Playing to the cameras

To get an understanding how cameras have changed congressional proceedings one only needs to watch the current hearings on the nomination of Judge John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Consider that less than a hundred years ago, nominees didn't even appear before the Senate for the hearings. In an article today about the hearings, Manuel Miranda gives us this little tidbit.

The hearing for Justice Byron White in 1962 lasted only 15 minutes and included just eight questions.

I'm definitely not thrilled with how it has gone from 15 minutes to several days and it is all attributable to senators playing to their constituencies through the wonders of television.