Is CNBC caving to its critics on the left?
It might appear so now that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, also the former chair of the Democratic National Committee, was officially named a CNBC contributor on the March 23 "Squawk Box" by co-host Joe Kernen.
"Joining us for the next two hours, former DNC chair and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who is as of today a CNBC contributor," Kernen said.
CNBC had also named Tony Fratto, a former Bush administration Deputy Press Secretary as a contributor to the chagrin of some on the left. Kernen remarked Dean's status as a contributor was an effort to show the network was "balanced."
"You are now a commentator governor," Kernen said. "And, I'm not saying we want you to tone it down necessarily, but actually we don't because this is cable, so you need to ratchet it up a little bit if you can."
The financial network has been the focal point of liberal criticism after CNBC Chicago Mercantile Exchange floor reporter Rick Santelli and "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer launched scathing criticisms on the Obama administration for its policies, and received direct attacks from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
Dean had been guest host on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on other occasions, since stepping down as DNC chairman in January.
The former Vermont governor was a 2004 Democratic presidential candidate and was made famous by the "Dean scream" following a loss in the 2004 Iowa caucus. He was also endorsed by global warming activist, former Vice President Al Gore, in his 2004 bid.
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Dean
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 11:54 ET by flyoverlandYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH the market is up.
Isn't he the heir to Dean Witter?
I thought it was Dean Wormer
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 12:12 ET by T-Bone MassI thought it was Dean Wormer
Howard Dean Wormer
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 12:34 ET by HypocriteHaterHe's going to put the economy on Double Secret Probation.
With Deano on the payroll,
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 12:51 ET by ForeverOnTheRightWith Deano on the payroll, why not ad Barney as in Frank. Then they should change it from CNBC to CDNC as in, Controlled by the Democratic National Committee. Then at least they could completely forget about any pretense of being impartial and out right spew democratic talking points. I say CNBC has no shame.
Correct
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:40 ET by MeowMeowCNBC and MSNBC have no shame, true. And no class. But you know, to play devil's advocate for a second, Fox News just added Mike Huckabee and Glenn Beck as hosts of their own shows -- so one could easily make a case about Fox News being in bed with conservatives.
Let libs watch the drivel the MSM puts out. The losers in this case are the networks, because Fox News is going to beat them in the ratings every single time. As well they should.
Obama: A glittering jewel of colossal ignorance. --RL
I heard CNBC claimed the
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:59 ET by kgI heard CNBC claimed the right to have Dean. MSNBC already has a bunch of loons and there are not enough time slots left.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
→ Howard Dean
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 17:03 ET by Cool ArrowDrafting Howard Dean is like inviting PacMan Jones to training camp.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
2 Hours of the Joker
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 12:52 ET by clubchamp6http://www.mega-mex.com/vb/picture.php?albumid=432&pictureid=5516
The difference in class between the Joker and Karl Rove will be immense.
Karl has shown who the man behind GWB really is. Smart as a whip, honest, and level headed, and then there is HD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDwODbl3muE
Oh goody the Dean Scream
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 13:28 ET by bigtimerOh goody the Dean Scream Machine joins CNBC for some 'Fair and Balance'.
Give me a break.....MM/Soros wins again as far as I'm concerned...all because of Santelli...boy did they cave as far as I am concerned.
How did this happen?
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 13:35 ET by UnsaneI saw this and I only had one thought: Why wasn't that angry Socialist jumping up and choking Carl Quintanilla, Joe Kernen and Becky Quick to death with his bare hands? Why didn't he go on a homicidal rampage through that entire building, considering how much the mere thought of capitalism positively enrages him?
At the completion of that thought I immediately change the channel to Fox Business and awaited the appearance of the great Erin Burnett on CNBC at 8 CST. Fox Business has Alexis Glick in the mornings, who is perhaps every bit the great analyst and journalist Miss Burnett is.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
I'm waiting for the Food
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 14:57 ET by Chris NormanI'm waiting for the Food Network to come up with the new "Home Cookin' with Paula and Howard Dean"...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Double Post
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 14:19 ET by Chris NormanI'd swear I didn't hit the Post Comment button twice...
I wondered when they would
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 14:51 ET by buddycI wondered when they would start changing the commentators. Too much anti liberal stuff on CNBC. Those people should be afraid for their jobs.
Who is it at NBC who is responsible for this. Just a name?
I wondered when they would
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 14:51 ET by buddycI wondered when they would start changing the commentators. Too much anti liberal stuff on CNBC. Those people should be afraid for their jobs.
Who is it at NBC who is responsible for this. Just a name?
I wondered when they would
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 14:51 ET by buddycI wondered when they would start changing the commentators. Too much anti liberal stuff on CNBC. Those people should be afraid for their jobs.
Who is it at NBC who is responsible for this. Just a name?
Viewership
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 15:32 ET by BondPlainBondNow, as an official member of CNBC, Dean's viewership/audience will be less than a normal day's stroll to his car in his driveway.
Thanks for taking those necessary steps, Howard. 'preciate it.
so much for pretending
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:16 ET by UndercoverConservativethat we have a "free press". First the strategy sessions, then the liberal media thinktank website, now the DNC chair working openly with the mass media.
Wow. Hard to make a slippery slope argument, when the truth has us just a few feet from absolute bottom.
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is like calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
"You spend your money anyway you want and respect other's rights to do the same&quo
Sorry, but we do have a "free press." But they've forgotten...
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 16:19 ET by CKA in Red State USA...or intentionally chosen to disregard what their role is supposed to be.
Why no job?
Mon, 03/23/2009 - 18:25 ET by slickwillie2001Dean's lack of a job offer from the Bamster is a major slap in the face. He ran the party that got Obammy elected. What's up with that, does anyone know? So maybe he was for Hillary, Obammy hired Hillary herself.