NBC’s Tim Russert
By on Jun 16th, 2007 at 11:29 am
NBC’s Tim Russert
on presidential candidates refusing to have Fox News sponsor their debates: “It’s a TV show. If you can’t handle TV questions, how are you going to stand up to Iran, and North Korea, and the rest of the world?”
Steve Benen and Arlen Parsa explain why Russert is wrong. Atrios also highlights this exchange:
Hannity: I think the Democrats have gone further left than anybody would have anticipated. I think these bloggers have really gotten to them. I think they’re really positioning themselves that they’re gonna have a very difficult time moving center. Do you see that?”
Russert: Absolutely…
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It is part of the WH protocol that NO REPORTER can ever ask herr dubyah about Michael Moore.
If herr dubyah can’t face Michael Moore how will he face Iran and North Korea and the rest of the world?
June 16th, 2007 at 11:35 amRussert is a shill and a hack – what do you expect? There’s no integrity, so there’s no responsibility.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:35 amIf herr dubyah can’t face Cindy Sheehan how will he face Iran and North Korea and the rest of the world?
June 16th, 2007 at 11:36 amFaux news does not have the ability to respectably appreciate what the progressive candidates bring to the table. Fox is there to scare the viewers into thinking – actually Fox viewers don’t think but – the repubs are the only game in town if you want not to be blown up by a furiner.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:36 amNon sequitor. No relation between FOX and Iran. Who in the hell does he think he is? How does this moron have a job in the media????????????????????????????????????????
I’m f***ing furious. I can’t believe this s***.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:36 amstunning comments from Russert. Take his job away.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:37 amIf herr dubyah can’t stop reading My Pet Goat during the nation’s largest disaster, how will he face Iran and North Korea and the rest of the world?
June 16th, 2007 at 11:38 amThe GOP candidates won’t attend a presidential debate hosted by MoveOn. So I guess that makes them all cowards, right Tim.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:40 amThe object of a primary debate is to be seen by voters of your own party. Smart people don’t watch FOX.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:40 amThis is the guy who hid a Bush campaign button under his lapel and flashed it at the candidate with a wink and a nod before he stole the first election. What should we expect? There’s no hope changing a leopard’s spots, but if we start bitching like the right wing does, maybe we’ll get some balance on NBC.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:40 amSo now Tim is spewing forth the rethugs’ talking points. What a surprise.
I bet he gets regular calls from some very low level employee in Rove’s office about what to say.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:41 amRussert (para):
“It’s not my job to do investigative reporting. If there is no opposition party to Bush then I don’t ask critical questions.”
So now this guy is qualified to judge others on their willingness to debate???????????????
ARE YOU F***ING KIDDING ME?????
June 16th, 2007 at 11:41 amIf Cheney can’t handle tough questions from the media, he calls Tim Russert.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:44 amDr. Matt —
I like the analogy
— except Bush has repeatedly backed down from “standing up” to Iran and North Korea
June 16th, 2007 at 11:44 amYou can write Tim here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6872152/
June 16th, 2007 at 11:45 amSomehow, the logic of this statement puts Fox news on par and in league w/ “the terrorists”, which is oddly appropriate.
In other “news”, saner minds wonder, who are Sean Hannity and Tim Russert, and does anybody take them seriously?
June 16th, 2007 at 11:48 amGosh! Now, who is it who won’t talk to Iran, Syria, North Korea, Hamas, Cuba, Venezuela, and any other group that doesn’t meet their ideological eye? And he is the president, no?
I’m sorry, but I felt like cheering when Bill Clinton nailed that buffoon Chris Wallace of Fox News. That Fox idiot tried to push his Republican Talking Points, but Clinton wasn’t going to play ball and pretend it was all good fun. No sirree, and the Fox hypocrite then had a chance to ask Condi Rice the same ‘hard news’ question, and he chickened out.
Fox is not News. And what does Russert mean by “It’s just a TV show” with “TV questions”? Does that mean it’s not real? That’s it’s just info-tainment?? That Russert isn’t a serious journalist himself, but a mere TV personality???
Come on! TV is all about the Conservative Media Big Lie. Mitt Romney can lie and say Saddam refused to allow the UN weapons inspectors into Iraq and the media will not correct him. The media keeps ressurrecting the Rezko story as if there is something new there and it’s just the same old stale stuff. And apparently Clinton should have ordered attacks on alQaeda on the eve of Bush’s inauguration.
