Freudian Slip? MSNBC's Martin Bashir Claims Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner 'In Charge of U.S. Economy'
On the July 1 edition of "Martin Bashir," the MSNBC anchor after which the show is named made a statement that reveals a great deal about his worldview.
[Video after break]
"Next, Tim Geithner says he's staying in charge of the U.S. economy for now," proclaimed Bashir. "But should he? Stay with us."
Teasing an upcoming segment with Washington Post liberal blogger Ezra Klein, Bashir described Tim Geithner not as U.S. Treasury Secretary, his official title, but as the executive "in charge" of running the world's largest economy.
Not even the Treasury Department views itself as "in charge of the U.S. economy." According to the department's website, the Treasury sees its mission as more of a "steward" than central planner:
Maintain a strong economy and create economic and job opportunities by promoting the conditions that enable economic growth and stability at home and abroad, strengthen national security by combating threats and protecting the integrity of the financial system, and manage the U.S. Government’s finances and resources effectively.
The former ABC "Nightline" anchor only joined MSNBC a few months ago, but he's already developed a penchant for making bizarre claims about issues ranging from arguing Sarah Palin's bus tour was "in breach of federal law" to asking if Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was suffering from "mild dementia."
--Alex Fitzsimmons is a News Analysis intern at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Comments
Sorry Alex, but I'm going to
Submitted by Beukeboom on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 4:27pm.
Sorry Alex, but I'm going to have to go with Occam's Razor on this one and rather than think it was a Freudian slip I'll chalk it up to Bashir's ignorance and incompetance.
I agree, B-boom
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 4:35pm.
I have never read or heard anything Bashir has uttered that leads me to believe that he doesn't believe what he said to be true.
I don't think this a 'Freudian Slip' at all
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 4:43pm.
I think the imported mullah comrade Bashir is consciously trying to convince his 12 viewers (who probably couldn't find the Treasury Department's website on a bet) that Turbo-turd Timmy is the one who is pulling the economic strings, so as to give cover to Obama.
After all, Bashir did wonder if little Timmy should still be 'in charge' of the economy. That suggests to me that he is headed toward pinning this now 38 month-long recession on him - not that Timmy doesn't have a few things to answer for.
If Geithner leaves, or even if he doesn't, I think some of the duller people in the MSM might just try to pin our failing economy on him to keep people from focusing on Obama's role in wrecking it.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
"If Geithner leaves, or even
Submitted by Alex Fitzsimmons on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 5:06pm.
"If Geithner leaves, or even if he doesn't, I think some of the duller people in the MSM might just try to pin our failing economy on him to keep people from focusing on Obama's role in wrecking it."
This is an important point, Dave. We at the MRC will be keeping an eye out for this as the election draws closer.
--Alex Fitzsimmons is a News Analysis intern at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
Alex,
Submitted by Dave. on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 5:34pm.
Before this is over, you can be sure it will be everybody's fault except Obama's.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Already laying ground work
Submitted by jon_torlin on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 5:39pm.
They are already laying the ground work for saying such things, remember, krugman (and some others, can't remember at the moment who) have already been saying that if spending is cut, thousands of people will lose jobs or be hurt, nevermind the fact that it was the spending that got us there in the first place.
Don't forget it was Christina Romer who was one of the economic advisors who would get on the various channels and say it over and over again that all the spending will make everything better(for whom, gee, I have to ask?) and as each time the news in the finance sector kept getting worse and worse, it was getting more and more comical by the day as they kept repeating it. Romer ended up leaving with egg on her face(she said she wanted to go back to teaching, wonder why, the stuff she talks about doesn't work in practice anyway). Hell, Geithner was the guy on the Hill telling Congress that if the debt ceiling isn't raised, bad things could happen. Really??
-Jon
Geitner
Submitted by jessieH on Fri, 07/01/2011 - 6:39pm.
Before it's all said & done, everybody but odumbass will be thrown under the bus. That's fine with me. Less targets! No, I'm not planning to shoot anyone. Just dreaming!
The Winners and Losers
Submitted by iveseenitall on Sat, 07/02/2011 - 11:10am.
Who is "winning" and enjoying this economy? Who is losing and suffering? The anwers to those questions say it all. And it has just begun. Bad times ahead. Prepare yourself.
BTW--Mike Vick is back with Nike---Isn't that special!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal" ( progressive)