TIME Magazine content is available exclusively for TIME subscribers.

Current subscribers for full access. Not a TIME subscriber? .

In the curious, often unruly marriage between politics and television, there are certain charged moments that flicker in the national memory. Richard Nixon tense and sweaty debating an unruffled John Kennedy. Ed Muskie's frozen tears in the snows of New Hampshire. Ted Kennedy groping for meaning and a verb in an interview with Roger Mudd. Ronald Reagan squaring his jaw and asserting, "I'm paying for this microphone, Mr. Green!" Who cares that the man's name was actually Breen? It was great television.

Such moments supposedly provide insight into a hidden reality. In a flash they divulge the inner self, the man...

Time.com on Digg

POWERED BY digg

Quotes of the Day »

AVIGDOR LIEBERMAN, Israel's Foreign Minister. Bombers targeted Israel embassy workers in the capitals of India and Georgia on Monday. Israeli leaders accused Iran of responsibility for the attacks, which left at least two people in the Indian blast hospitalized.
For use in rail of Articles page or Section Fronts pages. Duplicate and change name as necesssary to distinguish.