To know what's on a morning-show anchor's mind, it's often easy to read between the lines. Katie Couric famously employed the "some say" technique to put her own views in the mouths of unidentified others.
But it's relatively uncommon to hear an anchor flatly express an opinion in the way Matt Lauer did this morning. The topic was whether there were racial overtones to Bill Clinton's "fairy tale" tirade directed at Barack Obama in the closing days of the New Hampshire campaign. Matt's guests were radio talk show host Michael Smerconish and former Clinton advisor Paul Begala.
View video here.
MICHAEL SMERCONISH: There's a tightrope that they're [the Clinton campaign] walking. Because criticism of Barack Obama is perceived in certain quarters as having a racial connotation. Look at Bill Clinton referring [view YouTube] to this as a "fairy tale" story and Donna Brazile quickly says as an African-American female she's "depressed" about that.
MATT LAUER: Which had nothing to do with race.
SMERCONISH: I agree. Has nothing to do with race.
LAUER: You could say it's a fairy tale on Mitt Romney's side. You could say it's a fairy tale on Rudy Giuliani's side.
SMERCONISH: Absolutely.
On the one hand, I agree with Lauer and Smerconish. While Clinton looked angry, I didn't read a racial angle into his remarks. But query whether Lauer be so quick to vouch for the bona fides of a Republican in similar circumstances.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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It's sad that Matt Lauer of
January 10, 2008 - 10:09 ET by obxrayIt's sad that Matt Lauer is of the male sector of people.This guy is so sheepish and frail and just comes across like a huge wimp doesn't he? Man so damn pathetic.
Racial Overtones?
January 10, 2008 - 10:05 ET by BourbeauWhen it comes to the Clintons, especially Bill, you need to read in between the lines, to get the true gist of his veiled comments. More importantly, he's sitting there wondering if this guy Obama is going to create a stir amongst the black community which will cut into Hillary's leverage. You can take it to the bank there were racial overtones, and there will be more. On the bright side, Obama doesn't have to change his voice when he goes to a black church in SC, whereas Hillary will spend two days w/a speech therapist. It's going to get ugly, just ask Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Spadework Remark
January 10, 2008 - 10:18 ET by allanfDid Hillary say of Obama --- "He hasn't done the spadework ..."
}}---> We know what she meant
January 10, 2008 - 10:36 ET by Cool ArrowHillary's "spadework" remark was just testing the MSM to see who her true followers are.
Now, if Donna Brazille is really hurt by racist comments, she could really sink her teeth into Hill's spadework comment, but she has to focus on something as innocuos as "fairy tale"
I ♣ My Seal
Spade: definition
January 10, 2008 - 11:36 ET by planetrepublican3.spade - (ethnic slur) extremely offensive name for a Black person; "only a Black can call another Black a nigga"
jigaboo, nigga, nigger, nigra, coon
derogation, disparagement, depreciation - a communication that belittles somebody or something
ethnic slur - a slur on someone's race or language
Black person, blackamoor, Negro, Negroid, Black - a person with dark skin who comes from Africa (or whose ancestors came from Africa)
And Hillary didn't select this work by choice? Dick Morris says the Clinton's WILL play the race card. Why the hell do we want to go back to the old Clinton day when we were parsing the meaning of words like "is"? I'm surprised she didn't say "I wonder if Obama likes to go coon hunting?".
Racism
January 10, 2008 - 10:17 ET by docbYou can be assured that there are undertones of racism,-Just like her'spadework' comment , the slam on MLK and Obama, her flip on mandatory sentencing for crack. They will betray whoever it takes to get what they want. Sleaze.
Lauer is like the rest of MSM= running scared of what they would do if she wins and they have to deal with retribution.
Watch your back Obama they stop at nothing and I mean nothing.
Uh oh.......There it is again.......
January 10, 2008 - 10:33 ET by OldSailor88**SPOOKY MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND**
Someone mentioned putting Hussein on THE LIST!
Faciem durum cacantis habes
Irony My Shirts!
January 10, 2008 - 11:04 ET by CrashSpeaking of the black calling the kettle pot: "... criticism of Barack Obama is perceived in CERTAIN QUARTERS (wink, wink) as having a racial connotation."
To quote a line from Animal House, "Hmmbullshitttt!"
The fairy tale is about media created perception
January 10, 2008 - 11:50 ET by Dee BunkThey are the authors of the fairy tale. You couldn't' call Mitt Romeny or Giuliani's side fairy tale. Apocalyptic would be more accurate. Give me a break. Clinton is getting treated as conservatives always are. Funny how that conservative media turns on the less liberal of the two candidates.
The fairy tale comment by Clinton had nothing to do with race it had to do with media created perception.
Lauer and Begala
January 10, 2008 - 12:06 ET by iveseenitallWhat a great conversation. Lauer and Begala---believe it or not, these guys are two of the smartest men on the left side of the aisle. Riveting!
