Jeff Cohen, founder of FAIR—a self-described progressive media watch group—now a professor of independent media at Ithaca College, invited me to address his class of student bloggers this afternoon. Asked to name some of the fairer MSM journalists, I included David Gregory on my short list. That could understandably come as a surprise to those who remember Gregory from his days as NBC's chief White House correspondent, when he earned the ire of the Bush administration for his often-aggressive style. But I've found that Gregory plays it pretty much down the middle in his new role as host of Race for the White House on MSNBC.
By coincidence, on this evening's show Gregory vindicated my confidence with some tough questioning of an Obama surrogate on the issue of taxes and spending. Gregory went so far as to suggest that Obama's indication that he might not press for immediate implementation of tax increases on higher earners makes McCain's case. Gregory's guest was Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. When Van Hollen suggested Obama might postpone his tax-increase plan, Gregory moved in . . .
View video here.
VAN HOLLEN: Even Barack Obama has talked about a question of timing with respect to rolling back the Bush tax cuts on the very wealthy, and whether or not that's something you would do right away given the economic situation, or whether that's something you would postpone . . .DAVID GREGORY: That's a very important point you're making there: I'd like to flesh that out. You're saying now that it would be potentially postponed, that rolling back the Bush tax cuts would not be an immediate priority of a Democratic congress under Barack Obama . . . Isn't that an acknowledgment that it is a risky thing thing to do, to raise taxes on anybody in this economic climate, if you're conceding that perhaps we have to cut taxes, that's the #1 thing we have to do for the middle class, but to raise taxes on even upper-income Americans would really hurt the economy. Doesn't that basically confirm John McCain's argument and his difference with Barack Obama?
After Van Hollen's windy response wound down, Gregory hit him on Obama's failure to identify any real spending cuts he would make.
GREGORY: Barack Obama has not outlined any program that he's promising that he would cut, or that he would forego, given this economic crisis. Can you name me one?VAN HOLLEN: Well, what Barack Obama has said is that he wants to look across the whole area of the federal government and make smart reductions, and there are reductions --
GREGORY: Doesn't everybody promise that? Have you ever heard of a leader who doesn't promise that?
Not bad!
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Nice!!
October 28, 2008 - 20:11 ET by mvfreemanSomeone in the MSM finally challenges the O's class warfare strategy.
I've said before that O has two years to try to f*** things up before the electorate says WTF and votes the dems out of congress.
Remember how Clinton had to tack way back to the center after his approval plummeting first two years? The democrats got slaughtered in the mid terms.
ahh
October 28, 2008 - 20:13 ET by candanceI remember the good old days when it was crude to hint at the F word.
Change is what you're left with when you've spent all your dollars.
Heh.
October 28, 2008 - 20:25 ET by mvfreemanPleasure to trigger your nostalgia.
;)
Candance,
October 28, 2008 - 22:12 ET by RESTLESS 1Hinting at it beats saying it outright, a bad habit I have succumbed to on occasion, depending on which troll has raised my ire at the time. :)
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
it won't take long this time, either
October 29, 2008 - 05:30 ET by sentforth5Even if obama bin laden gets in he won't last...check out The Great Book of Daniel ch 11 v. 20...he won't last.
flippin+*?dagnab%$#lousy sti**>indemocrats.
Daniel Ch 11 v.20
October 29, 2008 - 07:43 ET by SpockIts not verse 20 that worries me as much as verse 21.
"I told a black friend of mine that she was a racist if she didn't vote for McCain."
Sorry, Mark, I simply don't
October 28, 2008 - 20:18 ET by ThisnThatSorry, Mark, I simply don't agree with you on Gregory's "fairness". For years he looked for every opportunity to take unfair shots at President Bush, and given the chance to do so again (or at any other target of his choice) he would do so. Acting decent in one gig doesn't make up for past actions for which he doesn't regret in the slightest. No way I could count on Gregory to provide a fair and balanced report, or to represent the true interests of the country in his questioning.
It could be that I simply don't forget and forgive. I know I will never, ever give a damn penny to United Way or even bother to stop and piss on a CVS store wall for the despictable way they treated the Boy Scouts. But that's just me, I guess.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
I hear you. All I can say
October 28, 2008 - 20:20 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI hear you. All I can say is that I watch Race for the White House most nights, and have been pleasantly surprised by Gregory's performance. If other readers have been watching the show, I'd appreciate getting their reaction.
Well, keep an eye on him,
October 28, 2008 - 20:28 ET by ThisnThatWell, keep an eye on him, because I don't believe a person like he can turn 180 degrees. The real test might be if McCain wins -- what will Gregory be like then?
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Sorry, Mark.....
October 28, 2008 - 20:31 ET by BlondeI'm going to have to go back to my default tag....