What we have is a media that wants a Tweedledee & Tweedledum two party system. Fox is the greatest offender, but Russert is no better. Nearly all commentary on these ‘news’ shows are right of centre. There is NO liberal progressive voice to be heard. And Russert finds it shameful not to allow Rupert Murdoch to orchestrate the demise of whichever Democratic candidate he chooses. The dirty tricks of the Right have been refined so much since the days of Nixon’s CREEP. I mean, Dean’s scream was really a non-event –and was really only heard through the benefit of audio-technology because it sure wasn’t heard as “the scream” in that hall.
Yes, Russert is right. It’s not news or journalism or political discourse. It’s just a TV show with TV questions. And that’s a pretty good reason to boycott it. Take back the National Debate.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:51 amwho is the bigger pussy? russert for acting like a gop parrot or john stewart for his less than pillow fluff soft questions?
June 16th, 2007 at 11:53 amSo… by the same logic, Bush should not be afraid to go onto Air America, or allow anyone to come listen to his canned speeches.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:54 amTwo fools = bigger fools
June 16th, 2007 at 11:55 amBeing unwilling to legitimize a propaganda machine has nothing to do with being afraid of the questions.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:59 amTim Russert is a joke. His star will fade along with those he’s chosen to align himself with. To think he could have had a career in journalism- guess he couldn’t stand up to the facts.
Lol who cares what Hannity thinks. He is a GOPer fascist & Bush lover.
June 16th, 2007 at 11:59 amjohn stewart for his less than pillow fluff soft questions?
Comment by Fan_of_Man
WTF? Uh, Fan_of_Man, unless you’re talking about some other John Stewart, the only JS I know of in media right now is a “COMEDIAN”. If you’re suggesting by inference that Sean “Heil” Hannity or Tim “The Mouthpiece” Russert are comedians too, then Sean and Tim are in big troube, because THEY’Re NOT FUNNY, unlike John.
So, just out of curiosity, what are you trying to say?
June 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pmWhy has Russert never questioned Bush or his good pal Cheney about stacking the audiences at speeches with supporters while physically removing detractors from those events?
Because Russert, like Bush and Cheney, is a pussy and a traitor to his country and his class.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pmBoycott Tim Russert. He’s another partisan Bush lapdog, and continues to prove it again and again, even when his hero is in the 20%’s in the polls.
Why should Democrats help such a biased “news” network like Fox just so they can “look tougher” to partisan hacks like Tim Russert? Democrats should continue to punish Fox for that partisan coverage by refusing to appear. If Fox wants a White House run propaganda outfit and to call Democrats traitors and cowards on a daily basis, then they can do so without Democratic help. They can live in their little bubbles where Bush’s policies are working.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:02 pmFairness Doctrine, anyone? Oops, Ole Ronnie Raygun did that one in decades ago. The Gipper wins another one!
June 16th, 2007 at 12:04 pm#21, even though stewart is a comedian, there is very much a seriousness to the message. when these crooks go on shows like his and he softballs them, he does nothing more than validate their bullshit parrot talking points. im saying stewart needs to lean into these parrots and call them out point blank on their bullshit. you dont agree?
June 16th, 2007 at 12:04 pmthe only JS I know of in media right now is a “COMEDIANâ€. If you’re suggesting by inference that Sean “Heil†Hannity or Tim “The Mouthpiece†Russert are comedians too, then Sean and Tim are in big troube, because THEY’Re NOT FUNNY, unlike John.
So, just out of curiosity, what are you trying to say?
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Exactly, I didn’t have the energy to take on this comment. I guess when you’re TROS you don’t get time off.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:08 pmIt sounds like Russert has gone over to the dark side. Or is this just a politically correct gesture on his part to suggest that FoxSnooze is, in fact, a part of the journalistic community rather than a GOP propaganda machine?
Equating FoxSnooze to journalism is even more laughable than equating them to Iran, North Korea, etc. In either case, there is no comparison.
Of course, GDumbya and the Keystone Kops love FoxSnooze . . . softball questions from sycophants and apologists. On the other hand, none of these “public officials” can apparently address live audiences that haven’t been screened and taken the “loyalty oath”.
What a sad state of affairs!
June 16th, 2007 at 12:10 pmim saying stewart needs to lean into these parrots and call them out point blank on their bullshit. you dont agree?
