Now, take a look at the issues here. What's fascinating is that the people now think the economy is the huge issue. We know that 33 -- the Iraq war is still up there, close to 20. Health care, of course, is always there, and gas and energy. You throw that on top of the economic issue, you'd have 40 percent there roughly.

Now, let's take a look at how the candidates do on the issues -- "Who do you trust more to handle?" And then this is -- we've done this before. Obama is killing him on the economy, killing him on health care, killing him on gas prices. McCain's got this almost inconsequential advantage of one point on Iraq.

OK, if that's all true, why is he only six points ahead,

Because your polls are worthless fodder fo making up news where there is none.

They certainly are. Wading through these useless polls in June is an exercise in futility, and it keeps the cable pundits chattering when there is little else to talk about.  Who can sit through show after show on the same stuff?  Wow.

Oh, thank heavens, for a second I thought we might mistakingly start talking about Matthews' misrepresentation of specific polls.

So talk about it Governor, with someone who shares your concern about Matthews' misrepresenting a poll five months before an election. 

Um... can you not read?  I'd rather not discuss that.  Let's just say polls stink like poo!

What Gov is pointing out (and what MMFA is also pointing out) is Matthews inconsistency between 6% being a substantial lead one day and an insignificant lead the next. 

Now, I never really believed Matthews to be a conservative, but man, I am starting to become a believer.

Fine, we all agree on the polls--let's focus on Matthew's inconsistent statements.

Now, I never really believed Matthews to be a conservative, but man, I am starting to become a believer.

 

I think he's just trying to make money.  In any event, I doubt Matthews would have thrown out a 6 point lead in a major poll if McCain was up 6%. 

How many sessions of listening to Matthews should it take a reasonably intelligent person to infer that he's not only conservative but a bigot as well?

Pure gospel, Tommy.

Polls are the like the #1 basic sustenance that keeps cable crap news breathing.  I think 2nd place goes to verbal gaffes from politicians, celebrities and fellow media heads.

I agree with your #1 and #2......let's see, what would be #3?  On O'Reilly it's half naked teenagers engaged in debauchery.  On Hannity it's liberals are radical evil non-patriots. For the moment, for the rest it's riveting speculation on the candidate's VP possibilities.

You forgot about a white woman (usually blonde) gone missing.  That seems to push everything else out of the cycle -- and rightly so!

Oh, another biggie...

"Studies" conducted by "think tanks." 

OK, if that's all true, why is he only six points ahead,

Because the 27%-ers who are ignorant to reality and will vote republican regardless of what is best for them due to the 3 G's.  They could by having their home foreclosed on, be un-insured, and pay $4/gallon for gas, but by golly their vote is going for the guy who like guns, hates gays, and prays to the Almighty (i.e. against abortion).

Obama is actually ahead by sixteen points, but Matthews hasn't learned to start counting on his toes yet. :)

Tweety's just not very good with statistics, or consistency.

Seeing as how there is no paper trail for the votes he's probably right.

My question is: Who is Matthews even talking too?

I sometimes feel sorry for Olbermann, having to be stuck working with Chris during elections and other political functions.

I have no doubt they get along outside work, but if I had to work daily with this guy......... yikes

 

It's a done deal (I think): this political media hack chris matthews gets the gloriously lucrative Meet The Press gig (I think: there's a 48 to 42 chance he gets that gig, with a 3 to 9 percent margin of error, of course)...

And if the political media hack chris matthews gets NBC's MTP job, you know what that means don't you?

Sainthood.

It means that when he dies, he gets a State Funeral like the other political media hack did... it means the Flags will be lowered to Half-Mast (I couldn't believe that, I thought it was a joke at first, that New York lowered the Flags for the passing of a political media hack), candle-light vigils, a solemn trumping of the airwaves 24 hours in solemn reflection of the great National loss... maybe even a horse-drawn cason, bearing a Flag-draped coffin, preceded by a riderless horse even (with empty boots stuck backwards in the stirrups: the Rites of some Funerals are strange, and not to be over-analyzed) 

These are the things, the Benefits and the Perks, that the political media hack chris matthews shall receive, should he get that glorious MTP gig (as I think he will)...

