Since 1987, C-Span has recorded every Congressional session, hearing, White House press briefing, debate, you name it – if official government business in DC, C-Span was there. Now its archives are available online for free. Sure you could search on YouTube for the fiery and funny moments, but where else will you find video of EVERY Representative for EVERY district, Senators for EVERY state, and members for EVERY Congressional Committee – including details about bills and votes taken? Not only is the accessible archive gold to historians and reporters but it is the ultimate gift of public service. Now if it could only sneak cameras into the Supreme Court…
You’d think the exhaustive, on-the-record C-Span archive would be a pretty important resource for voters, too, trying to get things straight. But alas voters are busy making ends meet. In fact the rumor that C-Span’s ratings (such as they are) climb in August, when Congress goes on its summer hiatus, isn’t far-fetched. And if last night’s VP debate didn’t do it for you, check out Geraldine Ferraro and Poppy Bush from 1984. It’s not Orwellian, but it’s a popular choice this week.
