Talking Heads Sweepstakes

Who is winning the battle to be the most interviewed “outside expert” on the Iraqi crisis? Here is a tally of TV appearances (on the three morning shows, the weekend gabfests, MacNeil/Lehrer and Nightline) and of mentions in major print publications (as tabulated by the Nexis database) during the month of August.

Expert Les Aspin

House Armed Services chairman

TV 10 Print 275

Basic Wisdom

That the public may not support any military action that is not purely defensive.

Expert Sam Nunn

Senate Armed Services chairman

TV 6 Print 266

Basic Wisdom

That the taking of hostages “cannot be allowed to dominate our policy.”

Expert Henry Kissinger

Former Secretary of State

TV 6 Print 170

Basic Wisdom

That America’s national interests require forcing the Iraqis out of Kuwait and a long stalemate would be dangerous.

Expert William Crowe

TV 8 Print 65

Former JCS chairman

Basic Wisdom

That the U.S. could “clean the clocks” of Iraq in combat, but then warns that the operation would be bloody.

Expert Judith Kipper

Brookings expert

TV 4 Print 58

Basic Wisdom

That the crisis has ushered in a new era of belligerence over resources like oil.

Expert James Schlesinger

Former Defense Secretary

TV 2 Print 54

Basic Wisdom

That freeing Kuwait is unrealistic. “We should forget right now about that particular objective.”