Patterico's Pontifications

8/27/2008

MSNBC’s Convention Coverage, Day 3

Filed under: 2008 Election,Media Bias — DRJ @ 9:44 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Amid reports that MSNBC’s politically-driven Convention coverage is ready to implode, GOP strategist Mike Murphy belatedly appeared as a guest commentator but had to parry snide comments like these by Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews:

From Newsbusters:

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Let me ask you Mike: are we to, to place the credibility of you as a pundit on your belief, that you’ve just asserted, that the Clintons will vote for John McCain?

MURPHY: Absolutely. I really believe Hillary Clinton will vote for McCain. Look, they’re friends. [Crowd boos]. Ah, come on, don’t shout me down: let me talk. I mean come on, this is, you guys are so in the tank we ought to be filming this on a submarine. The fact is, Barack Obama, to his credit, has moved closer to Hillary Clinton and John McCain on foreign policy, Hillary and John McCain have worked —

MATTHEWS: That’s an argument — that’s not what I’m asking you.

MURPHY: I really believe —

MATTHEWS: Mike, let me get back to —

It was then that Olbermann could be heard angrily off-camera.

KEITH OLBERMANN: Let’s wrap him up, alright?

Perhaps Chris didn’t want to be outdone in insulting his guest:

MATTHEWS: I want to ask this question, Mike. You say the audience out there is biased. Where would you find an audience in sane America who would agree with you?

MSNBC is doing its part to blur the lines between news and entertainment.

— DRJ

52 Responses to “MSNBC’s Convention Coverage, Day 3”

  1. Off topic, but interesting.

    I already put this in the other ‘day 3’ thread, but it seems pretty interesting, especially some of the reporting going on.

    Change? How about spare change?

    Apogee (366e8b)

  2. Maybe they’re biased because they feel threatened?

    Apogee (366e8b)

  3. The environment is dangerous. Never mind dissent. How about an opinion, a differing thought?

    Vermont Neighbor (a066ed)

  4. That line’s not blurry at all. It’s 100% entertainment now.

    Kevin (834f0d)

  5. #1

    Glad they have film of that incident –

    ABC news producer collecting footage for Charles Gibson and World News Tonight. If the Obama regime gets in, I guess we can expect more police brutality and physical attacks against professionals doing their job. Ridiculous.

    May the young man collect damages from the DNC and/or Brown Palace.

    Vermont Neighbor (a066ed)

  6. Apogee,

    I agree that’s an interesting story and I bet the charges against the ABC producer will be dropped. Still, Democrats are in an awkward position because they portray themselves as representatives of the little guy, not big money. They downplay the extent to which Obama’s money has come from lobbying and bundling, and stories like this don’t fit the narrative.

    DRJ (7568a2)

  7. I’ll admit to being biased. I’m acquainted with Mike Murphy, and I despise Matthews and Olbermann.

    Still.

    I can’t confirm allegations that after Michelle Obama’s speech, a sperm bank volunteer collected free samples off of Matthews’s and Olbermann’s trousers.

    Patterico (424a13)

  8. DRJ – #6 10:11pm Just so you know, I wasn’t trying to thread hijack, but the story jumped out at me.

    It also occurred to me that at least this media story didn’t seem to fit in with the idea of bias. Kudos to ABC for highlighting the ‘lobbyists gone wild’ story with respect to the Democrats, and the real story isn’t just the money trail, it’s also the brutal attempt to hide that information.

    So many commenters at this site from the left continue to bring up the tired ‘big oil is tied to Republicans’ story that the video of the Democrats at the Shell Oil party should probably be permanently linked on the right side column.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  9. Patterico 10:14pm (If that really is your name) – They should test it against the sample swabbed from their mouths. I’d give a 1 in 3 chance that it won’t match.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  10. Apogee,

    I’m fine with off-topic comments and I’m interested in where that story goes. Good journalists follow the story and I hope the Obama-Clinton primary got their competitive juices flowing so they will pursue stories like these during the general election. We’ll see.

