How unbalanced was MSNBC's "Race for the White House" panel this evening? The two Obama-friendly panelists—Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post and Richard Wolffe of Newsweek—were ostensibly offset by Philly radio talker Michael Smerconish and Independent Women's Forum head Michelle Bernard. But channeling Dem congressman James Clyburn on this morning's Today, Smerc called the House Republicans "sophomoric." That was nothing. One-upping Smerconish in the pejorative department, Bernard said that every recent McCain move has been "like an epileptic fit."
Joe Scarborough, putting in a long day's work and subbing for regular host David Gregory, teed up Bernard's snipe with a negative take of his own on McCain's behavior.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: Michelle, if Barack Obama has been measured over the last several weeks, John McCain has looked erratic, hasn't he?Note that "erratic" is a favorite Obama-campaign buzzword in describing McCain, no doubt trying to invoke the image of a doddering old man. Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton used the very word in an MSNBC interview I saw earlier in the day, just as one example.
In any case, Bernard ran with the ball.
MICHELLE BERNARD: He has. This is a very difficult time-period for the McCain campaign. He has looked erratic, he's looked irascible. It's almost as if every movement he's making is like an epileptic fit.
Nice. Would it be too tough for the show producers to find an actual McCain supporter somewhere in the political universe?
Note: I'm sure Bernard was referring to McCain's political moves, not his physical ones. But, oddly, she did use the word "movement," not "move." Check the video.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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I occassionally listen to
September 30, 2008 - 21:04 ET by HermanoI occassionally listen to Smerconish here in Philly and he is not what I would call right or left leaning. I would rather say that if a lawmaker does something stupid, he is going to call them out on it. He does not care which side of the aisle they sit on. He is usually pretty good with his research. "Sophomoric" is the right word for the entire Congress. Let's vote 'em all out.
The Newsbusters Comments Crew: Saving the Environment - One Ribeye at a Time! h/t Dr_Liberty
Who does Bernard represent, again?
September 30, 2008 - 21:42 ET by Mike BrattonThe Independently Clueless Forum?
She couldn't have sounded less informed if she had opined that Sen. McCain looked like he was being tortured when he spoke. Or if she thought that Obama would beat him like a P.O.W. being held by the North Vietnamese.
The best we'll get from Bernard is some "I'm sorry if I offended anyone" faux apology. If that.
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
Mark!!! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS!!!
September 30, 2008 - 23:14 ET by TheSterVP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76645
The moderator of Thursday's vice presidential debate between Democrat Sen. Joe Biden and GOP Gov. Sarah Palin is writing a book, to come out about the time the next president takes the oath of office, to "shed new light" on Democratic candidate Barack Obama and other "emerging young African American politicians" who are "forging a bold new path to political power."
Comments....I'm speechless!! McCain campaign didn't see this??
Ster.
With Gwen Ifill I am not
October 1, 2008 - 06:20 ET by SeashellWith Gwen Ifill I am not surprised. Why can't they get someone like Brit Hume to do this?
pathetic and unpatriotic
October 1, 2008 - 01:03 ET by wdhorningMcCain's movements are because he is a hero, unlike the total failires at MSNBC, who cannot tell the difference between a toilet bowl and a punch bowl.
Sure Michelle
October 1, 2008 - 01:50 ET by NorthCoasterI suppose you would pick on FDR for being a cripple? Oh, not FDR because he was a Dem.
Would it be too tough for
October 1, 2008 - 06:14 ET by SeashellWould it be too tough for the show producers to find an actual McCain supporter somewhere in the political universe?
This is what I would like to know. All the guest they have on are from the WaPo, Time mag., Newsweek, NYT's, etc. No one from a conserative leaning paper, mag. or organizatioin.
Imagine a Republican had said "epileptic fit"
October 1, 2008 - 06:42 ET by Blogger Guy00001If a Republican had said the words "epileptic fit", the media would be all over him. A liberal says them, and the media are happy. Media bias?