Talking Politics gives us an inside view of the relationship between journalists and candidates, one that shapes the way most Americans choose their president. In a series of personal and in-depth interviews, some of America's top broadcasters and political commentators talk about the extraordinarily influential relationship between the nation's most powerful journalists and political figures. Tom Brokaw, Larry King, Robert MacNeil, Linda Ellerbee, Bernard Shaw, and other media figures address issues such as: o When does a tabloid story become worthy of the attention of the serious media? o Can a talk show really give us a "closer look" at a candidate or is that closeness an illusion? o When can voters trust candidate images presented on television--network news, talk shows, or otherwise? Each chapter in Talking Politics features a frank, revealing interview with one of the nation's most influential broadcasters or political commentators. The result is a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the tension-fraught relationship between TV news and political candidates. In an age when the media has become as much a topic as the politicians it covers, Talking Politics will be fascinating reading for all who follow politics.