    DRJ (7568a2)

  11. DRJ – Well here’s another off topic link on Team Obama’s continuing use of thuggish tactics to supress the Obama/Ayers story from being told. It dovetails nicely with their DOJ complaint you highlighted before.

    Chicago politics, it’s whats for dinner.

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  12. Re: #7….

    Mr. Frey, whose was whose?

    I second the “ewwww” comment, incidentally.

    More seriously, let’s hear again how the media is unbiased?

    Eric Blair (2708f4)

  13. MSNBC is doing its part to blur the lines between news and entertainment.

    That line’s not blurry at all. It’s 100% entertainment now.

    No, it’s not entertaining at all.

    Steverino (1dda08)

  14. You guys are so in the tank they should refine you and charge four dollars per gallon.

    You guys are so in the tank they should add a bucket of chum and let Hillary have at you.

    You guys are so in the tank you should all change your names to Dukakis.

    You guys are so in the tank, when it comes to the convention you should chalk it up to a ‘lost weekend’.

    You guys are so in the tank you start talking like Donald Duck before they blow up the balloons.

    You guys are so in the tank they should dump Michael Moore in with you, give you a whistle, and let you work up a show.

    Icy Truth (64f9d0)

  15. Anyone who watches MSNBC is a Leftwing Whacko or a right wing pundit looking for more red meat to throw to the public.

    PCD (5c49b0)

  16. I have enough problems not puking watching some of talent on Fox News- Geraldo, Combes, O’Reilly, Shepherd. How in God’s name can anyone stomach crapweasels like Matthews and Olbermann?

    Speaking of media bias, someone at your fish wrap, the LA Times, needs to be canned. The nerve of some investigative reporter(s) questioning Biden family business dealings and saying they may be problematic for slow Joe. Surely Joe must have been vetted by the lamestream media long before?

    madmax333 (0c6cfc)

  17. #4 That line’s not blurry at all. It’s 100% “entertainment” now.
    No kidding.

    Where have you been for the last 8-12 years DRJ?

    Actually it will officially be 100% entertainment when MSNBC “accidentally” reports that Ayers is a Republican (for three days straight) and then “accidentally” puts a D under John McCain’s name during some report or other. More MSM stations will follow with their own little editorial “accidents”. Then we’ll know.

    EdWood (c2268a)

  18. I remember watching the movie Network for the first time in 1976 and thinking “this couldn’t happen.” Well, I was wrong. We’ve got it all, mentally unhinged anchors, news organizations creating events for ratings, and Sybil the Soothsayer… Sorry that’s ever so cute Katie Couric. I don’t care for the strident tone of Fox News but MSNBC is like watching a soap opera. Who loves Obama and who hates Bush the most? Professional wrestling has more credibility.

    Michael (125e56)

  19. Food Fight! At the MSNBC kindergarten.

    Mike Myers (31af82)

  20. I’m curious: what do you find entertaining about that pathetic exchange?

    mojo (8096f2)

  21. Seems like every time I see one of Obama’s official advisors, or media reps on TV, they come off as a bit abrasive, almost overbearing.

    One tried to push his way onto the set at FOX this morning. He was excessively arrogrant to the point of near insolence. For a few seconds, the mask slipped and viewers saw the forces of arrogance and vanity combined to reveal the hidden animosity. These Obama people are angry and feel entitled to run the world, they have the one true religion, and they do not suffer false gods before them.

    This sort of rough stuff may play well in the isolation of Obama’s inner sanctum, but out in the open where everyday Americans can see what these bullies think they can get away with, well it isn’t going to win over Joe Sixpack in the general election.

    Ropelight (4a83c9)

  22. Ropelight @ 9:19…
    Arrogance…
    Sort of reminds me of the Bolshevik/Menshevik struggle in the early days of the Russian Revolution.
    It is not easy, or pretty, to deny a True Believer.

    Another Drew (0e4f52)

  23. This post is hilarious.
    “Where would you find an audience in sane America who would agree with you?”

    Answer the question DRJ. “In sane America” not insane America.

    McCain was against moving troops to Afghanistan (this over the past 2 years or more), now he’s for it. Against timetables, now for them, as Bush is now as well apparently.
    http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/07/mccain-shifts-p.html

    Obama pushed for both. Their policies have become closer because Bush and McCain have flipped.