All that, plus probably a 5 million dollar raise in pay, over the 5 million that NBC already pays the political media hack chris matthews.

 

Sainthood: it's a strange Rite, not to be over-analyzed.

 

Dem2001, Which political hack are you referring to? Did Karl Rove or Dick Morris die?

Are you truly offended by the way the Media handled the death and funeral of Mr. Russert? Just asking. And I thought Williams got that job.

 

 

I referred only to two political media hacks: chris matthews, and the late Tim Russert.

Those other two guys you mentioned, I'd have described them differently: one is simply a Republican political operative on Fox (and in the rag Newsweek too I think), and the other I'd describe as the slimy stinking repulsive-looking dregs of the political media hack profession.

 

As for the way the broadcast media in general, and NBC and MSNBC in particular, are noting the passing of NBC employee Tim Russert: no, I'm not offended in the least, that's not the word... I'm variously amused and annoyed, by this strange overblown reaction to the heart attack death of an NBC political media hack... truly, they are talking about the guy as though he were a Head of State, or the Pope, or even a Humantarian or Civic leader or Political activist (the kind that works for People I mean, not for General Electric's division, NBC)...

It's strange: it's as though the passing of Tim Russert was a chance to imply things about him, in Memory, that that same broadcast media wishes to imply about themselves, in life and in Living Color: that they are Journalists, in the truth business, serving selflessly the American People...

And listening to such nonsense, makes me feel like I've stepped in something that I'd have to scrape off my shoe, before I went into the house, or stood anywhere within the smelling range of others...

Truly, it's as though the broadcast media is falling all over itself to describe Tim Russert in the same way they kid themselves (and us too maybe) into thinking that's what they are.

They think themselves equals to Popes and Heads of States, it seems... even equal to Humanitarians and Civic leaders and those who work for the People (instead of working for General Electric and rupert murdoch)...

No, I'm not offended by any of this. Yes, I am alternately amused and annoyed by it...

I'd also add that I feel an occasional tinge of nausea at it all, like the stomach-moving reaction you sometimes have to certain smells and stenchs that sting the nostrils... the kind of smell that makes you look down at the soles of your up-turned shoes, to see if you had stepped in something...

But no, nothing there to scrape off.

It's just television, making an overblown Memorial of one of their own: and by inference it seems, glorifying themselves, in life, and in Living Color...

 

NBC

 

 -- and by inference it seems, glorifying themselves, in life, -- demo

I think that makes a lot of sense. Russert, by the judgement of most of his peers, was the journalist that they all hoped to be like...and the majority wouldn't make a pimple on Russert's ass.

Yet, the fawning and accolades spewed, sure looked like a bunch of hacks cozying up to the righeous image on Russert...in the hopes that some of his earned respect would rub off " and by inference it seems, glorifying themselves, in life".

Yeah, I think you got it right. 

 

I did get it right. And by the way, Tim Russert was not a Journalist: not a single day in his life, was he ever employed as a Journalist, or ever practiced the art of Journalism.

 

Why don't you save your misguided contempt for the living, otherwise you just look small.

 -- not a single day in his life, was he ever employed as a Journalist, or ever practiced the art of Journalism. -- demo

A few of the awards Russert won for journalism: 

  -- Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence in Television Journalism...the American Legion Journalism Award,  the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Journalism Award,  the Allen H. Neuharth Award for Excellence in Journalism,

While I agreed with you on your assessment of the performance of Russert's peers and cohorts...your latent and angry obsession with bashing Russert makes you come off as pretty weak.

I'll just put you back on the "scroll past" list for inane posts...could be why hardly anyone ever responds to your long winded diatribes. 