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
.....right after the election.
That was, and shall remain, spot on!
In his own words (19 seconds): This man is qualified to be VP?
but to raise taxes on even
October 28, 2008 - 20:37 ET by TN Mombut to raise taxes on even upper-income Americans would really hurt the economy. Doesn't that basically confirm John McCain's argument and his difference with Barack Obama?
Shopping in a local pet store today, I was talking to 4 employees about Obama's Tax Plan, and how it will kill small business. I looked at the 4 of them and said: "If Obama is elected, his Tax Plan INCREASE on your boss, combined with min. wage increases and Health-Care mandates will cost THREE of YOU YOUR JOBS."
Well done! What kind of
October 28, 2008 - 20:46 ET by Mark FinkelsteinWell done! What kind of pets do you have, by the way? I have two parrots, an African grey and a lovebird, and the weekend after the election will be adding a red-front macaw to my flock. He will either be a celebration or a consolation bird for me!
Mark
October 28, 2008 - 21:07 ET by TN MomKing Charles Cavalier puppy...so cute! Two Pomerainans. And a Yellow-Nape Amazon who's name is......ELVIS!!
Elvis sings "Born Free" all the time..
A fellow parrot owner: very
October 28, 2008 - 21:26 ET by Mark FinkelsteinA fellow parrot owner: very cool! And Cavaliers and Pomeranians have to be some of the cutest dogs!
PS: I'm assuming Elivs sings ;-)
PPS: I've heard Amazons can be feisty. How would you describe Elvis's personality?
Elvis is very tame..unless
October 28, 2008 - 21:51 ET by TN MomElvis is very tame..unless he's moulting, then we don't touch him as they can take off a finger in a single bite. Screehes at sunset every day...but most all birds do that.
Had a Cockatoo named Kilo once. Went nuts when we had dinner parties. Found out later the pet consignment shop owner got him from a drug dealer (I had written a personal check to the drug dealer for $800). I was afraid the police would show up and arrest me. Beautiful bird. White w/Orange head (TN VOLS).
"I gave $800 to a drug
October 29, 2008 - 04:30 ET by Mark Finkelstein"I gave $800 to a drug dealer and all I got was this bird" ;-)
Interesting about Elvis being so tame except during moulting. I just listened to a podcast specifically about amazons, and I gather there can be a big variation among the different species of amazon, and from bird to bird.
Well, if Kilo had the Volunteers colors, perhaps, if you're allo Titans fans, you could get a blue jay ;-)
Sounds like a Moluccan
October 29, 2008 - 11:38 ET by Tim the EnchanterSounds like a Moluccan Cockatoo- also known as Salmon-Crested Cockatoo. They are about medium-cat size, and are some of the most affectionate birds I've ever seen.
Two pets here Mark,
October 28, 2008 - 22:16 ET by RESTLESS 1Two males of the Homo-Drivemecrazius family, (otherwise known as two sons, aged 3 and 5. :)
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
You are so lucky! Property
October 28, 2008 - 22:21 ET by HermanoYou are so lucky! Property damage versus hormones. 6 girls in my house - 5 now - the 20 yo is out :) leaving 12, 10, 8, 6 and 3.
http://theobamafile.com/
Ouch!!!
October 28, 2008 - 22:35 ET by RESTLESS 1I feel for you there Hermano. I would gather you store your clothes offsite, as there can't be any closet space for you. :)
"This
liberal would be all about socialize -- uh, uh, would be about
basically taking over and the government running all of your companies."-Maxine Waters 2008
You wouldn't believe me if
October 28, 2008 - 22:56 ET by HermanoYou wouldn't believe me if I told you, but here goes. I actually own my own closet. However, we do have one whole room in the house that is full of clothes - 25x15' room. Really pisses me off. Used to be for the pool table.
http://theobamafile.com/
RESTLESS
October 28, 2008 - 22:28 ET by cocodrieI have two sons also. Youngest is 47. they were from the Mischievous- Plentibus family.
I prescribe a daily dose of
October 29, 2008 - 04:32 ET by Mark FinkelsteinI prescribe a daily dose of NewsBusters to restore your sanity ;-)
Hello Mark- didn't know you
October 29, 2008 - 11:35 ET by Tim the EnchanterHello Mark- didn't know you were a bird owner. I have an African Grey as well ("Scotty"), a Lutino cockatiel, three Blue Merle Shelties, and two cats (will be three by this weekend). Where I attend church, they've set up a sort of bird rescue, and I've had the pleasure of seeing some birds that you only get to see at a zoo or on TV. For example, they have Military Macaws, Severe Macaws, Scarlets, Blue and Golds, Sun Conures, five different breeds of Amazon parrots (yellow naped, blue fronted, etc.), Moluccan Cockatoos, Sulfer-Crested, Umbrella, Golfin's Cockatoos, Quaker Parrots, Budgies, etc., etc., etc. Some of these birds have such unbelievable personalities- I have to wonder who came up with the phrase "bird brain". I could go on and on about this.
