Martin Bashir All But Tells John Boehner to 'Go the F*** to Sleep'
MSNBC's Martin Bashir not-so-subtly suggested Wednesday that House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is a "baby" who should "go the f*** to sleep" and let Democrats deal with the debt ceiling issue.
Anchoring the afternoon program that bears his name, Bashir excoriated Boehner's latest deficit-reduction proposal, which he dubbed a "ludicrous lullaby," blaming the Ohio Republican for "this ridiculously prolonged, tortuous, and confused attempt to raise the debt ceiling."
[Video follows page break]
Bashir used "Go the F*** to Sleep," a new children's book written for adults about the difficulties of parenting, to set up his attack: "Mr. Boehner goes on, singing his nursery rhyme of more cuts, no taxes, of Cut, Cap, and Balance, of cut this, cut that, and don't you dare raise revenues. I've been thinking, maybe it's time for Mr. Boehner to hand over responsibility to Harry Reid and the president and for himself to go off to sleep."
At the conclusion of his daily "Clear the Air" segment, Bashir turned the keys over to the 4 p.m. Eastern host, Dylan Ratigan, who, before starting his show, egged on the former ABC "Nightline" anchor to "just come out and say it!"
"I can't use expletives on air, as you know," replied Bashir.
In addition to ridiculing the Speaker of the House, Bashir painted his viewers a distorted picture of the debt limit negotiations.
Criticizing Boehner for having had his "counting skills exposed as entirely wrong" by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Bashir omitted that the CBO was slightly harder on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) math than Boehner's. While the CBO reduced the savings in Reid's plan by about 19 percent, knocking off about $500 billion from the $2.7 trillion total, the nonpartisan number crunchers shaved off only $150 billion in savings from Boehner's $1 trillion plan, or about 15 percent.
Bashir also failed to acknowledge that much of Reid's savings are derived from budget gimmicks. As Fox News reported, Reid's plan includes $1 trillion in savings from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though the CBO typically spreads out current funding over 10 years, instead of predicting what might happen further down the road, as Reid would have it.
Although both sides are guilty of employing fuzzy math to boost their price tags, Bashir only focused on the Republicans' infractions.
Earlier in the program, Bashir made a fleeting reference to the illusory savings in Reid's plan, though he reserved his most pointed and personal criticism for Boehner and the Republicans.
A transcript of Bashir's "Clear the Air" segment can be found below:
MSNBC
Martin Bashir
July 27, 2011
3:56 p.m. ET
MARTIN BASHIR: It's time now to clear the air. And a new book on parenting is provoking some controversy because it seems to focus not on the joy that comes with a newborn, but the pain that a baby brings to his parents, especially when it comes to sleep. The audio version of Adam Mansbach's book employs the voice of the great actor Samuel L Jackson. And here's an example of how it reads.
SAMUEL L. JACKSON, actor: The whales huddled down in the deep, I'll read you one very last book if you swear you'll go the [expletive] to sleep.
BASHIR: For some parents, Adam Mansbach's book is not before time, a chance to tell it like it is. Children are hard work, sleep is disturbed, and even loving parents can sometimes crack under the pressure and swear at their kids. And isn't that exactly how all of feel about this ridiculously prolonged, tortuous, and confused attempt to raise the debt ceiling? One minute, Speaker Boehner says he has a bipartisan plan that will fly through the House. The next, his counting skills are exposed as entirely wrong by the Budget Office, and he can't even rely on members of his own caucus, despite his bogus claims of bipartisanship. And this has been going on for six months, six months.
And the trouble is, just as parents see the clock ticking as they wait desperately for their child to go off to sleep, so now we have less than seven days to reach an agreement or trigger the first default in American history. It's desperate and judging by the thousands of phone calls to Congress yesterday, Americans are becoming increasingly angry. And yet what do we hear today from Mr. Boehner? Another ludicrous lullaby that won't pass through the Senate. And even if it got to the president, he's already said he'll veto it. But still, Mr. Boehner goes on, singing his nursery rhyme of more cuts, no taxes, of Cut, Cap, and Balance, of cut this, cut that, and don't you dare raise revenues. I've been thinking, maybe it's time for Mr. Boehner to hand over responsibility to Harry Reid and the president and for himself to go off to sleep. Thanks very much for watching. Dylan is fired up, chomping at the bit, and ready to take us forward. Dylan?
