Cable news’ Russia hysteria is forcing the Democrats’ hand on impeachment
by Justin Caruso
| June 09, 2019 08:00 AM
The end of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation hasn’t been good for the cable news industry. CNN’s ratings have cratered since Mueller publicly announced that he found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, and in April, the network experienced its lowest ratings in three years.
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow has experienced a similar crash in ratings in recent weeks. These ratings dips represent a significant fall from grace, as just last year the frenzy over Russia and the Mueller investigation was turning Maddow into one of the most-watched talking heads in America.
Indeed, after generating untold amounts of cash from high ratings and web traffic due to obsessive coverage of President Trump’s alleged connections to Russia, liberal members of the media are now paying the price for putting all their eggs in one basket and coming up short. Meanwhile, the real-world impact of the media’s Mueller hysteria is clear from the furor among the Democratic base to impeach President Trump. And that’s a shame.
Whether one agrees with their policy prescriptions, Democrats should focus more on issues like healthcare and income inequality, instead of Russia conspiracies and endless investigations. But large parts of the Democratic Party base are brimming with excitement to begin impeachment proceedings against the president, even though it will almost certainly backfire.
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/red-alert-politics/cable-news-russia-hysteria-is-forcing-the-democrats-hand-on-impeachment
