Waxman Becoming a Regular on Network News

Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles), a national leader on health and environmental issues, also has become one of the most familiar congressional faces on television network news, according to a newly released study.

Waxman, in fact, made three times as many appearances on the major networks’ evening news shows in 1989 and 1990 as the six other San Fernando Valley area lawmakers combined, according to the survey by Joe Foote, chairman of the Southern Illinois University radio-television department.

The media-savvy Waxman appeared on ABC, CBS and NBC television newscasts 32 times--ranking him 45th among the 535 members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

In contrast, Reps. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) and Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) each logged four appearances, Rep. William M. Thomas (R-Bakersfield) had two and Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles) had one. Reps. Carlos J. Moorhead (R-Glendale) and Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley) did not appear on the news programs at all.

Altogether, House members averaged 5.6 television appearances apiece over the two-year period.

“It’s difficult to get anything done just being a cloakroom type in the Congress anymore if you really want to affect the national agenda,” said Foote, who conducts the study every two years.

The roster is dominated by members of the House and Senate leadership and key committee chairmen, led by Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), who appeared 223 times. He was followed by Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell (D-Me.), with 196 appearances, and Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, with 166.

Some of those at the top of the chart had hot reelection races, such as Sen. Jesse Helms (R.-N. C.), with 62 appearances. Others were linked to the “Keating Five” savings and loan scandal: Sens. John Glenn (D-Ohio), 81 appearances; John McCain (R-Ariz.), 59; Dennis DeConcini (D-Ariz.), 56, and Alan Cranston (D-Calif.), 55.

Waxman, who was particularly prominent on clean air and AIDS issues during the survey period, was among a small number of House members whose multiple appearances were attributable primarily to policy matters.

“Policy entrepreneurs like Waxman have made themselves outstanding experts in a particular field,” said Stephen Hess, a senior fellow in governmental studies at the Brookings Institution and an expert on politics and the media. “They have somehow learned, without the advantage of a leadership position, to be attractive to the media.”

Foote said the networks tend to have a “round-up-the-usual-suspects mentality” that keeps them “going back to the people who are quotable and understand the medium.”

Even though House members appeared on the evening news shows a total of 2,446 times, Moorhead and Gallegly had plenty of company as no-shows. Another 161 lawmakers also made no appearances.

“Most people are rarely, rarely on television,” Hess said. “That’s the typical situation.”

TV News Appearances

A study of 1989-90 TV network news appearances by Congressional representatives shows how Valley lawmakers stack up. The average number of appearances among all 535 members of Congress was 5.6.

Congressional Representative: Times on TV Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles): 32 Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City): 4 Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands): 4 William M. Thomas (R-Bakersfield): 2 Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles): 1 Carlos J. Moorhead (R-Glendale): 0 Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley): 0 Source: A survey by Joe Foote of Southern Illinois University.