TV & VIDEO - Nov. 22, 1988

Did you think TV played too central a role in the campaign of ‘88? You’re not alone. According to a Roper Organization poll financed by TV Guide, 54% of adult Americans said they believe TV has too much influence on the way the presidential candidates and issues were presented to the public. When asked if they thought TV coverage of the election was biased, 46% said yes. And when instructed to pick the candidate they thought worked best on TV, 57% chose President-elect George Bush (only 30% chose Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis). Results of the poll, appearing in the Nov. 26 issue of TV Guide, also showed that ABC and NBC finished in a dead heat when the more than 1,000 adult respondents were asked which network provided the best campaign and election coverage, with CBS trailing by four to six percentage points.