulus has impacted their jobs and lives. CNN will also conduct a poll and release numbers daily about Americans’ views of the stimulus package and the economy as a whole.
CNN is the only cable news network that provides non-partisan programming representing all points of view.
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
CNN Press Release - New Network Daytime Lineup: Phillips, Harris, Velshi and Sanchez
Building upon the success of CNN’sdayside programming, Ali Velshi will join the weekday lineup with anchors Kyra Phillips, Tony Harris and Rick Sanchez beginning January 18, it was announced today by CNN/U.S. president Jon Klein. From Atlanta, Velshi will anchor a two-hour general newscast from 1-3 p.m. as well as continue his role as CNN’s chief business correspondent and co-anchor of Your $$$$$.
Phillips will anchor the 9-11 a.m. hours of CNN Newsroom, Harris continues from 11-1 p.m., followed by Velshi. From 3-5 p.m., Sanchez anchors his new program Rick’s List also debuting on January 18.
“Ali has enormous range as a broadcaster, whether he’s reporting breaking news about an attempted terror threat, traveling across the U.S. interviewing Americans about how the economy has affected them, or breaking down business issues as complex as the mortgage crisis or the stimulus plan. He’s passionate and smart, and brings a level of expertise that viewers expect from CNN,” said Klein.
Since joining the network in 2001, Velshi has covered every major business news story including the reopening of the markets after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, the fall of Enron, Arthur Anderson and WorldCom. Velshi traveled to cover the economic impact of natural disasters including Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike. In December 2007 he traveled to Pakistan to report on the assassination of politician Benazir Bhutto for the network. During the coverage of the 2008 presidential election Velshi was a part of the best political team on television and traveled extensively around the country on the CNN Election Express reporting on real issues facing voters. Last year, he covered the meltdown of the world financial markets and the following recession.
Said Velshi, “I'm excited to have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our viewers by making the tough issues of our time clear and accessible to them. The feedback I get from our viewers as I travel around the country reinforces that they appreciate our commitment to breaking down the day’s news.”
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
Anderson Cooper 360°’s Second ‘Money Summit’ will Examine Economic Stimulus Package
CNN Press Release - CNN chief business correspondent Ali Velshi leads a fast-paced panel discussion for CNN’s second “Money Summit,” which looks at the economic stimulus package and the timeline for how quickly it might reverse the effects of a wealth destroying recession. This Anderson Cooper 360° special, “CNN Money Summit,” airs on Tuesday, February 17, at 11 p.m. (ET) and will re-air Friday, Feb 20 at 11p.m. (ET)
For the second Money Summit, CNN will again work closely with Fortune and Money magazines as well as CNNMoney.com to examine the latest issues facing our economy. Velshi and the panel of experts will explore the big questions and possible solutions using the latest on-air technologies and questions submitted via iReport and Facebook. The panel includes: Katie Benner, writer/reporter, Fortune; Telis Demos, writer/reporter, Fortune; David Gergen, CNN senior political analyst, Donna Rosanto, senior writer, MONEY magazine, Andy Serwer, editor, Fortune; and Walter Updegrave, senior editor, MONEY magazine.
The panel will discuss the details of the stimulus package and the mixture of government spending and tax breaks to consumers and businesses. The solutions oriented discussion will focus on the impact of the stimulus package on the job market, the housing market and the stock market. Additionally, the panel will explore whether, with so much money and political capital being used to kick start the economy, the President will be able to fulfill campaign promises on initiatives such as green energy and reforming healthcare?
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
Velshi Chairs ‘Money Summit’ to Examine Economic Challenges Facing President Obama
CNN Press Release - CNN chief business correspondent Ali Velshi leads a fast-paced panel discussion for CNN’s first “Money Summit,” which looks at a potential deep recession, a collapsing housing market, rising unemployment and exploding budget deficits at all levels of government. This Anderson Cooper 360° special, “CNN Money Summit,” airs on Friday, Jan. 30, at 11 p.m. (ET) and Saturday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. (ET)
Velshi and a panel of experts will explore the big questions facing President Barack Obama about the economic crisis using the latest on-air technologies and iReports to advance the conversation. The panel includes: Katie Benner, writer/reporter, Fortune; Telis Demos, writer/reporter, Fortune; David Gergen, CNN senior political analyst, Stephanie Mehta, assistant managing editor, Fortune; Amanda Gengler, writer, MONEY magazine; Jeanne Sahadi, senior writer, CNNMoney.com, Andy Serwer, editor, Fortune; and Walter Updegrave, senior editor, MONEY magazine.