Careful David Gregory...ask
October 28, 2008 - 21:04 ET by moovovaCareful David Gregory...ask too many tough questions and Obama will cut MSNBC off at the knees. "The Obama campaign feels your questions were out of line and totally unprofessional. As a result of your failure to provide a healthy and meaningful environment for this interview, we will no longer allow MSNBC to interview our candidates...".
Reductions you say!!!
October 28, 2008 - 21:27 ET by JPR1"...he wants to look across the whole area of the federal government and make smart reductions..."
There's a late campaign talking point for ya.
Obama has got this fancy-assed education and has been a political player for 6 years yet he still cannot identify something he would reduce in the federal government. The only thing this jackass wants to reduce is the wealth and security of someone who has striven to achieve on their own.
Let's help him out and start a list of federal government expentitures that could be reduced:
Stroke of the pen...
Public braodcasting, 50% cut, minimum.
You want to talk fairness doctrine, start here!
Funding for "The Arts" 50% cut, minimum.
Should a taxpayer fund the efforts of some degenerate little pr!<k wishing to denigrate traditional values and principials when he would just as soon punch him in the face? I think not!
Damn I'm sick of these people. I wish I still had a heavy bag in the basement.
Why didn't Van Hollen go all
October 28, 2008 - 21:29 ET by Mark FinkelsteinWhy didn't Van Hollen go all the way and claim Obama would eliminate "waste, fraud and abuse"? ;-)
Good question Mark...
October 28, 2008 - 22:31 ET by JPR1Haven't heard a whole lot about "waste" this election. Plenty of charges of fraud and abuse though. Here in MN Franken has been falsely accusing Coleman of both. Most of us know he just wants a slice of the pie; at least I hope it's most of us!
He can do better
October 28, 2008 - 21:33 ET by oilcanYou know, I've watched the RFTWH a couple of times, err, listened to it as I was prepping my kitty's dinner and didn't hear so much in the way of McCain/Palin bashing. It's when I let it run over into Hardball is when I get the headache.
However, it's when Gregory pops in on another show, as an analyst or part of a discussion panel is when he lets loose with MSM drivel.
i dont think we should raise
October 28, 2008 - 22:16 ET by hirogen73i dont think we should raise taxes at this time because the taxes are high right now and it hard to open up small business at this time. but they say econamy is bad right now and that is lying because i live by the kwik shop and they gas is only like 2.29 to have gallon of gas at this time and that is cheaper so econamy is strong and we should not veto for democrat but we shoudl veto for repulblican for president so please veto for john maccain because he know how to be maverick and shake up washington and he will do that when he move there after he become president and gas will get lower and we will drill in america and have cheapest gas in the country, right
Mr. Gregory is really objective....
October 28, 2008 - 22:21 ET by semolina_filcherDavid Gregory not biased? My axe...
This just in!
October 28, 2008 - 23:30 ET by JnobleDavid Gregory has been reported missing. The last thing anyone heard was that he was going on a row-boat ride across a lake one on one with a nice man from the Obama team and some concrete blocks....
:-)
?
October 28, 2008 - 23:43 ET by owlpellets"Fredo" Gregory?
I always wanted to get into politics, but I was never light enough to make the team.
»→ It's not risky
October 29, 2008 - 00:14 ET by Cool ArrowRisk requires an an element of uncertainty.
Of course one could argue pulling the trigger while pointing a loaded gun to the head may result in a misfire, but at some point "risky" ceases as an adequate descriptor.
We, and Gregory, know damned well what when happens you raise taxes. But the Obama plan couldn't care less whether everybody gets rich or everybody gets poor. Same difference.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
David Gregory
October 29, 2008 - 01:37 ET by Conservative VoiceTo be certain most media folks are Democrat, but they have 401 Ks and investments, I am sure that is why a few are beginning to question the One's economic policies.
»→ Maybe so
October 29, 2008 - 04:35 ET by Cool ArrowIf these journalists' 401k plans continue to sink, it's because they march blindly towards Obama as though he were an angel of light.
This market is more predictable than I've ever seen it.
When the market gets scared, get brave.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Late attempt at fairness is FAKE
October 29, 2008 - 07:26 ET by Dennis DI have found the past week or so that the MSM has become slightly more even handed in their reporting. This is because they are comfortable with the Obama lead and can now vindicate themselves. Gregory has been in the tank for Obama for a year .