Thu, Feb 7, 2008 4:25pm ET

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MSNBC's Brzezinski asked if McCain is "the perfect candidate" without disclosing that her brother advises him

Summary: On Morning Joe, Mika Brzezinski asked presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin: "[A]t this moment in history, isn't John McCain the perfect candidate to deal with what challenges we face as a country, and given the presidency that is just coming to a close right now?" At no point during the segment, however, did Brzezinski disclose that her brother is a McCain adviser.
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Posted by nerzog

Let the shilling begin.

Posted by tex in reply to nerzog

So, a "perfect candidate" is one who is LOATHED by his own party's BASE??!?

Who knew? 

Posted by johnny_nyc8351

"...isn't John McCain the perfect candidate to deal with what challenges we face as a country, and given the presidency that is just coming to a close right now?

Forget her brother's connection to the McCain campaign, this question was worthy of an infomercial not political coverage.

Posted by Dem02020 in reply to johnny_nyc8351

 

"Infomercial" is exactly what it is, and it's just about all that these cable outlets are ever running, when they pretend to be "reporting" on the presidential campaign.

Two things to note: One, you referred to what this hack said as being a question. In truth it's not a question at all, but a statement, disguised as a question, to hide the intention of the one making the statement. It hides the biased promotional effort for a political candidate, behind the contrived appearance of "curiousity" or "inquisitiveness" or even "investigation" (yeah right, let's get an investigation going into the matter of Mr. McCain being a "perfect candidate").

It's not a question, but an excuse to utter these exact words in this exact manner:

"...John McCain the perfect candidate to deal with what challenges we face as a country"

BANG! The moment the hack said those words, her mission was accomplished.

The other thing I'd note is the completely phony self-serious considerate thoughtful introspective "inquisitive" manner which the hack-woman affects, in "asking" Ms. Kearns Goodwin this phony "question"...

Watch it in the video. It's bad acting, pure and simple. She's drawing out the words as though they were all just now being formed in her "inquisitive" mind...

What a sham of an act.

Even those sales hacks on those infomercials that at least honestly profess their intent up-front (the ones for excercise equipment and kitchen gadgets), even those hacks are better actors than this phony woman, and her drawn-out self-serious "question" to Ms. Goodwin.

 

Posted by carlileb5935 in reply to Dem02020

The whole Morning Joe crowd is beyond belief. Today I tuned in when they started-- immediate Hillary bashing and ridicule. really nasty stuff- and I'm not much of  a Clinton fan-- not liberal enough for me.

The way they were acting, you would have thought Hillary was Brittany Spears. She couldn't do anything right.

I went away for an hour, tuned in again-- they were STILL AT IT!

Regardless of your candidate, this entire MSNBC network is despicable. But the MJ crowd-- what ugliness and nastiness, and so early in the morning. A vile crowd they are-- their cynicism and ugliness is downright creepy. 

Posted by pithaughn in reply to carlileb5935

Is there a morning show that does not assault ones intellignce? My wife insists on having the tv on to catch the weather, and thus subjects us to the most inane and insanely trivial content. Only CNN has a barely tolerable program.

Posted by jeter2

I watch Morning Joe. Mika should have disclosed this fact, but just to be FAIR, she usually does mention it, just like she mentions her Dad supports Obama.

Posted by tommy in reply to jeter2

J,

I never watch this program, but I trust your fairness and judgement in putting this "misinformation" in its proper perspective.  One might jump to the conclusion that this "deception" is the norm, instead of an exception. 

Appreciate it.

 

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to tommy

One might, but is that MMfA's fault?  They're just posting the misinformation.

Posted by tommy in reply to dbeden4153

Context is important, as is historical relevance.  It would be nice if it was included here.

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to tommy

That's true, but I don't think it's their place to provide that.  However, I don't think her failure to disclose her brother's affiliations with the party was worth mentioning in the first place, especially since she discloses it rather often, according to Jeter.  I mean, I even knew her brother worked for the campaign, and I've never watched the show.  

To be fair to MMfA though, strict journalism standards do dictate that you must disclose information that is a conflict of interest to the story you are reporting.  But since when does MSNBC adhere to strict journalism standards?  Or any cable news show for that matter? 

