MSNBC Anchor Takes GOP Congressman Off His Tax Cut Talking Points

Congressman McCarthy had a lot of trouble holding the party line on tax cuts on MSNBC. Instead of the anchor just saying "uh huh" to the daily digest of RNC talking points, she questioned what he was saying and McCarthy couldn't manage to keep it on message. Aww, too bad Congressman!

Dan Abrams Signing Off

I have admired Dan Abrams' efforts at exposing the illegalities of the Bush Administration for the last few months, so it is sad to see him go. The last episode deals with his signing statements, former Justice O'Connor's opinion of it and the weak non-attempt Congressional Democrats made at doing something about it.



Of course, it isn't all bad, since he's going to be replaced by the incredibly awesome Rachel Maddow starting on September 8th!

Olbermann Strikes Back At Fox News

Go get em' K.O! Show the world Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch, Bill O'Reilly et. al for the scum that they truly are:

OIbermann Hits Murdoch Back Over Crazy Comment

Fox News and MSNBC have been scrapping against each other for a while but as of late things are starting to get personal. Bill O'Reilly and Olbermann have been going at it but now it is Murdoch himself who is trying to knock the phenom of MSNBC. Wednesday night Murdoch called Keith crazy and alluded that that was the reason he "fired" him all those years ago. Well Keith couldn't resist but inject a little truth into the situation.

From NY Mag:

The latest skirmish in the war between Keith Olbermann and News Corp. comes by way of Rupert Murdoch himself. According to TVNewser, at The Wall Street Journal's "All Things Digital" conference last night, a reporter asked the Fox overlord if he would ever hire Olbermann. "No, I fired him five years ago," Murdoch replied. "He was crazy." Olbermann wrote a lengthy response to TVNewser, explaining the circumstances of his departure. It turns out that back in 2001 when he hosted baseball programming for Fox, Olbermann discovered that Murdoch was thinking of selling the Los Angeles Dodgers. Before reporting the story (which he had on good authority), he checked with Murdoch's PR man. Explains the MSNBC Countdown host:

I said, in short, this is your candy store, if you don't want me to run this, I'm not running it, and I'm not leaking it, but at minimum you should know the story's out there. And the guy's answer was, thanks for thinking of us, here's our official denial, please report it and whatever your sources tell you, just please make clear that none of your sources are within the company (baseball was, and is, extremely touchy about when a team is, or isn't, "officially" for sale, and woe betide the owner who makes a deal before the "officially" kicks in). So I ran the Dodgers-Are-Unofficially-For-Sale story (with the "the sources aren't NewsCorp" caveat taking almost as long as the story itself) and everything was swell.

Needless to say, Olbermann was fired shortly after. He later heard that it was because of the Dodgers story. Not one to miss a good jab, though, he ended his e-mail to TVNewser with a classic self-referential thrust. "As to the 'crazy' part, he had to pay me $800,000 for the rest of 2001, and lord knows how many tens of millions I've helped MSNBC take out of his pocket ever since," he writes. "So: who's crazy?"

Murdoch isn't crazy, though getting rid of Keith wasn't his best move. Words describing Murdoch are more along the lines of "greedy," "sinister," "monopolist" and "propaganda provider." Thanks for setting the record straight Mr. Olbermann.

Matthews Admits Media's Pro-War Bias

Those of us on the left have known about the media's true bias for sometime now. Though finally we have someone that admitted to the pro-war bias shown in cable, print and network news since the run up to the Iraq war. None other than Chris "Tweety Bird" Matthews fessed up and noted that it came from high up in the organization.

From The Huffington Post:

In a speech at Harvard's Institute of Politics on Monday, Chris Matthews admitted that MSNBC bosses were "basically pro-war during the war." The remark came in a larger discussion of top-down editorial control at the network — of which Matthews claimed there was none, citing the fact that many of his bosses supported Hillary Clinton while he has been very vocal for Obama.

His full statement, in response to a question whether MSNBC officially supports Obama (via Politico's Michael Calderone):

"Well, it's not official." (LAUGH) "Well, I don't think Joe Scarborough has. And I don't think Tucker Carlson did. And Keith does his thing. He does his thing--it's something and it's very successful. I do my thing. I don't think that's true. I think... my sense is that everybody that lives in New York is for Hillary. The people I work with--all my bosses--seem to be for Hillary. I just sense it. They don't actually say it, but there's no sense from the top I can tell you that it's pro-Obama.. by any means. That's not what I get. And it was basically pro-war during the war.. the bosses were. And I was up against that. And if there's anybody telling me to push Obama, I haven't heard it yet. And by the way, they're so fickle.... but there seems to be a New York thing about Hillary. Just the people from... it's like the Yankees and the Mets... it's their thing. You know? It's Hillary. You know? And I feel it. I find it. It's hard to figure sometimes. But I don't know who you are talking about. I know who you are talking about."