    I’m against more troops in both cases actually.

    JAR (ab000b)

  24. McCain was against moving troops to Afghanistan (this over the past 2 years or more), now he’s for it.

    Because for the last 2 years Iraq was a killing field, and now it’s stable…

    So Obama can modify his position, by McCain can’t? Good to know, bubba…

    I’m against more troops in both cases actually.

    So you disagree with Obama that we need more troops in Afghanistan?

    Is that allowed?

    Scott Jacobs (2899a7)

  25. JARring –

    I’m against more troops in both cases actually.

    — So you’re against winning in all cases.

    Icy Truth (7d05ae)

  26. JARhead believes that we need to reinforce McCauley at Bastogne NOW!
    We have neglected those struggling troops for far too long.

    Another Drew (0e4f52)

  27. I bet you could distill what JAR believes down to two words – Republicans bad.

    JD (75f5c3)

  28. Another Drew…

    “NUTS”

    semper fi…

    JAR….I don’t respect you, or your opinion, but I’ve gladly picked up a gun to defend your right to it…

    reff (959425)

  29. OOOOO…and I almost forgot JD…..

    “RACIST”

    reff (959425)

  30. ’tis a given, reff.

    JD (75f5c3)

  31. Bigot!

    Another Drew (0e4f52)

  32. ’tis also a fact. I am bigoted against JOHN !

    JD (75f5c3)

  33. You have to be pretty stupid to think that Hillary is going to vote for McCain.

    Um, Sue? (652b5b)

  34. JD…
    I am shocked that you have rejected the oracle that we have all needed to show us the light.

    Another Drew (0e4f52)

  35. Say it LOUD AND PROUD JD!!!!!

    I’m witchu because I’m witchu….

    reff (959425)

  36. Um, Sue? — 8/28/2008 @ 11:26 am:

    You have to be pretty stupid to think that Hillary is going to vote for McCain.

    That’s us. Bitter, clingy and stupid.

    DRJ (7568a2)

  37. Read the link. McCain flipped from one week to the next.
    That’s not evolution that’s chaos, (or Alzheimer’s.)

    “So you’re against winning in all cases.”
    The only victory I’m interested in is the victory of stability, and after that, of democracy. You’re treating this like a sporting event. LA Sucks! Nuggets Rule! Team USA!

    One reason I’m in favor of immigration, even illegal immigration:
    Anything that makes the population of this country less isolated and self-centered the better. What percentage of the readers of this blog even have a passport?

    JAR (ab000b)

  38. DRJ @ 11:31…

    To better enable you to be “Bitter, clingy and stupid”:
    http://patriotshop.us/product_info.php?cPath=70&products_id=797&osCsid=557f0e61939c979864daa13594bcbd5c

    Some great conversation starters there – and work safe, if you don’t work at City Hall in Chicago, that is.

    Another Drew (0e4f52)

  39. So JAR is bigoted against old people. Nice.

    What percentage have a passport? I can almost guarantee that I have been more places in the last few years than you have been in your tiny miserable existence.

    In the last few years, off the top of my head … VietNam, Japan, Dubai, St. Lucia, St. Thomas, Martinique. Add in Great Britain, Cypress, The Kingdom, Turkey, France, Alaska (I know, no passport needed, Mexico, Canada, Germany, if we go further back … Shall I continue?

    JD (75f5c3)

  40. I will give JAR credit. It stated it is in favor of illegal immigration, and differentiated between legal and illegal.

    JD (75f5c3)

  41. #41 – JD I will give JAR credit

    I won’t. His assertion that traveling to a place equates with understanding is not only nonsensical, but telling in its naive simplicity.

    Passing through transportation hubs, hotels, bars and tourist attractions does not make the traveler any more capable of offering solutions to socio-political problems than someone who has not visited.