Posted by tommy in reply to dbeden4153

I hear ya.  But instead of trying to paint the "misinformer" in the worst possible light, in this instance by not letting the reader here know that this is an exception, based on their monitoring of these shows, rather than leave that out altogether, just seems a tad unfair.

Why not just include that in the copy they write?  Enhances credibility, that's for sure. 

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to tommy

well Tommy, I guess we got caught not reading the threads.  It's there, like 3rd paragraph or so

Posted by tommy in reply to dbeden4153

You are so right.  I apologize for not doing so, my bad.

Posted by friedbergboy1422 in reply to tommy

Hi Tommy and Jeter,

The problem I have is that for people who aren't regular watchers of the show and tune in to hear that even one time.  I think if you have such close involvement and are going to promote yourself as a "news" show, you have to bat 1.000 on this kind of thing.

Posted by funnyguy45 in reply to friedbergboy1422

I have been waiting to see how long it would take for Mika to make the news for her remarkably unprofessional behavior and/or manner. I find her fidgety, squirming presence more than a little

disturbing. She always seems as if she is in need of a nicotine fix or a bathroom break. A train wreck waiting to happen for some time now, in my opinion.

Posted by jjamele2880 in reply to dbeden4153

Why are you bothering to respond to Mr. "Why is this here?"  To the best of my recollection, Tommy has never approved of any MMFA story.  I'm just amazed that there is actually someone out there who thinks that it's his job to whine "this isn't misinformation" several times a day.

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to jjamele2880

I have argued with Tommy on a number of topics, and I believe we have come to an understanding here.  I understand your concern, but I can stick up for myself.  

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to jjamele2880

And besides, what fun is it discussing stuff with someone who you generally agree with?

Posted by tbone

Not withstanding the lack of full disclosure, Brzezinski's statement juxtaposes two contradictory thoughts and presents them as congruent.  Given the presidency coming to a close . . . domestic, foreign, and fiscal policy disaster.  At this moment in history isn't John McCain the perfect candidate?  Only if you want to continue/exacerbate these disastrous policies.

Nov 08, cast a vote for accountability. 

Posted by Marker

A vote for McCain is a vote for Shrub, so in her mind the shrub is the perfect candidate. Hmmm lets see how that plays in November.

Posted by hstybuf6553

McCain wins, Dumbo loses, that's how it plays in November.

Posted by nerzog in reply to hstybuf6553

McCain wins; we all lose. We continue to pour billions into Dumbya's rathole in Iraq. Another Troglodyte, maybe two, gets appointed to the Supreme Court.

Posted by dbeden4153 in reply to hstybuf6553

Dumbo?  Are you making fun of Obama somehow?  Or Clinton?  I don't really get it (nor do I think I want to.)

For a lawyer, you sure are childish.

And for the record, when the Democrats have twice as many people voting in their primaries as the Republicans do, that's a pretty good sign of things to come.

And how is McCain going to win if his own party is disowning him?

Oh, and don't forget the fact that the GOP is now being investigated for voter fraud from the past 8 years.  Hope they don't have any skeletons in their closet...

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to dbeden4153

it's all in the ears.

Posted by Easy to refute wingnuts in reply to hstybuf6553

Too bad none of it is in your brain.

Posted by solon in reply to hstybuf6553

Sure it is for morons.

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to dbeden4153

I am not familiar with any on-going investigations of voter fraud.  I know there was fraud in N.M., on both sides.

I was in Ohio working as a poll watcher for the 2004 election.  The only improprieties we witnessed were those by groups like ACORN, and in one instance a poll captain parking her car too close to the polling station with a Kerry sticker on it.

There were no long lines, and the longest time to complete the voting process that we witnessed was about seven minutes.  That's from entering the polling station to exiting.  We were not permitted to enter the stations.

Now, I know this will let off a storm of protest, hate, name calling, for which this forum is justly famous, and i dare say proud.

Posted by friedbergboy1422 in reply to hstybuf6553

Buf,

Did you poll watch in urban areas?  The reports there were lines of 4 hours or so.  It sounds like the affluent counties had very short lines.  Do you still live in Ohio?

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to friedbergboy1422

It was north of Columbus, about a hour's drive.   Think it was Richland County, but I could be wrong.  I would call it urban but the cities were not large.  It was about 60% democrat, as I recall.  There was a large black population.