Chris starts to confuse himself at the end, but the truth did slip out. One of those "at the top" is his idol and NBC icon Tim Russert. He of course, has a show called "Meet The Press" that helps to set the media narrative across the country. Chris tried to make excuses for the media's pro-war, pro-corporate America bias, but no one is buying it anymore. When you tell someone that the same company that owns your network is a major defense contractor as well, it isn't hard for them to put the pieces together and say "Hmmm."

Chuck Todd Interjects Some Reason On Hillary's "Win"

No matter what, if Hillary Clinton wants to win, she'll have to thwart the will of the voters. It is that simple.

The Debate

Thankfully its the last, enjoy:

Good For You Hillary

I know I don't say it much, but I'd like to congratulate the Senator from my state for taking a principled action on behalf of her daughter today. You see, David Shuster's comments the other night about the Clinton family pimping her daughter out were out of line. His pathetic attempt at an apology wasn't much better. So Hillary took the right action and canceled her appearance on MSNBC for a scheduled debate.

From The Huffington Post:

SEATTLE — A distasteful comment about Chelsea Clinton by an MSNBC anchor could imperil Hillary Rodham Clinton's participation in future presidential debates on the network, a Clinton spokesman said.

In a conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson on Friday excoriated MSNBC's David Shuster for suggesting the Clinton campaign had "pimped out" 27-year old Chelsea by having her place phone calls to celebrities and Democratic Party "superdelegates" on her mother's behalf.

Wolfson called Shuster's comment "beneath contempt" and disgusting.

"I, at this point, can't envision a scenario where we would continue to engage in debates on that network," he added.

I wouldn't want to go on MSNBC either, especially when you have buffoons like Chris Matthews who can't keep that misogynistic bullshit to himself and insists on continuing to attack Hillary for being a woman. Damnit Chris, there are plenty of reasons to go after her, but leave that stone age man thing at home. Then when you tack on David Shuster and Andrea Mitchell, the bloviating opinions would be too much for anyone to bear, even Mrs. Clinton.

Now if she would rescind her request to debate on Fox News, that would be real progress for her.

Chris Matthews Has His Panties All In A Bunch

How's that for a little gender joke Chris? You like to make fun of women like Hillary and conduct yourself in a crude manner around women on your show, well why don't you just shove it. Turns out your 'friend' on the election night specials has saved the network from your inane commentary and an executive at MSNBC has sold you down the river.

From MediaBistro:

If MSNBC anchor Keith Olbermann were to write a book about Office Politics 101, he'd call it "Do As I Write, Not As I Did for 20 Years." Olbermann discusses office politics and other issues in the February issue of Men's Journal magazine, out yesterday.

In the interview with Paul Tullis, one focus is Olbermann's habit of, "trashing people publicly, even his employers."

But he seems to be doing well for himself in the office now. Tullis cites a senior executive at MSNBC, who says, "Keith runs MSNBC. It's been an amazing turnaround, because two years ago they were going to cancel him. Because of his success, he's in charge. Chris Matthews is infuriated by it."

The article also touches on Olbermann's goals, in the context of his main competition, Fox News Channel. "I'd like it to be the accurate counterweight to Fox. My attitude is not to counterbalance them because they're conservatives; it's counterbalancing because some of their stuff is outlandishly in violation of every tenet of responsible broadcasting," he says.

Awww, why so upset Chrissy? Is that bruised ego of yours actually bigger than your fat head? Get over it quick, or (hopefully) you'll find yourself out of a job.

You Call This A Debate?

First of all, shame on MSNBC for this pathetic format. Lincoln and Douglas would roll over in their graves if they knew what the media calls "debate" these days. Seriously, why is there a lightening round? What's next, starting a show called "Who wants to be our next President Idol"?
And of course Hillary was placed in the middle with Edwards and Obama at her side. I'd rather see Dodd or Kucinich placed in that center spot...and where the hell is Gravel, if he wants to make a fool of himself on Primetime then let him.

Basically these two hours of my life spent watching this debate theater was nothing more than getting some amusement. I particularly liked Joe Biden's highlight about Giuliani:

Biden: Rudy Giuliani is probably the most underqualified person since George Bush to run for president. He can only say 3 things in a sentence: a noun, a verb, and 9/11. "This man is truly not qualified to be president. I'm looking forward to running against Rudy Giuliani."