The panel will discuss job creation, the housing mess and scandals and regulation in today’s economy. Additionally, they will consider the mythologies of the American Dream, particularly in terms of how the average consumer carries thousands of dollars in credit card debt and the national debt has soared to more than $10 trillion.
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.
CNN Press Release: CNN’s Velshi Helps CNN Radio Listeners Get Their Money Back with New Series
After a 2008 economic crisis that left few unscathed, CNN’s chief business correspondent Ali Velshi kick starts the new year with a weeklong series of CNN Radio programming guiding listeners through the financial challenges of the moment and the months to come.
“The Ali Velshi Show: Gimme My Money Back” will be available for CNN Radio affiliates starting today and continuing through Friday, Jan. 9. The series, based on Velshi’s new book Gimme MyMoneyBack: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis, airs each day from 1:06 p.m. to 2 p.m. (ET) and is available on CNN.com.
Guests include John Bogle, founder of The Vanguard Group; Jean Chatzky, a personal finance expert and author; Doug Flynn, a certified financial planner; and Ryan Mack, financial planner and president of Optimum Capital Management. These guests and Velshi will provide steps for listeners to get back on track in 2009 by examining the topics below:
·Today: The root causes of the current financial crises and the chance of such an event happening again;
·Tuesday, Jan. 6: The changing world of credit and how it can affect individuals, jobs and the business world;
·Wednesday, Jan. 7: Building the new nest-egg and protecting it from investing uncertainties;
·Thursday, Jan. 8: Steps for investment success and the ins-and-outs of mutual funds;
·Friday, Jan. 9: More about mutual funds and stocks.
For the series, Velshi and expert guests will take listeners calls and e-mails with the best ones each day earning listeners a copy of Gimme My Money Back: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis. Questions can be submitted by calling 877.266.4189 or sending an e-mail to CNNRadio@CNN.com.
Ali Velshi has quietly assumed the position of "Chief Business Correspondent". I noticed it on a couple of shows, and thought maybe it was an error (not that he isn't qualified, mind you!) but CNN.com confirms it.
Thousands Report Election Problems to CNN’s Voter Hotline
CNN Press Release - One day out from Election Day, more than 27,000 Americans already have dialed into CNN’s Voter Hotline about voting concerns and irregularities. The crews managing the phones and the CNN “go-teams” investigating complaints are just getting started. By election’s end, CNN expects to field tens of thousands of calls through the hotline.
“Our goal in setting up the CNN Voter Hotline was to establish a simple and reliable destination for voters to report information about problems at the polls,” said Sam Feist, CNN’s political director. “In just two weeks, thousands of Americans have called the hotline and CNN has dispatched reporters across the country to follow up on these reports.”
Working with InfoVoter Technologies, CNN launched the hotline - 877.GOCNN08 (877.462.6608) – two weeks ago. To date, voters from Georgia, Florida, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Nevada account for the largest number of calls in proportion to their population. Registration issues rank as the highest number of complaints – 36 percent of the calls - followed by problems with absentee ballots, vote integrity, poll access and voting machines.
From Hotline calls, InfoVoter Technologies employees collect the data and code the problems according to categories, such as faulty machines, abnormally high numbers of voters, voter suppression or voter fraud. The hotline also directs callers to their correct polling location and, if necessary, transfers voters directly to local and state election boards.
From there the information goes to CNN, where producers and reporters examine patterns and major complaints to determine whether the network needs to follow-up with more extensive reports.
On Election Day itself, CNN will assemble “go teams” of correspondents and producers who will report on breaking election news and voting irregularities. Throughout the day, chief business correspondent Ali Velshi will anchor reports on voting irregularities from the “go teams,” and legal experts will track and analyze such issues across the country. Correspondent Carol Costello will be part of the teams tracking and analyzing such issues across the country. On air, viewers will see a map that highlights irregularities across the country. Online, CNN.com users can zero in on specific counties in each state experiencing the largest number of Election Day complaints, as well as the most commonly occurring type of problems.
In The Money, the weekly finance program hosted by Ali Velshi and Christine Romans is now being called Your $$$$$ (Your Money). This hasn't been reflected on the show's page but it has been reflected at http://www.cnn.com/Programs.
CNN's marathon coverage of the Iowa caucuses ran several hours overtime than initially planned, and here's why. In a nutshell, the margin of victory is one of the closest ever for a GOP presidential contest.