Comment by Fan_of_Man
It’s fake news, ding dong. It’s parody. It’s satire. It’s not Jon Stewart’s job to hardball his guests. The fact that you don’t know the difference speaks volumes. Maybe Russert forgot the difference as well.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:10 pmBig Russ would be totally ashamed of his Little Russ.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:12 pmyou dont agree?
Comment by Fan_of_Man
Sometimes, face to face, Stewart backpedals and is polite. On the other hand, go look at the “Tony Snow is lying” bit up at C&L. Not too many people in the media have the balls to do something like that right now. And to be able to reach the younger audience and get them to voluntarily pay attention… Stewart is doing a great job.
If Stewart were sharper, I’d suspect oh, NONE of those fools wold go on his show.
Outside Jack McCafferty and Keith Olbermann… who else is speaking up? Bill Maher? Don’t you dare mention Wolf Biltzer…
June 16th, 2007 at 12:13 pmTIM
June 16th, 2007 at 12:14 pmIf U cant standup to “FOX TWee”
REALLY TIM
WHY SHOULD THEY PARTONIZE A NETWORK THAT CONSTANTLY DEGRADES DEMOS ? TIM U HAVE SHOWN UR STRIPES AND THEY ARE REPUBLICAN! Ready to try a new party since Urs has crashed and
in full burn .. were all waiting for the next shoe to drop .If Cheney cant stand up to the press who does he call “TIMO”
Exactly, I didn’t have the energy to take on this comment. I guess when you’re TROS you don’t get time off.
Comment by shane
Thanks for the acknowldge Shane. Indeed, here at the Republicâ„¢, we’re always on call, 24/7, to reply to whatever comes up.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:15 pmWhere the hell is the democrats’ “quick response team?” Every democrat that goes on MTP had better call him on this, and the message should be unified. There is absolutely no reason why the candidates who rightfully won’t go on Fox news can’t put their personal politics aside for one moment and come up with a strategy to slap down Russert and Fox at the same time. It’s over due that democrats should talk back to Russert and make points about his past comments and bias. Let’s see Russert squirm to answer to his biased format and dialog.
President Clinton stood up to Fox — where is everyone else’s voice? They really piss me off for taking this crap. I bet you, though, that Hillary will be the first one to have a good response to Russert — that is if there’s no back room deal already made.
If the democrats don’t strongly respond on MTP every time they’re on, it will just be a continuation of “Please Don’t Hurt Me.”
June 16th, 2007 at 12:16 pmSo, just out of curiosity, what are you trying to say?
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity — June 16, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
I think Fan_of_Man was referencing the idiotic criticism Jon Stewart received for not asking political candidates tough, hard-nosed questions. And it was stupid criticism because, you;re right, he’s a comedian, not a journalist. Then again, neither Hannity nor Russert are journalists, either.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:17 pmAnd remember, here The Republic of Stupidityâ„¢, we always give door prizes! (Please, somebody ask… What did I win? What did I win? Oh common, I’m sitting here waiting… I’ve got your “prize” ready to go…)
June 16th, 2007 at 12:18 pmgooderservice > there is NO Democrat quick response team anymore. James Carville sold out to the Republicans and Paul Begalia has retired.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:19 pmApparently Tim, you’re the guy who can’t stand up to Fox News. I suppose it’s just as well since you’ll be working for them before too long. You can follow in the footsteps of other losers leaving big time careers to scrape the bottom of the career barrel at Faux.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:20 pmIf Stewart were sharper, I’d suspect oh, NONE of those fools wold go on his show.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
Jon Stewart is extremely sharp. He just knows his is a comedy show, not a news show.
That’s not to say that his news i less valuable to us — I used to get more actual news from his show than allegedly real news shows.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:21 pmIf Stewart were sharper, I’d suspect oh, NONE of those fools wold go on his show.
Comment by The Republic of Stupidity
And if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Why would anybody suggest “correcting” The Daily Show?
June 16th, 2007 at 12:23 pmEquating FoxSnooze to journalism is even more laughable than equating them to Iran, North Korea, etc. In either case, there is no comparison.