DYLAN RATIGAN, MSNBC anchor: Woooooooo ah just say it, Martin. Just come out and say it! I mean, listen, you're right there.
BASHIR: I can't use expletives on air, as you know. Or expletives as you like to say.
--Alex Fitzsimmons is a News Analysis intern at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
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Comments
er...
Submitted by michiganruth on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 5:59pm.
a program that "bares" his name?
please.
"bears" is the word you're looking for.
I know it's the interwebz, but really...doesn't ANYONE know how to spell anymore?
I appreciate the correction.
Submitted by Alex Fitzsimmons on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:02pm.
I appreciate the correction.
--Alex Fitzsimmons is a News Analysis intern at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.
Well, it 'bears' out the fact---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:15pm.
that Bashir 'bares' the fact he is a liberal fool.
I say good job, A.F.
MD
hah!
Submitted by michiganruth on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:25pm.
I will barely accept that!
michiganruth---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:29pm.
:o)
MD
Brett Baier just asks that you his name spelled right
Submitted by rolling_o on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:37pm.
Or he'll crush you with a baier hug.
rollin_o---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:39pm.
Xlnt !!
You win.
MD
as long as we're going there...
Submitted by michiganruth on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:59pm.
...his first name is spelled BRET!
;-)
He wants to get together with Anyhony Weiner
Submitted by nonncom on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 8:07pm.
on Fox to do the "Bair/ Weiner" report....
Well... spell checkers don't
Submitted by MightyMouth on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 8:55pm.
Well... spell checkers don't totally understand context, that is left up to the author. This is particularly true in english. And I mean the "real english" ... American English. Now I am not a spelling or grammar Nazi but for Webster's sake... these public school kids need some learn'in.
Actually,
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 12:04am.
I think you're incorrect to call that a spelling error.
I'd take this clown more
Submitted by the struggler on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:07pm.
I'd take this clown more seriously if he wore one of those Steve Martin arrows thru his head.
....maybe a big red nose.................................and some big shoes.
Now,
Submitted by almostacowboy on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:39pm.
.....that there's funny. I don't care who you are!
Wikpedia says this about this
Submitted by buddyc on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:14pm.
Wikpedia says this about this clown:
"In 2003, Bashir conducted a series of interviews with pop singer Michael Jackson, as part of a documentary for ITV. Following the broadcast, which was viewed by 14 million in the UK and 38 million in the US, several media personalities accused Bashir of yellow journalism, claiming that he deliberately doctored the recordings in order to paint Jackson in an unflattering light, as well as emphasising the allegations of child molestation made against Jackson. The New York Times called Bashir's journalism style "callous self-interest masked as sympathy."[5]
In response, Jackson and his personal cameraman released a rebuttal interview, which showed Bashir complimenting Jackson for the "spiritual" quality of the Neverland Ranch, thus contradicting the journalist's previous statements that it was a "dangerous place" for children. Bashir also describes Jackson as a wonderful father and says that Jackson's relationship with his children "almost makes him weep".[6]
Dieter Wiesner, the pop star's manager from 1996 to 2003, stated about the influence of Bashir's documentary on Michael Jackson:
"It broke him. It killed him. He took a long time to die, but it started that night. Previously the drugs were a crutch, but after that they became a necessity."[7]
Bashir later said of Jackson during ABC's coverage of his death,
"When I made the documentary, there was a small part that contained a controversy concerning his relationship with young people. But the truth is that he was never convicted of any crime, and I never saw any wrongdoing myself."[8]"
He sounds like just another MSNBC type. However, his point that democrats should deal with this is valid. I think republicans have made enough effort. They should now sit back and tell Reid and Obama they will give them an up or down vote on any proposal to increase the debt limit without conditions.
The more
Submitted by Nortonalec on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:17pm.
agitated these knuckle heads get the more we know the Tea Party is getting under their skin! President Doh! had plenty of time to pass a budget or enact Simpson-Boles. Sucks for him!
why?
Submitted by michiganruth on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:29pm.
why are these MSNBC people so MEAN? the other nite Matthews was going on about how Boehner wasn't looking into the camera during his debt speech (except he was looking into the camera, so...). instead of talking about what he said. and that's par for the MSNBC course.