 

...and he'll probably get the Medal of Freedom, posthumously, from George W. Bush.

Because it's true, isn't it, that the awards and trophies and plaques and medallions they give to one another in Washington D.C., through the many assosciations and organizations and guilds and projects they set up for just that purpose...

Those Awards prove a man's worth, don't they?

It doesn't matter what a man does in this life: don't even waste your time measuring him that way...

What Washington D.C. groups gave the high-profile on-air employee of General Electric's NBC an award with the word "Journalist" or "Journalism" in it?

 

There's the proof.

The only proof you provided was about your "latent and angry obsession with bashing Russert".

Thanks for making that point perfectly obvious.

Well King, this case is closed. 

Not that I'm implying you're confusing another poster with me, but just in case, I'm on your side in this one Wesley. (And truth be told, I'm not a real king)

LOL...I getcha.

The quote comes from an old time TV show about Sgt.Preston of the Mounties and his faithful dog Yukon King.  At the end of each show...after dispatching the usual band of ruffians...Sgt.Preston would kneel down and say to his dog...Well King, this case is closed.

 

I can't believe I missed that one. I was a big fan of Sgt. Preston's and King's when I was a kid in the fifties.

I get your drift, dem ;-) I share your thoughts to a point. The press continues its obsession with itself and it coverage of important issues continues to shrink.

However, one a soul passes on to the higher worlds (believe it or no), I think it's a good thing to pause, give dignity to that which was positive in that life in some manner, refrain from trashing the person, and move on to confront those still living here who are misbehaving.

Agree, it's called respect for human life.  If you can't refrain from trashing someone after they've died, perhaps it's better to say nothing.

I totally agree

 

You're over-reacting to and misperceiving what I wrote: outside of referring to Tim Russert as a political media hack (which is exactly truly precisely what he was), I didn't "trash" anybody... and your words and your observations are truly worthless, if you think simply calling Tim Russert a political media hack (which is what he was) is "trashing" him.

 

Get over yourself.  What, you jealous that Russert apparently touched more lives than your sorry#ss ever will? That his passing is mourned and will be remembered, but yours won't.  You sound like a petulant school girl who's jealous of the attention that a prettier girl gets . ..

 

Tim Russert "touched" your life, through the television?

A political media hack employed by General Electric's division NBC "touched" your life, through the television?

 

I didn't say that he touched my life.  But a lot of people liked and respected him. Obviously you didn't.  Now he's dead and it makes you feel good to call him a hack and suggest that he's undeserving of the praise. If it bothers you that for a few days or weeks people will make much hoopla over Russert's untimely death, then you need to find some hobbies 

 

I said Tim Russert was a political media hack for General Electric's division NBC: I said it because he was, and it's the truth.

I've said nothing else about the man. Don't misinterpret what I said about television... I said one thing and one thing only about Tim Russert: that he was a political media hack.

Look back at my comments... check your own imagination.

 

Tim Russert "touched" your life, through the television?

Dem, I spent many mornings watching Tim Russert, he was apart of my Sunday morning ritual, like my newspaper and coffee. While I didn't know Tim Russet personally, it will be strange not hearing his voice on my TV Sunday morning.

And while his passing is not like losing family or a close friend, it's still a loss. It's not political, it's the loss of a good man from the human race who was a hell of a lot more than political commentator. 

 

Excellent point Pearl.

I can appreciate that.

I don't stare much at television myself, and when I do it's rarely at Tim Russert or the type of shows he was on... but still, I hear of the broadcast words and opinions of the man, second hand, from a website I visit often.