    It is valuable, however, for college age students with little life experience to pass themselves off as more worldly than their friends.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  42. Wipe yo’ azz wit’ JARmin –

    That’s not evolution that’s chaos, (or Alzheimer’s.)
    — Racism, sexism, ageism. The progressive trinity. John McCain has a voting record that anyone can check, and a clearly-defined platform that anyone can read. Either you agree with his stance on the issues enough to vote for him or you don’t.

    The only victory I’m interested in is the victory of stability, and after that, of democracy.
    — And do you entertain the possibility that a military victory might be the only factor that ensures both? Or are you accepting, until Democracy emerges from the ether, of the totalitarian type of stability? After all, it is true that there was much less insurgent activity under Saddam. . . .

    You’re treating this like a sporting event. LA Sucks! Nuggets Rule! Team USA!
    — The Nuggets?! Jeez! No wonder you’re FITH!

    One reason I’m in favor of immigration, even illegal immigration
    — It’s pretty much a non sequiter to say “I’m in favor of immigration”. The ravings of a few fringies in favor of completely ending legal immigration are just that – ravings. As for being in favor of illegal immigration – how about you travel out here to the Phoenix area? We have some rape victims plus two widows of slain police officers who would like to meet you.

    Anything that makes the population of this country less isolated and self-centered the better.
    — Stereotyping the ‘average American’, are we? I’d respond further, but my bitter clinginess prevents me.

    What percentage of the readers of this blog even have a passport?
    — Yes, we must all become citizens of the world. How could we, in our ignorant isolation, possibly hope to comprehend the complexity of life beyond our borders? It’s as if the entire nation lives in an ivory tower! [Well, not “ivory”, because that would be elitist . . . and not very P.C.]

    Icy Truth (7d05ae)

  43. Icy, what we need to know, is where can we apply for one of those U.N., Citizen of the World, passports?
    I want one!
    I need one!
    Does it come with a CCW and NFA permit too?
    Some places in the world are just not tourist-safe.

    Another Drew (0e4f52)

  44. “Passing through transportation hubs, hotels, bars and tourist attractions does not make the traveler any more capable of offering solutions to socio-political problems than someone who has not visited.”

    You’re right: being a traveller means for than being a tourist.
    But having a passport is a step in the right direction; and the percentage of citizens who have one is now about 25% with less than that actually using it.
    For the man who as US president supposedly “leads the free world” to be chosen by such a population is bizarre.
    If this were Russia you’d all be backing Putin to the hilt.
    Go Team!
    Sorry it I can’t do the same.

    JAR (08f6d2)

  45. Can someone decipher that for me?
    I was just a simple comm-analyst, this might take a PhD in cryptology?

    Another Drew (0e4f52)

  46. #46 – Another Drew – Your first error is the assumption that it contains information to be deciphered.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  47. creeptology more like it

    Icy Truth (7d05ae)

  48. Baby, you can drive my JAR –

    For the man who as US president supposedly “leads the free world” to be chosen by such a population is bizarre.
    — Hey. . . . ya know what? Come ‘ere; let me tell ya a little secret. . . . The man that develops accurate reliable multi-lingual corruption-free one-world-government voting software??? That man — guaranteed — becomes a billionaire. . . . Think about it.

    Then get to work on it.

    Then get back to us on it.

    If this were Russia you’d all be backing Putin to the hilt.
    — That’s right. Nobody better to become a conservative’s best friend than a Commie who longs for the good ol’ days.

    Icy Truth (7d05ae)

  49. You have to be pretty stupid to think that Hillary is going to vote for McCain.

    As someone who’s met and spoken with the woman it seems entirely plausible to me. There should be a picture of her next to spiteful in the dictionary.
    Not that it’d matter anyway, the drooling idiots down in NYC make voting for anyone but the donkey an exercise in futility.

    Taltos (4dc0e8)

  50. That’s why I’m pretty sure Hillary will vote for Obama. She has nothing to gain by voting for anyone else in a state he’s going to carry anyway. Her plan is for Obama to lose, of course, but for it not to be her fault. Obama has to fail on his own, or at least that’s how it has to look.

    Xrlq (b71926)

  51. That’s us. Bitter, clingy and stupid.

    Yeah, but at least he/she/it called you pretty.

    Xrlq (b71926)


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