Roger Ailes compared Fox News to the terrorists! In fact, Russert was just paraphrasing what Ailes said a little while ago. He said (in essence, since I don’t have the quote in front of me), “If they’re afraid of Fox News, how are they going to handle the terrorists?” As if appearing on Fox News Channel was some kind of training to battle terrorists. That must mean they’re equivalent in his eyes.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:26 pmComment by Zooey — June 16, 2007 @ 12:21 pm
And, of course, Jon Stewart was the only interviewer that I know of that asked President Musharref of Pakistan, “Where’s bin Laden?”
June 16th, 2007 at 12:28 pmThe democrats should just start referring to Fox as a tabloid television show just like Star Magazine or National Enquirer or whatever is at the checkout stands and say they don’t do interviews for those rags either, period. And further say Iran and North Korea are serious issues, unlike Fox’s tabloid.
Or… don’t let Russert or Hannity frame the debate. Dems should just drop lines, when asked, like “I have a serious agenda for this country and I don’t have time to give interviews to ill respected rags.” Don’t open it to debate; just drop that line into whatever topic they’re talking about and stay on that message. If asked, just say it’s not worth talking about as it’s so insignificant and people throw away rags when they’re done with them.
Too many times the democrats allow the republicans to frame the debate. They need to frame their own topics and debate. And never forget that Bill O’Reilly, master of hate, came from “Inside Edition, a tabloid/gossip television program.”
June 16th, 2007 at 12:28 pmJay Randal > there is NO Democrat quick response team anymore. James Carville sold out to the Republicans and Paul Begalia has retired.
They were great at quick response, weren’t they? But there HAS GOT TO BE more people like them who are progressives. Everyone just has to look harder, and once found, allow them to speak.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:31 pmTim Russert is solidly ensconced in the propaganda wing of RepubilcaBushCo, just like the rest of the main stream media.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:33 pmAnd, of course, Jon Stewart was the only interviewer that I know of that asked President Musharref of Pakistan, “Where’s bin Laden?â€
Comment by Wayne A. Schneider
I remember that! Man, Musharref was squirming…..
June 16th, 2007 at 12:34 pmThey were great at quick response, weren’t they? But there HAS GOT TO BE more people like them who are progressives. Everyone just has to look harder, and once found, allow them to speak.
Comment by gooderservice — June 16, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
The perfect job for Bill Clinton if he wasn’t aiding Hillary.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:35 pmToo many times the democrats allow the republicans to frame the debate. They need to frame their own topics and debate.
Comment by gooderservice — June 16, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
That’s exactly why we’re always hearing about the “illegal immigrants” problem and not the “illegal employment” problem. They wouldn’t keep trying to come here if they didn’t know that someone would give them a job in violation of US law.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:37 pmThe Republicans keep talking about the issue in terms of illegal immigration and because they made enough noise about it, it framed the debate. The Democrats need to start talking about the problem in terms of “illegal employment”, instead. The Republicans don’t want to upset their huge corporate sponsors. The Democrats have their own corporate sponsors, too, but not nearly as many or as generous as the Republicans. The Democrats can raise money from people, but if the Republicans ever got cut off from their corporate sponsorship, they wouldn’t have enough money to hold a burgers and hot dogs cookout, let alone run a campaign.
remember that! Man, Musharref was squirming…..
Comment by Zooey — June 16, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
It was great! He clearly wasn’t expecting that and he didn’t want to tell the truth about it, either. Kudos to Jon for daring to do what no one else would do. And the best part is that the way he set it all up, he was clearly doing it for comedic purposes. He knew that after the big set-up with the tea and cakes, it would be afunny punchline. Jon didn’t really expect to get an answer. After all, it couldn’t be that simple. (Musharref: I know where he is. It’s just that nobody asked me.)
June 16th, 2007 at 12:40 pmWSJ could be soon owned by Murdoch. NBC could not be far behind.
June 16th, 2007 at 12:46 pmBetter keep sucking up to Fox.
i must say, i was disappointed that jon didn’t pounce even a bit
when timmy was a guest… he must’ve had a reason…
other than the “comedy show” excuse… just sayin’…
and,
Where the hell is the democrats’ “quick response team?â€
[...]