Hell yeah! Thats the spirit I want to hear in all of seven of these people. I don't know who won this thing, but I must say that Richardson completely blew it. Mr. "We need a diplomat and I am a you-know-what" should bow out quickly and look to run for Senate next year. We need a strong candidate in New Mexico for that open race and he'd be perfect for that.

One candidate I did like was Kucinich. I know he doesn't have a shot in hell at winning (though at least he wasn't placed all the way on the side by MSNBC) but he has the money answers. Not-for-profit health care, consistent stand against the war in Iraq and pointing out that it was all about oil are exactly the things they all should be saying. I still have a problem with his anti-choice record, but you can't always get everything you want in a candidate. Still, he doesn't have a shot in hell.

So what dramatic change will happen in the polls and the media narrative tomorrow?

Absolutely zip, zilch, zero.

Matt Drudge Desperately Needs A Mirror

Pseudo-journalist Matt Drudge took it upon himself to lambast Keith Olbermann on his radio show Sunday. What for you ask? The alleged phoniness of Keith's show and the operation over at MSNBC. Drudge dove into the attack after talking about the Venezuelan government shutting down a private radio station. What Hugo Chavez did was wrong, but how that connects to Keith, only the complicated mind of Matt Drudge knows that one.

From ThinkProgress:

DRUDGE: When we start hearing that the National Guard is seizing television stations, alright then I’m on board. Then I’m on board, Olbermann. Until then, it’s all pancake, makeup, and Edward R. Murrow good night and good luck and all… you know. Camp. Camp! That’s the right word to describe what’s being peddled over there at MSNBC. Complete and utter camp.

OLBERMANN (voice over): “Good night and good luck.”

DRUDGE: And some people are taking it seriously because they think it’s on TV so it has to be real. Please. And then they take off the hair, they take off the teeth, and they peel the face off — and then it’s you know, it’s all this phony — phony lights, phony music, and everything there.

I think Drudge is starting to lose it. Since he can't get anymore scoops these days (at least not anything credible) he is lashing out at anyone who calls him on his crap. Fox pulled his own TV show a long time ago and must be jealous that Countdown is doing so well. Hey Matt, maybe that has something to do with Keith telling the truth while you just make most of your sh*t up.

Stephanie Miller Fills In For Imus At MSNBC

Whenever a radio personality as big as Imus was drops off the airwaves, there is always a gap to be filled. While MSNBC looks for a permanent replacement for their morning show, a breath of fresh air is going to be on TV Monday through Wednesday of next week. The extremely talented Stephanie Miller from Jones radio will have her syndicated broadcast televised for the cable news network, allowing their audience a taste of what many liberal radio affiliates have been enjoying for quite some time now.

People who listen in on Stephanie are never disappointed. She delivers the news with a sharp wit and a good staff that backs her up as she goes after the villains making headlines. Stephanie isn't shy with her crushes either, which includes MSNBC's own Keith Olbermann. Being so close to Keith for three days must have made her day or even her week.

If you like what see and hear, make sure you let MSNBC know about it. Having her permanently on the network would be a fabulous site to see. Her affiliation list is growing by the month, so if a national audience were to get her on TV the response would be fantastic for her affiliate representatives to get new stations to add.

Bye Bye Imus

Wow, he is finally gone. No more racial insults parading as comedy, the ridiculous antics shuttered and the Stetson hat is no more. CBS followed MSNBC's example yesterday and fired Don Imus from his popular show. This wasn't about ratings, the guy had 2.25 million listeners a week. So do I take back what I said earlier about the corporate decision being about money? No way.

Here's why: Having millions of listeners is great but the reason why you want them is to get big name advertisers to shell out gobs of cash for listeners to hear their ads on the air. Unfortunately for CBS, big names such as American Express and GM were running away from Imus because of the monstrous public outrage towards the shock jock. Once the big names went, so did the rest of the sponsors. When you can't make money from a show its worthless, despite the value of the content. It really is all about the almighty dollar.

Gingrich A Hypocrite? No Way!

Calling Newt a hypocrite would be like calling the sky blue on a clear day, or predicting that the s would rise after the night. The clearest case of his 'the pot calling the kettle black' is over marital infidelity. As you may remember, Newt was one of Bill Clinton's most ardent opponents when he raised the issue of impeaching Bill over the Monica Lewinsky scandal nearly 10 years ago.