I just have to laugh when libs say that Fox isn't a real news channel. I would put any one of Fox's on-air newspeople at the very top of the game: Bret Baier for example is outstanding. compare someone like him to someone like this maroon Martin Bashir. no contest!
What is a...
Submitted by Order270 on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 10:17pm.
...moroon?
A 'maroon' is ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 10:37pm.
Bugs Bunny's version of moron.
MD
Why did I ask,....
Submitted by Order270 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 2:31am.
...I knew it had to be on purpose.
Ratigan egging on Bashir
Submitted by Reaver on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:33pm.
Ratigan egging on Bashir sounds strangely familiar…
DYLAN RATIGAN, MSNBC anchor: Woooooooo ah just say it, Martin. Just come out and say it! I mean, listen, you're right there.
BASHIR: I can't use expletives on air, as you know. Or expletives as you like to say.
MARK HALPERIN: Do we have the seven-second delay today? I want to characterize how I thought the President behaved.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: We have it. We can use it--right [Executive Producer] Alex?
JOE SCARBOROUGH: Yeah, sure, come on, take a chance. Have faith.
BRZEZINSKI: Let's see what happens.
SCARBOROUGH: I'm behind you. You fall down, I'm gonna catch you.
BRZEZINSKI: And the precedent has been set on the show, so you're good [a reference to Joe dropping an f-bomb back in 2008, leading to the installation of the seven-second delay].
HALPERIN: I thought he was kind of a d--k yesterday.
SCARBOROUGH: Oh my God. Delay that! Delay that! What are you doing? I can't believe you--I was joking! Don't do that! Did we delay that?
Come on Marty, take a chance. It worked out so well for Halperin.
Oh, man!
Submitted by almostacowboy on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 6:44pm.
Why don't the just dress the set as what it is - The DNC! You know, with the "circle D" logo (because the "copyright" logo was already taken?) with "Democrats - Change That Matters" on the background and all their banners or kyrons at the bottom of the screen.
I am very proud of the Repubs
Submitted by tcm14 on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 7:02pm.
I am very proud of the Repubs standing up the way they are. THIS is why we vote for them. The fact that the libs are squealing like they are shows that we are on the right track.
I Agree with Martin Bashir!
Submitted by Fredy on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 7:06pm.
I think John Boehner should just go to sleep!
The house already passed Cut, Cap, and Balance. They do not need to vote on any additional bills.
Let the Democrats pass that bill in the Senate and Obama can sign it!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
Trust the two thieves who drove us into this ditch?
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 7:16pm.
Bashir: " I've been thinking, . . ."
That was your first mistake, Bashir. When you speak aloud what you are thinking, you remove all doubts as to your ignorance.
Bashir: ". . . maybe it's time for Mr. Boehner to hand over responsibility to Harry Reid and the president and for himself to go off to sleep."
Uh, those two and Pelosi HAD RESPONSIBILITY for over two years and accelerated the debt rate so greatly that we arrived at this debt ceiling way sooner than had been imagined. No thanks, Bashir. We've been there already.
Bashir: "I can't use expletives on air, as you know."
Well, then go bashir yourself.
Bashir has taken up the
Submitted by rbosque on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 7:36pm.
Bashir has taken up the mindless banner of MSNBC miscreants who (coincidentally) have been spewing Democratic talking points for quite some time.
Martin is a walking expletive.
Submitted by drsamherman on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 7:36pm.
My professional ethics don't allow me to elaborate further.
The brains of the Democratic
Submitted by deerjerkydave on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 7:52pm.
The brains of the Democratic party is angry. Republicans must be doing something right.
------------------------
"The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State Governments are numerous and indefinite. -James MadisonOxymoron
Submitted by Radical1979 on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 9:55pm.
"The brains of the Democratic party". Didn't know they had any. See: Shumer, Wasserman-Schultz, Pelosi, etc.
Eat yo' peas, MSNBC!
Submitted by Slyrr on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 7:57pm.
Rush nails it again.
MSNBC is furious that the Republicans aren't grabbing their ankles and giving their Messiah everything he wants. They're used to being spoiled children who get their parents to keep feeding them candy by screwing up their faces and wailing until Mom or Dad give in.
Obama said 'Eat yo' peas!'
MSNBC didn't realize he was speaking to THEM.
Is there some kind of contest
Submitted by Chris Norman on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 9:17pm.
