Randi Rhodes Message Board > Tim Russert Contradictions

L-Rey-LA

Jun 14 2008, 05:31 PM

Before Russert is canonized as a saint his contradictions should be noted as well.

Significance of MTP shouldn't be minimized neither nor Russert's role at MSNBC esp fro thi election.

I do feel he was a decent person and expressions of sadness are genuine especially from his hometown Buffalo, NY.

Some observations:

- Chris Mathews of all people noted Russert was pro Iraq war but was victimized by administration as average Joe afraid of nukes. Sounds as though Russert's fear was legitimate as was many Americans but Mathews went along the first 6 yrs until Olberman acme on scene;

- perhaps Russert made up for it by encouraging Olberman;

- LA TImes article on successor names Joe Scarborough a prime candidate but says Olberman is along shot "largely because of his open espousal of liberal views".

- same LA Times article notes:

QUOTE

Yet Russert also drew criticism for becoming too close with the Beltway elite.

Early last year, during the perjury trial of Bush administration aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby, a former press aide to Vice President Dick Cheney testified that she often tried to get officials on Russert's show.

"Meet the Press" was "our best format," she said, where the administration could reliably "control the message."

- MTP did have more credibilty than other shows. Will Scarborough at helm give it to McCain if polls stay close?

- Last the image of Russert with Andrea Mitchell, Greenspan and Tom DeLay seemed like the ultimate contradiction or reality check.

Jessebttmboy

Jun 14 2008, 05:44 PM

QUOTE (L-Rey-LA @ Jun 14 2008, 05:56 PM)

Before Russert is canonized as a saint his contradictions should be noted as well.

Significance of MTP shouldn't be minimized neither nor Russert's role at MSNBC esp fro thi election.

I do feel he was a decent person and expressions of sadness are genuine especially from his hometown Buffalo, NY.

Some observations:

- Chris Mathews of all people noted Russert was pro Iraq war but was victimized by administration as average Joe afraid of nukes. Sounds as though Russert's fear was legitimate as was many Americans but Mathews went along the first 6 yrs until Olberman acme on scene;

- perhaps Russert made up for it by encouraging Olberman;

- LA TImes article on successor names Joe Scarborough a prime candidate but says Olberman is along shot "largely because of his open espousal of liberal views".

- same LA Times article notes:

- MTP did have more credibilty than other shows. Will Scarborough at helm give it to McCain if polls stay close?

- Last the image of Russert with Andrea Mitchell, Greenspan and Tom DeLay seemed like the ultimate contradiction or reality check.

It's Joe, not Will

They actually talked today about how "the media" (Tim's name was not mention) didn't ask tough questions and that's an issue that Scott McClellan raised as his new book came out. Scott complained for not "being challenged" enough by the media. But anyways, my point is that they were talking about all those Dick Cheney's Meet the Press appearances when he said "We'll be greeted as liberators" and Tim's unconfrontational style just let him get away with because...the audience is supposed to be smart enough to tell when a politician tells the truth or not, we are supposed to be psychics now!!!

KimFromLongIsland

Jun 14 2008, 06:48 PM

QUOTE (Jessebttmboy @ Jun 14 2008, 06:09 PM)

It's Joe, not Will

They actually talked today about how "the media" (Tim's name was not mention) didn't ask tough questions and that's an issue that Scott McClellan raised as his new book came out. Scott complained for not "being challenged" enough by the media. But anyways, my point is that they were talking about all those Dick Cheney's Meet the Press appearances when he said "We'll be greeted as liberators" and Tim's unconfrontational style just let him get away with because...the audience is supposed to be smart enough to tell when a politician tells the truth or not, we are supposed to be psychics now!!!

Try reading what he wrote with the emphasis on different words. He could have just as easily written "Will Joe Scarborougn...." Will wasn't meant as a name.

plodder

Jun 15 2008, 05:47 AM

I saw something that said McCain was a 'guest' on MTP 50 times......we all complained that McCain seemed to always be on the Sunday talkers and we all wondered if that was fair ...........

I'm sure Russert was a nice enough guy and a father and I feel for his family and their loss but I sure screamed at him on the TV more than once to ask the obvious question, which sadly, he never did.............