Today on AirTalk, we'll dive into the importance of the democratic presidential debates as well as the dynamic between the party conventions, the cable networks and the candidates themselves. We'll also discuss a new study from the Pew Research Center on "fake news"; and more.
Twenty Candidates On The Big Stage: How The Democratic Presidential Debates Will Be Conducted
On Tuesday, NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo announced its picks for five Democrat debate moderators. Lester Holt, Savannah Guthrie, Chuck Todd, Rachel Maddow and José Díaz-Balart will be moderating the Miami-based two hour debates on June 26 and 27.
Up to ten candidates will be appearing during each debate, and the mix of candidates has yet to be announced.
Moderators have faced heat in the past over their performance, and this coming campaign season will likely be no different. What is the role and significance of moderators?
Plus, with such a crowded primary field on the democratic side, the format echoes back to the 2016 Republican primary debates. What lessons can be gleaned from 2016?
Today, we’ll dive into presidential debates – what’s their importance? Who do they most benefit? What’s the dynamic between the party conventions, the cable networks and the candidates themselves in terms of setting the format?
Guests:
Zach Montellaro, campaign reporter and author of the Morning Score newsletter at POLITICO; he tweets
Mitchell McKinney, professor of communication and the director of the Political Communications Institute at the University of Missouri; his research interests include presidential debates, presidential rhetoric and political campaigns
It’s Too Darn Hot: LA’s Best Ice Cream Places
The heat is on in Los Angeles. Temperatures reached close to 100 degrees in some Southland cities.
The hot, dry conditions that showed up this past weekend will continue through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.
So what’s a better way to welcome this heatwave than to get a perfect scoop of ice cream? AirTalk invites you to call in to nominate the best ice cream store in Southern California. Call us at 866-893-5722 to weigh in.
Guest:
Elina Shatkin, food editor at LAist.com; she tweets
The ‘Stop Violence In The Sex Trades Act’ Could Make New York The First State to Decriminalize Sex Work
New York state would legalize the buying and selling of sex under a proposal introduced in the state Legislature Monday that would lift criminal penalties for sex work.
The Stop Violence In the Sex Trades Act isn't expected to get a vote before the Democrat-led Senate and Assembly plan to adjourn for the year next week.
But supporters still hailed the announcement of the bill as a critical step toward repealing criminal penalties for sex workers and their customers.
Speaking at a press conference in Manhattan Monday, former and current sex workers talked about being forced into the industry as minors.
They said many sex workers rely on their jobs to make ends meet.
Larry sits down with advocates for and against the bill to discuss considerations on either side of the complex issue.
With files from the Associated Press.
Guests:
Audacia Ray, director of community organizing and public advocacy at the New York City Anti-Violence Project and is a former sex worker; she also co-chairs the policy work group, DecrimNY, a coalition of organizations dedicated to decriminalizing sex work in New York that backs the Stop Violence in Sex Trade Acts bill; she tweets
Sonia Ossorio, president of the National Organization for Women (NOW) New York City, a non-profit advocacy group that works to advance women’s rights ; she tweets
Fake News Is Seen As Bigger Problem Than Climate Change And Terrorism
Americans think fake news is a larger problem than climate change, racism and terrorism, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center.
One in two people surveyed said made-up news is a very big problem for the country, ranking just behind the U.S. political system and the gap between the rich and the poor.
Those surveyed mainly blamed political leaders and activist groups for spreading false information, and a majority said the news media is responsible for remedying the problem.
The Pew Research Center did not use “fake news” in its survey, likely because the term carries a political charge after its popularization by President Trump. “Fake news” also means different things to different people. For some, it’s fake social media accounts spreading false information with the goal of influencing the 2016 election. For others, it’s the news media’s longtime focus on the Mueller report, which came up short of indicting the President.
What does the term mean to you – and how big of an issue do you think it is for Americans? Call us at 866-893-5722.
Guests:
Amy Mitchell, director of journalism research at the Pew Research Center; she tweets
Kelly McBride, senior vice president and chair for the Center for Ethics and Leadership at The Poynter Institute; she tweets
Jeffrey McCall, professor of communication at DePauw University in Indiana and former journalist; he tweets
After The Passing Of Two Musso And Frank Greats, We Hear Your Stories Celebrating Local Longtime Workers In The Service Industry
Last week, Hollywood’s Musso & Frank’s lost two of its pillars: Sergio Gonzalez and Ruben Rueda.
Gonzalez was a waiter who worked at the establishment for 47 years and served customers such as Steve McQueen and Francis Ford Coppola.
Rueda was a bartender at Musso & Frank’s for 50 years, and was known for being a hospitality pro and an excellent listener who also served the likes of Keith Richards and director Sam Peckinpah.
We talk to a member of the Mosso family, which owns the restaurant about these two beloved employees.
Plus, we want to hear your stories about longtime service people or business owners that have become pillars of your community or established presences at your favorite haunt. Who are the diligent and ever-welcoming bartenders, waiters and ice-cream scoopers of your neighborhood?
Call in with your stories at 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Mark Echeverria, CFO and COO of the Musso & Frank Grill and a member of the Mosso family that owns the restaurant