Is there some kind of contest at MSNBC as to who can be the most obnoxious and bilious hate monger? What's the prize - The Keith Olbermann Memorial Rubber Ducky Award?
O/T: Archie Bunker has a few words for Barack Obama
Submitted by jdhawk on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 10:14pm.
It’s pretty telling that a show that originally aired during the Carter administration is equally applicable in an Obama world.
http://www.texasrainmaker.com/2011/04/19/archie-bunker-has-a-few-words-f...
I think he is a "dick," too!
Bashir Should Stick to Setting Up Sicko Celebrities
Submitted by Nightfly on Wed, 07/27/2011 - 10:49pm.
Bashir has no credibility when it comes to politics. He missed an opportunity to befriend Amy Winehouse, set her up and make money off of her addiction and tragic death. Maybe he could befriend Madonna or Angelina Jolie to get some dirt. That's what he's good at. He should just stay out of politics. He doesn't know what he's freaking talking about.
Hello! Martin? Your ratings
Submitted by Van Halen on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 12:17am.
Hello! Martin? Your ratings are calling. Can you come and get them out of the toilet?
Boehner vs. Reid?
Submitted by big.league.slider on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 4:08am.
Boehner can put this whole issue to bed by simply submitting a resolution for vote that says no further budget or debt ceiling negotiations will take place until a federal budget for FY 2011 is passed by congress and signed by the president.
First things first.
And by the time it was debated, demagogued, and eventually
Submitted by Jer on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 4:40am.
enacted, we would be so far in default our credit standing would be roughly equivalent to Somalia's, interest rates would skyrocket, revenue demands would require dramatic and immediate tax hikes, our economy would grind to a halt, weak employment numbers would reach unprecedented levels, inflation would spiral out of control, and we would be plunged into a depression that would make the 30's seem like the Golden Age of American Prosperity.
Other than that, not a bad idea.
Jer
What Cuts?
Submitted by scottyusmc on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 5:54am.
The American people are being taken to the cleaners by a corrupt government on both sides with a lap-dog media providing the dramatic musical background.
Neither party nor the idiot in chief is proposing any solution to solve the countries credit problem. They are simply trying to figure out the best way to package the lie.
Any so-called "cut" that does not happen now (within this budget cycle) to existing authorizations is simply not a cut. Based on their own (made-up) definitions and baseline budgeting process, anything they label as a cut in the out-years is simply at most a "reduction in the rate of growth!" They tell us with a straight face that they project baseline spending to be say 5 trillion in 2015; then tell us they will only spend 4 trillion. Both numbers are significantly higher than what we are spending now, so WHERE IS THE CUT? Plus, regardless of the amount, IT'S ALL BORROWED MONEY from China!!!
They all should be prosecuted for the crimes they are committing on the American people. We need a Balanced Budget Amendment to hold all these idiots accountable!!!
You should go to sleep muslimista...
Submitted by JLin on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 9:50am.
The Democrats have been allowed to "deal with the debt issue" for 40 years, that's why we are on life support now. The Democrat party needs to be disbanded and their members moved to one called the Communist Party, so that no one is deceived concerning their world view.
Bashir is another name for.......
Submitted by Utherpend on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:11am.
Another pseudo American who neither believes in or cares about the country he is currently living in. Slash and burn, when he has destroyed everything around him he will become whatever he needs to move to a different job, network, country.
Is Bashir even an American
Submitted by marpel on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 10:28am.
Is Bashir even an American citizen? Does anyone know?
"Deep within my heart lies a memory. A song of ol' San Antone..."
This Brit Twit needs to hop back across the pond.......
Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:28am.
OHH WAIT they don't want him either..... NO WONDER he is at msnbc!
Bashir - MSNBC gets what it pays for - headlines
Submitted by felizagain on Thu, 07/28/2011 - 11:56am.
Let the Democrats handle the debt issue? Uh, they had the debt issue in their incapable little hands for 6 years as a majority, and did what with it? That's right, they punted over & over, on purpose, even with a Democratic President. The form of govt. we have calls for debate, disagreement, and voting. Let them work it out. If our credit falters, it's only hurrying up what is going to happen down the line soon anyway. No matter what - the debt ceiling will rise. It's what goes w/that raised level that is the issue.............tax increases, tax cuts, spending increase, spending cut, etc. Democrats, MSNBC, and Obama, that's a lovely marriage.