Now that Newt wants to run for President, he wants to make an early admission of his own affair that went on at the same time as Clinton's impeachment proceedings. Newt may be a 'social conservative' on the issues like gay marriage, but in his own life he is an adulterer and currently on his third wife, after leaving the first one while she was sick in the hospital. Quite the pious man Newt is.

MSNBC took an in-depth look at Newt's admission in an interview with Focus on the Family's James Dobson:

Keith Olbermann: Profiling The Countdown King

CBS This Morning recently did an excellent interview with Keith Olbermann of MSNBC. From childhood to his sports broadcasting career and onto his journalistic feats today, Keith has come a long way from ESPN. His special comments are nothing short of spectacular and take on the corrupt and malignant Bush Adminstration as no one else does. Keith truly brings the idea of the 'Fourth Estate' alive in America while others simply sit back and print what government officials tell them to.

Mike Jones Responds: Calls Haggard's BS

The miraculous recovery story of Ted Haggard has lived to see another day. Mike Jones, the former male prostitute that had a relationship with Ted went on MSNBC and told the cable news network that Ted is definitely a gay man. See Ted, it is okay to be who you are, stop pretending to hide in that glass closet of yours.

From Mike's interview:

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First of all we know that Haggard's claim that he was convinced of his heterosexuality is absolute nonsense. The thing we can't be certain of is whether Jones was his only partner. Well Mike also noted that he heard at least two other people admit to fooling around with the ex-minister though they haven't come forward yet.

From Rawstory:

In response to one of Haggard's counselor's claims that Haggard's activities were not a "constant thing," Jones explained that he could only speak to the time he spent with Haggard and that had an ongoing sexual relationship with the minister and that their time together "indicated a gay man to me." Jones also shared that he had heard from two other individuals that claimed they had encounters with Haggard. Those accusers, Jones asserted, have chosen to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs.

I wonder if Ted had reached out to those that had encounters with him and scared them out of coming forward. Hopefully those two or more may have the courage to bring Ted to his senses and help him see that lying and promoting the absurd notion that you can be prayed into heterosexuality is wrong.

Boston Goes Beserk

Two men were arrested in conjunction with the melee that brought Boston to it's knees yesterday. The chaos was caused by Boston authorities over-reacting to an ad campaign promoting a cartoon show. During the 'news conference' where the media tried to portray them as playing a hoax, the two young guys made fools of the press that have helped the city of Boston make this event into a serious matter.

The only thing that is serious about yesterday was that the police and the press in Boston 'blew' a cartoon promo way out of proportion. Perhaps they should see how we handled the advertisements here in New York and several other cities. Another serious matter to be discussed are the hair-styles of the 1970s, watch below to join in.

Olbermann Smacks Fox News

This clip is from earlier in the week, but definitely worth watching. First he slams the new Faux News promo and then goes into the worst people of the world. Another beautiful segment by Keith.

Libby Claims He Took The Blame For Rove

The trial is just under way and the fireworks have already begun. The defense's opening statement portrays Libby as the set-up guy to protect Bush-Brain Karl Rove from taking the heat over leaking information to the press. Oh goodie, it is a bad day to be a Republican, ain't it?

From MSNBC (video included):

In their opening statements, Libby's attorneys said Bush administration officials tried to blame him for the leak to cover up for presidential adviser Karl Rove’s own disclosures.

Attorney Theodore Wells said Libby went to Cheney in 2003 and complained that the White House was subtly blaming him for leaking Plame’s identity to columnist Robert Novak.

“They’re trying to set me up. They want me to be the sacrificial lamb,” Wells said, recalling the alleged conversation between Libby and Cheney. “I will not be sacrificed so Karl Rove can be protected.”

As you can see from the top of the article, Special Prosecutor Patrick 'Fitzmas' Fitzgerald states otherwise, claiming that Libby constantly lied to save his own ass. When you make up a story in front of Federal investigators and a grand jury, expect to be grilled by skilled attorneys like Fitzgerald.

Tweety Fawns Over Hillary: An SNL Perspective

This casts Darrell Hammond as Chris Matthews of MSNBC and Amy Poehler playing Hillary. Hammond works his usual genius in imitating Tweety, but Poehler nails Hillary. I couldn't stop laughing when she did the 'Hillary laugh.' It was right on, from the sound to the mannerisms.

From Raw Story:

"You're great!" says Hammond several times in Matthews' recognizable accent to Poehler's Clinton. As "Matthews" is about to ask "Clinton" some questions about Iraq, she sifts through his questions until she finds one she feels comfortable with.

"I think most Democrats know me," she says at one point. "They understand that my support for the war was always insincere." Later she goes on a profane, censored "tirade."