....Clinton is getting
January 10, 2008 - 13:46 ET by bigtimer....Clinton is getting treated as conservatives always are.
Couldn't of said it better Dee...that is what has been delicious for me...and it's way past time...better late than never.
The Clintoons just can't believe they don't have the strangle-hold anymore over their own party or all of the leftist msm.
Their true colors are showing, and it has been red...as in red-hot anger.
I am really enjoying this all with the two most corrupt team in Washington DC.
Glad Hillary has finally found her own voice at her age...this will last only so long too...before she resumes her real self once again, it is inevitable.
"at her age"
January 10, 2008 - 14:00 ET by iveseenitallHi, BT:
"at her age"--Great point! Do they mean to say it has taken her 60+ years to find her own voice? Wow, what an independent woman!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
isia... She is nothing,
January 10, 2008 - 14:08 ET by bigtimerisia...
She is nothing, she is a soulless calculating evil woman who will do anything to anyone to be the Prez again.
I really am enjoying the downfall of these two critters who have been nothing but destruction in this country.
I despise them both.
Hi BT, Iron my shirts!!!
January 10, 2008 - 14:02 ET by bassndudeHi BT, Iron my shirts!!! :-)
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
bass... Be glad too...be
January 10, 2008 - 14:05 ET by bigtimerbass...
Be glad too...be sure to send iron and ironing board with the shirts though!
(Actually, believe it or not I used to love to iron....lol!)
I have an ironing board and
January 10, 2008 - 14:07 ET by bassndudeI have an ironing board and an iron. Wonder what the freight would be? lol. They are in the back closet. You want the spider webs to?
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Hi BT! - I don't know what scares me more though
January 10, 2008 - 14:09 ET by Dee BunkObama or Clinton as President. Clinton would definitely be more corrupt, but Obama is even more liberal. If Obama wins the nom then I think it will be harder for Republicans.
Look at it this way Dee.
January 10, 2008 - 14:13 ET by bassndudeLook at it this way Dee. Obama would be like Jimmy Carter, Clinton would be like finger nails on a chalk board.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
You are right on Obama Bass - He's very similar to Carter
January 10, 2008 - 15:20 ET by Dee Bunkand Hillary = Lyndon Johnson. I'd rather have Johnson than Carter running the country. Either choice turns my stomach though.
I feel your pain Dee, I
January 10, 2008 - 14:15 ET by bigtimerI feel your pain Dee, I have been back and forth in my mind with the scenario too...I want the destruction of these two creatures who have got away with everything form A-Z since the have been on the tax-payers dole....since the law won't put them away, we the people have to.
One good thing about it, neither one of them will be in the WH, Obama or Clinton....I would rather we run against Hillary though, she will be easier to take down IMO.
Plus even if Obama did get in he has to go through Congress, I just pray we have enough people on our side fired up to go vote, we are in such trouble with the Senate, retaking the House will be difficult too...I hope whoever our candidate is, he will fire up the conservatives/others to go vote.
B.O.
January 10, 2008 - 14:45 ET by iveseenitallB.O. knows how to fire up all the ignorant "liberal" sheep in this nation. Thinking isn't a strong point for the "liberals". Thinking deeply about anything is beyond their ken. I see a toss-up between B.O. and Shrill. Both are socialists/communist who will do basically the same thing to our nation---destroy it. They are two sides of the same coin. We need a good, solid conservative who will follow basic conservative principles. Maybe even that won't be enough, but is necessary nonetheless.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
BT - I love your enthusiasm and confidence
January 10, 2008 - 15:27 ET by Dee BunkI need to spend more time here because all of you guys are so much more positive than I am. I'm so pessimistic. It doesn't help living in Obama land over here. Many Republican's in IL are fooled by the media's characterization of Obama.
Dee....I am at this
January 10, 2008 - 15:37 ET by bigtimerDee....
I am at this point somewhat worried too, this I would think is natural...the leftists have the dem msm who are goo-goo over Obama and some still sticking by Hillary in some areas...I'm not unrealistic, I just like to be positive most times, and I have been off of here for over a week because my monitor went poof the day of the Iowa caucus's til late last night...so I have been unable to comment during all of the debates over last week-end and the NH votes let alone the Hill adn Bill phony red-hot shows....most likely a good thing I couldn't post.... heheheee...
Anyway we need someone positively fired up leading our side, Thompson has always said he was waiting until the SC primary to really start up, so time will tell for me with wanting Thompson to win, but it may be too late, I hope not.
I'm also not counting Romney out either.
Plus Rudy is waitin' to really start up in Florida...we may not know a lot until both conventions really serve a purpose for a change...lol.
That stinks about your monitor BT.
January 10, 2008 - 16:22 ET by Dee BunkI'm hoping for Thompson or Romney also. I would also vote for Guliani if he wins but I'm not sure I could vote for McCain and I won't vote for Huckabee if he wins.