If the democrats don’t strongly respond [ ] it will just be
a continuation of “Please Don’t Hurt Me.â€
Comment by gooderservice — June 16, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
exactly… a “quick responce team” …
so many outlets and opportunities on the web,
and i suppose TP is a part of that… lots of good sites out there…
as for tv, it seems to be shut out…
for the most part…
but i know what you mean…
June 16th, 2007 at 12:50 pmThe right strategy is to do the same to Russert. Don’t talk to him, don’t legitimize him by appearing on his ridiculous show. Adopt a policy of speaking to real journalists. Period.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:00 pmIt’s not that Democrats can’t handle worldly affairs because they won’t confront Fox News, it’s because they’d rather take care of worldly affairs instead of wasting their time with Fox News.
A simple analogy: “Well, I could cut myself with razor blades, or I could go find a cure for this persistent rash.”
or:
“I’ve got to go face my intimidating boss, but I’m not going to be distracted my this annoying secretary.”
They need to stop drawing parallels. But they won’t. Whatever gets them the cash and attention.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:02 pmbill r. – i can empathize… but that strategy would backfire…
if the dems boycott those shows, the people who need to
hear them the most will miss out…
the dems need to make a point of pushing back whenever
they get the chance…
they are not given many chances though…
imagine that…
the faux “debate” is different format – the dems MUST
June 16th, 2007 at 1:25 pmboycott that as a matter of party principles.
.
Did Dick Cheney tell you to say that?
Tell you what, all RESPONSIBLE politicians (yea both of you) should refuse to go on Meet the Press. By the way when they get there what press do they meet, I hope it’s not the VP’s human tele-prompter.
New Show: Sunday’s 10:00am EST
Meet the Vice President’s Bitch
RIP
SGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
Killed everyday a politician stands by and allows this war to continue
Or as the POTUS and his devout followers call him,,comma #1462
June 16th, 2007 at 1:29 pmRussert is a tool.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:31 pmHe was made a public fool by Bush&Co, but he hasn’t changed his m.o., so we have to assume that he doesn’t mind being a lackey – in fact, he revels in it. He is too dense to even consider that his beloved Bush&Co have stolen and perverted his political party- he continues to enjoy his multi- multi- million dollar salary and the fame that accompanies it, so in Russert’s world, all is OK. He has justified his own existence.
Hey Tim, if you can’t ask tough questions of people in the White House and haven’t got the guts to call them on their lies, you shouldn’t have your own TV show. You aren’t up to it.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:41 pmit appears hannity doesn’t care much for bloggers or those that read blogs.. i wonder why? i guess it could be due to people getting the facts right and not watching fox news as much as he would like.
the problem with dems not letting fox have debates has nothing to do with the questions. it has to do with the one sided views they preach…kind of like church. believe in what i say or you burn in hell…or in this case, believe what i say or you are not an american.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:44 pmIt is part of the WH protocol that NO REPORTER can ever ask herr dubyah about Michael Moore.
If herr dubyah can’t face Michael Moore how will he face Iran and North Korea and the rest of the world?
Exactly. Bush and Cheney wouldn’t let people into PUBLICLY FUNDED events unless they signed LOYALTY OATHS.
When Steven Colbert handed Bush his azz at the White House correspondents dinner, and told Bush the TRUTH to his ugly face,
Bush was PISSED.
The “commander guy” IS scared of Michael Moore. And the TRUTH.
June 16th, 2007 at 1:56 pmThe idea of lending credence to blatant propagandists, i.e. Drudge & Fox News, seems to be lost on Mr. Russert.
The distinction between “can’t handle” and “choose not to suffer fools” is obviously beyond his limited scope.
June 16th, 2007 at 2:06 pmTim should think back to when he had to sit on the hot seat during the Libby trial. Now he wasn’t willing to set with Fox News to discuss his part in the case. Easy to talk hard to do.
June 16th, 2007 at 2:46 pmFox is scared shhitless of “the blogs.” To even mention their weight as the opposition of the Fox role, tells us much about their utter pants-pooping fear of the democratization of “news.”
I love the smell of cowardice fear in the morning.
I think the non-answer by the Dems is perfect. Almost like a:
June 16th, 2007 at 2:48 pm“Do you hear a high pitched whine?”
“I dunno, maybe some fox caught in a trap.”
“They always whine like that when they get caught lying.”
BUSH CAN’T FACE CINDY SHEEHAN! ROVE CAN’T FACR CONGRESS!
June 16th, 2007 at 3:41 pmFOlks, today’s Sturday L.A. Times had NOT ONE STORY about ANY of the ongoing Congressional investigations into the White House, Karl Rove, Gonzales, Doan, the resignations, NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, ZERO. Their cover story was a 57 Plymouth Belvedere that was just dug up out of a waterlogged 50 year old time capsule.
