C-span just refused my call after screening

[newsjunkie]

They topic question was 'Who is your favorite hero of 2003?' . I tried and tried and finally got through and when they answered they asked "Whos your hero?" I said Howard Dean...and he said When have you called last? I said 3 months ago...and he said "Im sorry but today we are only taking calls from first time callers.Please call back tomorrow". !
Now I call c-span pretty regularly and they have never asked me about my comments before before I got on the air (only how long since I called) so I was surprised. Then I kept listening and Brian said "For those of you who are calling and MAY BE first time callers,heres what we are talking about" He didnt say ANYTHING about that it was stipulated that it HAD to be first time callers and I never heard him say that at the beginning either. I could have missed it but I dont think so. If anyone heard them say that maybe you could tell me but I didnt hear that instruction or I wouldnt have bothered trying to get through because I dont break their rules. It sounds very much like they didnt want Howard Dean to get too many calls for being the hero so they were screening the calls. At the end of the segment Brian also said "Well,Bush got 2 or 3 calls and Dean got 2 or 3 so..."
OBVIOUSLY they werent including MY CHOICE because I heard at least 3 for Dean on the air. How many others for Dean did they screen and hang up on??? I am very upset and next time I get through they are going to hear about it live on the air too! :grr:

[izzie]

1. Don't get to up tight it is a pretty good show.

n/t

[newsjunkie]

3. I am a c-span junkie too

but I am disappointed because I didnt think they screened callers about what they will say and THEN decide whether they get on or not. I hope Im wrong and they maybe announced that it was first time callers only at the beginning because I did miss the opening of the show(about five minutes). ..but even if so, why did he ask what I was going to say before letting me on or hanging up on me? He shouldve just asked if I was a first time caller..not who my hero was. Right?

[bearfartinthewoods]

2. they have been announcing that it's a first time callers only day

since the begining...perhaps you missed it?

[newsjunkie]

4. okay....but

like I said before-even if so, why did he ask what I was going to say before letting me on or hanging up on me? He shouldve just asked if I was a first time caller..not who my hero was. Right?

If they were going to take a 'survey' on the phone of who our choice was,then they should've at least had Brian give those 'results' on the air.

[ArkDem]

5. Oh, the horror...

.

[newsjunkie]

6. no horror,but the media is against us enough already

They just keep chipping away at fairness and C-span is the last refuge for truth on tv. I want them to stay that way.

[wndycty]

7. How dare C-SPAN. . .

. . .refuse a Dean supporter who called three months ago when they asked for first time callers. Obviously ROVEBUSHLIEBERMANKERRYGEPHARDTEDWARDSCLARKSHARPTONCLINTON were behind this!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. I don't think that

but I do wonder how many supporters of Kerry, Clark, Gephardt, Kucinich, Mosely-Braun, Sharpton,Edwards, and Lieberman were possibly shut out. I took the point of this to be that it appeared CSPAN was screening calls so they could skew the results. I think we would all be up in arms if they were turning away Dems and only letting Bush supporters through.

[wndycty]

12. I hope you understand the sarcasm

C-SPAN asked for first time callers and the original poster admitted he or she called 3 months ago, obviously if he or she is really outraged he or she does not think rules apply to supporters of a particular candidate. . .interesting pattern isn't it.

[mandyky]

9. At the very beginning, they said 1st time callers

only. They also did this on Thanksgiving, and have done it in the past. No foul, I think they just like to keep track of new viewers or folks who don't call in regularly.

[Laughing Mirror]

10. i watched the entire program and it is being repeated now

Brian Lamb keeps repeating "First time callers only."

Sometimes it is hard to pay attention to the show you're calling into, when your concentration is on getting the call through.
But I wouldn't get upset about it. I heard at least two people (and there were maybe more) mention Dean as their hero, if that is any consolation to you.

[Gman]

11. First time callers means

first time callers. Sorry, but you need to calm down.

[wyldwolf]

13. At least you can get through!

They have more people trying to call than a TOP40 radio station giving away Justin Timberlake tickets!

[leetrisck]

14. I'm a C-Span junkie also and was listening

this morning and the whole show was for first time callers. Brian was really having a tough time with it this morning. Was actually kind of funny. Try calling in tomorrow when Lucianne Goldberg is going to be one.

[diamondsoul]

15. This is for the folks jumping on you-

Um PEOPLE! Try reading the whole thing before you go fgor the throat, eh?

newsjunkie-"He didnt say ANYTHING about that it was stipulated that it HAD to be first time callers and I never heard him say that at the beginning either. I could have missed it but I dont think so."

Is it that tough to just say "Yes they did specify first time callers, you must have missed it. Sorry to hear about your frustration, but have a nice cup of eggnog and enjoy the day."

Dang, people I don't much care for Dean myself but I don't leap on every chance to upset someone further on a special day for many just because they happen to have a Dean avatar!

[TrueAmerican]

16. That was you?

I spent all morning screening calls for CSPAN. I am sorry but I am only allowing Clark supporters to call in from now on. In the future, don't waste your time. I'll catch you.