 

Russert persisted in questioning Obama on Farrakhan -- even after his repeated "denunciation[s]" of Farrakhan's "unacceptable and reprehensible" comments [That's a headline to an item at the website I refer to]

RUSSERT: The problem some voters may have is, as you know, Reverend Farrakhan called Judaism "gutter religion." [That's just a single example of something Tim Russert confronted Sen. Obama about, during a presidential debate, from the item mentioned previously]

 

Russert: Giuliani will get support in FL from "people who still have memories of September 11th" [That's another headline at the website I visit]

CHRIS MATTHEWS (host of MSNBC's Hardball): Who is McCain's base? I mean, if he does begin to look like the leader of this party, what's his base?

RUSSERT: Veterans. [That's from the aforementioned item: there's much more that Tim Russert said though]

 

Russert misrepresented Dems' Iraq statements to suggest shift in "emphasis" from previous debate [Another headline]

 

Russert still cherry-picking polls to claim Giuliani beating Clinton [Headline]

 

After repeatedly asking Obama about Farrakhan during debate, Russert ignored guest's reference to Hagee's endorsement of McCain on Meet the Press [Headline]

 

Russert suggested GOP would run ads against Obama featuring "Pledge of Allegiance" charge without noting it's false [Headline]

And from that particular item...

RUSSERT: ...Democrats fear Republicans in the fall will string together an ad which shows Michelle Obama saying that she really never had pride in America until this campaign, when Barack Obama's running. Barack Obama with his hands clasped in front of him rather than holding his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. Barack Obama not wearing a flag pin. Barack Obama talking about clinging to faith and to guns. Suggesting -- Barack Obama meeting with Bill Ayers, a former Weatherground Underman -- Weatherman Underground figure. Are you concerned that all those kinds of issues could be strung together to create an impression of Obama that would make him almost unelectable to a lot of swing voters?

 

I'm actually surprised at how well-liked Tim Russert was by you all. Me, I not only had a different opinion of him than you all did, but I have a different opinion of the television medium, and the many political media hacks it employs...

You should visit the website I'm referring to, and from which I get the words and opinions of the political media hack who worked for General Electric's NBC, Tim Russert.

 

You might never stare-look at television, or political media hacks, the same again.

 

 

 

 

 

Dem, you can't hate every person you disagree with, IMO life would be pretty boring.

I'm not saying Russert was perfect or that I agreed with him always but he was a decent man. 

Mr. Russert was a good father, good son, good friend, a good colleague.

But when it came to punditry, he was a hack.  And since he's being so revered by the Washington press corps, he must have been the top hack of them all.

"You're over-reacting to and misperceiving what I wrote: outside of referring to Tim Russert as a political media hack (which is exactly truly precisely what he was), I didn't "trash" anybody... and your words and your observations are truly worthless, if you think simply calling Tim Russert a political media hack (which is what he was) is "trashing" him."

You're out of line Dem. Mary doesnt deserve that.

I think calling a friends opinion "worthless" is a bit harsh. Your opinion differs.

You can respectfully disagree. You can also respectfully discuss someone's life after they die. Name-calling isn't the way to do it. Giving examples of why you feel that way would help, but now is not the time for that.

“It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying so to live that our death brings no pleasure to the world.”

-John Steinbeck (East of Eden)

 

Agreed: where I referred to "worthless" words and observations, I was only trying to emphasize that I was not "trashing" anybody by saying they were a political media hack, and that any observation that I was, was...

Strike the word "worthless": I apologize.

 

If your comment is meant to imply I am being disrespectful, I disagree.

I have respect for People I know, and for People I do not know also, when I know of their good works, or of the other good things they do... I have love and admiration and respect and affection, for many People I know, and always for the things they do. 

I not only feel little or nothing for television personalities, but I don't care to even fake like I do... and when those television personalities are political media hacks, then that's how I judge them: on what it is they do.

My love respect admiration affection and grief, are all reserved for People I know, and for the things I know them to do, or to be.

 

Tim Russert was a television personality political media hack in the employ of General Electric's division NBC. I neither knew him, nor ever cared to. He did nothing whatsoever for me or anyone I know... or even for the American People... not that I can see, not ever.