They didn’t have the deceny put any mention of the recent dead American Gentile soldiers in Iraq.
1) who gives a flying F**k what russert says
June 16th, 2007 at 3:44 pm2) russert is a complete hack so see (1).
.
What a Repuke echo Russert is.Has anyone heard Dumya Prez on an adverserial radio show ??
June 16th, 2007 at 4:30 pmOnce he is called out, look for Russert to tell you how much blue-collar he.A multi-millionare tv person calling himself blue -collar what a joke.
Shrub banned the New York Times from Air Force One because he wasn’t confident enough to answer its questions? He won’t attend “public” – as opposed to private, screened, ticketed events – because he can’t control the questions? When he does make a public speech, he bans average Americans to “free speech zones”, out of sight and out of camera range, because he’s afraid of the Constitution?
The argument could be extended. It is as wrong as Karl Rove determining Justice Department staffing or case management policies. Russert knows that. But he continues to echo the OVP/Faux News propaganda because he and his crown jewels remain firmly in Mr. Cheney’s front pockets. Russert’s argument boils down to this. If a politician won’t play ball by giving Big Media exclusive access, Big Media will do all it can to make sure he or she doesn’t stay in office. That’s Big Media the Pimp, who gets rough when his girls moonlight.
So, Timmo, enjoy your summers in the Vineyard, remembering when you were a reporter from that rough and tumble Buffalo town, and remember how you gave all that up so that you could summer in the Vineyard.
June 16th, 2007 at 5:31 pmf o r & h !
June 16th, 2007 at 5:44 pmConservatives such as Saul Anuzis were livid. Anuzis, chairman of the Michigan GOP, threatened to circulate a petition to bar Paul from future Republican presidential debates.
How is the Michigan GOP and Anuzi going to stand up to Iran and North Korea and the rest of the world if you can’t stand up to Ron Paul?
Heh.
June 16th, 2007 at 5:58 pmHow do you stand up to tough questions from American citizens?
I dont recall. I misremembered. Cookies on tables.
June 16th, 2007 at 6:00 pmIt’s not Democratic politicians who are afraid of those “Lefty” bloggers. It’s Timmo.
The Libby trial made clear how coopted Timmo and his pals are. It made clear how top bloggers have stepped into the gaping hole that he and other former reporters left behind in their Rush to follow Limbaugh into the income stratosphere.
Big Media’s new entertainer owners decided that journalism was not as profitable as “message management” for politicians, who can approve their mergers and the rules that govern their businesses. Bloggers stepped up to the plate (as did our most brilliant comedians) and started providing the hard hitting analysis and commentary Timmo used to provide, just as the Indians and Chinese stepped into the manufacturing jobs that used to make his beloved Buffalo a rich, lively community.
The future is with us Timmo. Enjoy the beer and the beach, or get off your backside and start being a reporter again.
June 16th, 2007 at 6:13 pmRussert’s argument is a bizarre strawman. Really pathetic stuff.
I predict that this loser’s career takes a serious nosedive after the 2008 elections. Democrats won’t deal with him. No guests, no show, Timmy.
June 16th, 2007 at 6:25 pmI’ll misappropriate an old blues line: “been Right so long it looks like Left to me”
What would these beltway bubble clowns think if a real lefty talked about socialising the means of production, or solidarity with the oppressed poor of Latin America?
June 16th, 2007 at 9:49 pmI believe in a level playing field….and fairness. Tho I think the Dems should do Fox…….I think the the GOP should do Democracy Now.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:26 amMaybe with Michael Moore, Amy Goodman, and Ralph Nader or Noam Chomsky. No ?? What do you think…??
Russert’s a wimp, he had Rumsfeld on and the only tough question was about women’s rights!!!! Nothing about lies leading to an illegal war, nothing about lies about 9/11, nothing about a US diplomat telling Hussein his action against Kuwait was not a matter of concern to the US. Russert is a complete useless wimp, his show is worthless pap.
June 17th, 2007 at 5:12 amRussert stated THE right-wing talking point for why the Democrats
refused to engage in debate on a known propaganda outlet for the
opposition party.
He is a hack, therefore, he has a prominent role in our “liberal” media.