Posted by friedbergboy1422 in reply to hstybuf6553

Sounds like you got lucky in your assignment.  The rest of the state's urban areas, not so much

 

http://www.archive.org/details/ohio_vote_2004

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to friedbergboy1422

I was lucky.  I was paired with a pretty redhead who used to work for the Cato Institute.  She was from Mexico, MO and introduced me to the Waffle House.

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to hstybuf6553

it was pretty uneventful, except immediately after the polls were supposed to close (some delayed a few minutes), a car burst into flames.  poor fellow, he had just purchased it.  it burned furiously.

It was exhausting work because we were staying in Columbus and having to drive in the cold rain on a highway packed with 16 wheelers in a tiny car that the Republican party hired for us.  We had to go to Richland the day before to check it out, and then return on election day and drive from polling station to polling station from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

I didn't stay up to get election results, and did not know how things were going until the next day when my plane was landing in L.A. when Kerry conceded and I checked the news on my cell phone. 

I thought I was having a heart attack (I'm certain I will hear from many on this board that it was too bad I didn't), but I determined it was from gripping the steering wheel so tightly for those 20 some hours I drove on those two days.

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to friedbergboy1422

I have never lived in Ohio, although my father was born in Cleveland.  I live in L.A.  I'm not certain I even met a volunteer from Ohio.  We were all lawyers and drawn from across the U.S.

I have a friend from Houston, not a lawyer, but a multigazillionare, who flew in her own Citation to go door to door in Iowa to stump for GWB.  Yes, she knows the family, geez.

Posted by solon in reply to hstybuf6553

Thats how it plays in your DREAMS. The ReNAMBLAcans lose big. They lose the White House and lots of seats in Congress. THAT is how it plays in November.

Posted by Col. Harlan Sanders in reply to hstybuf6553

Dumbo has served his two terms.Is a third term part of your "coup", Hissybuff?

Posted by friedbergboy1422 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

Col,

Why does Buf hate American Democracy?

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to friedbergboy1422

because people like dave_chicago, and the colonel (who by the way was busted to buck private) have a vote equal to mine.  just look at my vanilla post on how I met Golda Meir in her house after the '73 war.  The comments were so stupid, how can you take these people seriously? 

Posted by foghornleghorn in reply to hstybuf6553

The more you post, the more you remind me of Forrest Gump.  Historical events just seem to revolve around you.  It's kind of amazing.

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

when people ask me who I want, I hold up four fingers.

Posted by hstybuf6553 in reply to Col. Harlan Sanders

when people ask me who I want, I hold up four fingers.

Posted by tex in reply to hstybuf6553

HSTYBUF:

Odd. When people ask me what I think of YOU, I only have to hold up ONE finger ... 

Posted by The Truth Seeker

This is a ridiculous statement by her.  How in the hell is a guy who supports these disastrous policies a perfect candidate to deal with them?  He's perfect if you want the same problems to continue.  It is unbelievable that a warmonger could have any chance in the next election. 

Posted by tex

TRUTH SEEKER:

Not only, with McCain, will the "SAME PROBLEMS CONTINUE", but in every instance, conditions for American citizens will get WORSE. The Bush policies McCain will CONTINUE are horrendous. The War, the Debt, the Cronyism, the Economy, the Torture, the Economy. Plus, McCain will continue to NEGLECT the things BUSH is currently neglecting: Health care, immigration reform, poverty, the environment, worker's safety and rights, disaster relief.

In EVERY INSTANCE, continuing Bush's policies will not be a "continuation" of problems, in every instance suffering will INCREASE, and it will get WORSE and WORSE for working Americans. Their wages will slide, jobs will be lost, necessities like heating oil and gas will get ever more expensive, and our young men and women will CONTINUE to die and be maimed in a senseless war with no end.

 

Posted by HotWings

Mika's father and brother work for Obama.

Posted by appletowne

Write to MSNBC and tell them you are joining in a grassroots boycott.  Tune out MSNBC immediately and write to their advertisers to let them know. Refuse to watch. Demand fair and balanced political commentary. Do not allow pundits to choose the nominee of any party. Take away their 24/7 unpaid media campaign to influence this election. Join the boycott!