 

I don't know that people are trashing him. They are just pointing out that the coverage is over the top and Russert wasn't as objective as they say.

He was a better person than you, Dem.

No, he wasn't.

 

Unless you have intimate knowledge of Dem's life, Dex, I'm going to dismiss your statement as completely worthless. It has no basis in anything besides your childish desire to snipe at Dem.

Tim Russert was, by all accounts, a good man and a good father. But he's completely undeserving of all this fawning media coverage. Good people die of heart attacks every day, and they don't get round-the-clock TV coverage. 

Bless the man and his family, and move along. 

Who are you to say, in your typical arrogant fashion, what Russert deserves or doesn't deserve?  If you don't care to listen or watch any of the coverage of his death or his memorial services that followed, then don't.  

Why is Dave's opinion "arrogant"?  Your opinions always seem to be outside the realm of evaluation ("We disagree" "That's my opinion, live with it", etc  etc etc), yet you have no trouble suggesting that others have some reason to be ashamed of their opinions.  Which is it, do opinions have merits (in which case you have to justify yours) or are they beyond any analysis (in which case you can't possibly criticize what Dave said)?

Just conservative should not be allowed to discuss economics if (1) they know nothing about economics themselves or (2) their audience does not, the same be said of Mathews (and the MSM in general) with regards to STATISTICS.

OH MY GOD I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! MSNBC IS SO HOT BECAUSE THE PHONE AND EMAILS ARE GOING OFF 24/7 BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE HOW THEY WILL CALL OBAMA A FLIPFLOPPER BUT SAYS NOTHING WHEN MCCAIN DOES IT. CAN'T WAITE TO SEE KEITH TONIGHT!!! HE NEEDS TO NAME THE MEDIA PRINT, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, NBC,CBS AND FOX WORST PERSON!!!!!

Why are you shouting?

With a little adjusting, Rachel Maddow would be perfect to take over the empty chair on "Meet the Press."

Rachel Maddow - brilliant!

I hadn't considered her, but yea, I love her work. She's extremely bright and funny. They should at least give her a trial to see if it works.

 

Maddow's as smart as they come, but I like her better when she's arguing, as opposed to moderating. Not long ago I saw her fill in for David Gregory and didn't think it suited her because she tried to be the objective moderator.   I like it better when she butts heads with people, like Buchanan and Carlson . . ..

MMFA should concentrate more on exposing Malicious LIARS like Sean Hannity. I cannot remember any time in which Mr. Hannity has spoken a single honest word.



Pointing out every inconsistancy in a broadcaster's content is not productive.

You mean mister "America is the best and greatest country in the history of the world on the face of the earth forever and ever"?

Ya'll should check out the Colbert segment on him from last night.  it's hilarious.

I caught that, DB, good stuff. The Grampy green screen challenge is starting off pretty good too. The Pulp Fiction one is my fave so far.

I couldn't find the Pulp Fiction McCain but loved the Super McCain Brothers video game, bookended by that befuddled, old fart, Bill O'Reilly.

Hey, WK, I couldn't find it earlier, but here's the pulp fiction bit.

Thank you Colonel. Let's hope that by next January McCain will have nothing better to do but "walk the earth".

>>Pointing out every inconsistancy in a broadcaster's content is not productive.

Actually it is since Mathews has undeserved credibility.

Any poll that separates the economy from the Iraq occupation is bogus.  Our economy is sinking in large part because of the war. 

 I agree that Russert's funeral coverage was way over the top. It reminded me of President Reagan's coverage where only the most laudable comments about him were on display.

Tim Russert started out as a political operative, so maybe MTP should now be hosted by Gearge Stephanopholus.

 

The last thing I remember about Tim Russert's on air comments was that he thought that more time should be devoted to substantial instead of tabloid issues.  After he said this he devoted about 18 seconds of air time to serious issues before he returned to the fluff.   

"OK, if that's all true, why is he only six points ahead"

How many points does he need to be ahead to win?