Not surprised, at all, that Cheney’s #1 go to person for interviews was/is
Timmeh.
Our media has failed us. Completely. Turn it off for good. You’ll be better
June 17th, 2007 at 8:11 aminformed if news is obtained from foreign sources.
I do not think it’s a question of the Democrats moving to the left to appease bloggers–I think it is a result of the MAJORITY of Americans finally REJECTING THE LIES.
June 17th, 2007 at 8:40 amKarl Rove’s MO is well-known to be stating lies over and over until people believe. Like an ad-man. This disturbing personality flaw was adopted readily by our media (FOX was #1) in the immediate aftermath of September 11th and we, the public, out of shock and fear, gobbled it up, which is brought us to where we are today.
Asking candidates to engage in a debate on FOX, a “news” organization at the forefront of successfully carrying out the marketing plan of Karl Rove, is absurd. Like having them compete on “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader”.
“It’s a TV show. If you can’t handle TV questions, how are you going to stand up to Iran, and North Korea, and the rest of the world?â€
That must the stupidest thing Russert has ever said. Fox News is not a legitimate news organization. It is a propaganda tool for the Bushies. It features idiots like Hannity, O’Reilly, and assorted foaming-at-the-mouth cretins. Who wants to lower themselves to deal with those creatures?
June 17th, 2007 at 9:42 amNot that I had much respect for Russert, but going on Hannity’s show just erased the tiny bit of respect I had left for him.
What a p.o.s.
June 17th, 2007 at 12:26 pmHey, I really hate to tell old Timmy that he should actually rub some of his neurons together before he blurts out the Repub talking points on an issue, but he just described PRESIDENT BUSH – the man that lives in a bubble!
Point two – I thought the Dems answer was very clear on this issue – FU! You better start playing ball with the Dems or your meal ticket IS NOT GOING TO GET PUNCHED! Understand?
June 17th, 2007 at 2:49 pmI watched ‘Meet the Press’ this morning. The message seemed to be: 1) that the Democrats need to follow Hillary to the right on certain key issues or they can’t win. 2) Hillary will be tough and not pull out of the war afterall. 3) Hillary (aside from being very smart and shrewd) is now comfortably pulling away from Obama… only those on the far far left are not supporting her.
I’m sick of Hillary and her centrist political postioning. Im sick of her using her connections and deal making with Big Media to get herself support and make other more worthy individuals look bad (example: Don Imus got sideways with her once too many times so her minion Fat Sharpton gave him an avalanche of bad press and certain MSNBC execs gladly caved to her will). Im just plain tired of having to pay attention to such a condescending jerk in a pantsuit with her ‘whatever gets me the most support’ set of ideals. She’s not smart or shrewd, she’s reactive and controlling. And her campaign sucks, sucks, sucks. That’s why she’s giving up on the left and looking to the more conservative moderates for support.
The USA Today Gallup poll fiasco has got to be the biggest crock of shit Ive ever heard of. Two weeks ago Obama was ahead by a point. I know this is old news to most of you but I’ll repeat… he was AHEAD BY A POINT!! NOW, he is 11 to 14 points behind again according to the new poll. The chimps at Gallup blamed the descrepancy on ‘a short-term change or a function of unusual sampling’ in the previous polling that made Obama seem as if he had wider support among Democrats.
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070618/a_poll18.art.htm
Of course, who’s to say what should be believed or not believed but one thing I know is that this is certainly ridiculous. How in the world could this ever happen?? Really. Even if what the Gallup people are now saying about the previous poll is true, what does it say about any reliability of the most recent poll? Why isn’t this new poll crap too? Why all the subjectivity? Is Obama that far behind or is he way ahead?
I dont know the answer, but I do know that there are so many factors that can affect a poll that they must be relatively useless as actual gauges of public opinion and are more just a reflection of the values, beliefs, and desires of one influential group or another inside big-money politics, journalism, and Big Media. And they are subject to change anytime the right forces get aligned.
This morning Russert had so many good things to say about Hillary I got the impression he wants to have her baby. He gave maybe two sentences about Obama and nothing about his campaign. If Barack Obama is going to gain support, he’ll have to do it without any fairness from Meet the Press, or Hardball, most of the big newspapers, or any of those other tabloid hacks on FOX. His message just don’t sell to their audiences. And it pisses Ms. Clinton right off.
June 24th, 2007 at 9:10 pm