MSNBC's Family Feud

Klein says CNN stresses "reliable reporting" and diverse pundits from Bill Bennett to Donna Brazile. "Networks that push a certain agenda are extremists, when in fact the country is a country of moderates," he says.

Marty Ryan, Fox's executive producer, says it is obvious that MSNBC has "been in the tank for Obama the entire campaign" and that "deeming third place a success must be a new standard for General Electric," the network's parent. But he insists it's a "bum rap" to describe Fox as being on the right, saying that O'Reilly goes after both parties, Hannity's co-host is liberal Alan Colmes, and Greta Van Susteren is not ideological.

Ryan cites a Pew Research Center study showing that 39 percent of Fox's audience are Republicans and 31 percent Democrats, compared with MSNBC (45 percent Democrats, 18 percent GOP) and CNN (51 percent Democrats, 18 percent GOP).

Griffin has tried to smooth things over. He apologized to analyst Mike Murphy after the Olbermann incident, and Brokaw made a point of appearing with Murphy on Scarborough's show the next morning. "Regardless of any recent drama, I've been treated well," Murphy says. "I'm going to focus my energies on the NBC side of the world."

Griffin did not respond to requests for comment last week, but in a May interview he said: "We have people with multiple points of view . . . We argue and debate every topic."

Raw opinion is what separates cable news from the tradition-bound broadcast networks and, of course, talk is cheaper than reporting. But with such NBC stalwarts as Brokaw, Brian Williams, Andrea Mitchell and David Gregory increasingly appearing on the company's cable outlet, the distinction is getting blurred.

On his "Countdown" program, which almost never includes conservative guests, Olbermann has told President Bush to "shut the hell up," urged McCain to "grow up," and mocked the Arizona senator with such headlines as "McSame" and "Double Talk Express." That's all fair game on an opinion show.

But Olbermann and Matthews, a former Democratic strategist, are also co-anchoring MSNBC's coverage of the conventions, which Griffin defends by saying they are assuming a more neutral role. After Hillary Clinton spoke, Olbermann said: "Grand slam, out of the ballpark, across the street." And after Obama's acceptance speech, Olbermann said: "Not a sour note and spellbinding throughout."

"I've been criticized for saying he inspires me, and the hell with my critics," Matthews added.

Other commentators can blur the lines as well. Karl Rove, the White House aide turned Fox analyst, says he is not advising the McCain campaign. But Politico reported last week that he had called Sen. Joe Lieberman and asked the former Democrat to bow out as a possible McCain running mate. Rove disputed the account but would not deny making the call.

MSNBC and Fox programs often seem to be mirror opposites. After McCain named Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate Friday, Olbermann called it a "desperate" move to tap a "rabid conservative" who is "fanatically antiabortion and pro-gun." Hannity said McCain had made a "great choice" of a "pro-life" governor and "I don't think he could have picked anybody better."

These trends matter because as the broadcast networks keep trimming their political coverage, cable has become the go-to place for news. During the 10 p.m. hour at the Democratic convention Thursday -- the evening of Obama's acceptance speech -- CNN drew 8 million viewers, beating not just Fox (4.2 million) and MSNBC (4.1 million) but also NBC, ABC and CBS. Nor is that a first: Fox outdrew the broadcast networks at the 2004 Republican convention.