Tom Brokaw: talk show host or DNC enforcer? Barack Obama and Harry Reid were willing to let bygones be bygones, letting Joe Lieberman keep his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship.
But Lieberman's professed "regret" for statements he made in the course of supporting John McCain for president wasn't good enough for Brokaw. Interviewing the senator on Meet The Press today, Brokaw pointedly observed that he hadn't heard the word "apology" for Lieberman's lèse majesté. Brokaw broached the subject by asserting Lieberman needed to be held "accountable."
TOM BROKAW: You've always as a public servant held other people accountable. You were the only one who spoke out on the floor against Bill Clinton during the time of the impeachment. Holding yourself accountable, looking back over the last six weeks, two months or so, what are the statements you most regret?
Does Brokaw really mean to equate Clinton's lying to the American people with Lieberman's public expression of his preference of a candidate for office?
JOE LIEBERMAN: Well, I don't want to go into the details. Let me just say this. I don't regret having supported John McCain, because I sincerely believed in his experience and his extraordinary record of working across party lines to get things done. But I do regret, as I said to the caucus and afterward publicly, there were some things I said in the heat of a campaign I wish I'd said more clearly. There are other things, frankly, I wish I hadn't said at all. That happens to all of us in the heat of a campaign. But nonetheless, I regret it.
That wasn't good enough for Brokaw. A bit later . . .
BROKAW: I hear the word "regret" but not the word "apology."Managing to smile through his answer, Lieberman resisted the natural impulse to suggest to his host what he might do with his proposed apology.
LIEBERMAN: Well, I do, I regret it, I mean [chuckles], I don't, you know, I'm going forward. You can take from the word "regret" what you will.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Apology?
November 23, 2008 - 13:20 ET by allanfWhy on earth should he apologize? If it bothers you that much Tom, throw away vote number 60 and kick him out of your Party!!!
thanks Joe
November 23, 2008 - 13:23 ET by katainkentfor not completely bending to the will of the opinionists.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
Joe Lieberman owes no apologies to anyone.
November 23, 2008 - 13:28 ET by R D HelmI am glad that Tom Brokaw was unable to force an apology out of Sen. Lieberman, as it shows Joe is willing to stick by his principles and not cave in just to get along with hyper-partisan messiah-worshipers like Brokaw.
-Dave
Did this country just elect Obama/Biden, or was it Soros/Ayers?
DUCT TAPE ALERT!!!
November 23, 2008 - 15:19 ET by motherbeltHoly Cow!!!! Hold on a minute....
OK, I'm wrapped up now...
Liberal "regrets" have always been enough for Brokaw up till now...
We have Democrats left and right saying that they "regretting" IF whatever stupid thing they said "offended anyone"....and getting away with it as "So-and-so apologized today..."
But Lieberman committed the unforgiveable sin....he "took sides against the family" to paraphrase Michael Corleone.
Apology owed
November 23, 2008 - 18:25 ET by ScrapironBrokaw owes the American people an apology for being a democrat party hack while pretending to be a news man. I never could stand listening to 'fish mouth' Brokaw, so I quit watch the Lame Stream Media.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
well said,
November 24, 2008 - 10:52 ET by TruthMongerwell said, concur
what...a...complete...f'ing...pompous...ass...thing...for...brokaw...to...even...suggest
and that is saying something
Dominate education now
"Reach out. Touch me."
November 23, 2008 - 13:30 ET by CrashWe all have our regrets. John McCain is right up there!
When Brokaw holds the MSM accountable for their agenda...
November 23, 2008 - 13:38 ET by ThalpyWhen Brokaw holds the MSM accountable for their agenda driven sedition, Senator Lieberman might consider an apology-pompous a-hole!
Where's Brokaw's apology?
November 23, 2008 - 13:54 ET by superconWhen will he apologize for being a lying,left-wing shill apologist for Barack Obama?
Will he apologize a year from now when we are in the worst finacial crisis in fifty years for helping to put Obama in the White House by completely tossing aside all ethics of objectivity and honesty?
BROKAW THE BROKER
November 23, 2008 - 14:31 ET by FC DOBBSWHO THE F---ING HELL DOES BIG TOM THINK HE IS?
OBAMA'S HENCH MAN OR THE DEMS BROKER? HE
SHOULD BE DEMANDING REGRETS FROM HIS SQUAD
AT MSNBC. I DOUBT VERY MUCH TIM RUSSET WOULD
HAVE PUT UP WITH THEIR DISGRACEFUL
SHENANIGANS. COME ON TOM; STRAIGHTEN
YOUR OWN CREW FIRST.
" PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN STONE HOUSES SHOULD'NT
THROW GLASSES" FC DOBBS
Well, now Brokaw will be
November 23, 2008 - 14:25 ET by ThisnThatWell, now Brokaw will be able to announce on the evening news: Breaking news. On Meet the Press, Leiberman....
It's not enough to report the news these days. One must also pay attention to the opportunities to create the news.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
This is just an example of
November 23, 2008 - 14:53 ET by d1carterThis is just an example of the MSM wielding its power. If it can pick our POTUS, then it can kick "misbehaving" politicians back into line. The 2008 campaign changed everything.
yes, how dare an American
November 24, 2008 - 10:54 ET by TruthMongeryes, how dare an American citizen VOTE ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN CONSCIENCE
if this kind of msm crap does not scare people into action nothing probably will my friends
Dominate education now
Joe Lieberman
November 23, 2008 - 15:09 ET by NorthCoasterJoe, please just walk away from the Democrats. They are just using you to damage the country.
delete
November 23, 2008 - 15:10 ET by motherbeltdelete
Lieberman has principles and Brokaw doesn't
November 23, 2008 - 15:17 ET by Worriedwhich is exactly why he won't apologize for jack! In fact, I hope he goes even further and votes against everything the 3 Stooges want and then they can relinquish him of his seat. I'd loved to see the reaction of Brokaw and the rest of his ilk then.
I bet the powers to be at
November 23, 2008 - 15:48 ET by sembyI bet the powers to be at "Meet the Press" regret that the former host is no longer hosting...............................
It just dawned on me as I
November 23, 2008 - 17:29 ET by msh1973It just dawned on me as I was reading what the arrogant Brokaw stated...the msm run this Country. It is sad to say, but they probably do...they managed to get Obama elected without ever telling the truth about him. It is just so unbelievable.
Brokaw thinks he can "shame" Lieberman into apologizing for having his own opinion and for daring to stand on his own principles. Brokaw is the one who needs to apologize to the American people...for not doing his job (you know the one he swore to uphold when he decided to become a journalist).
the msm run this Country?
November 23, 2008 - 20:46 ET by Red JeepI used to think so too. And, I am sure the MSM thinks it runs this country too, but do they really?
When you look at the number of viewers these news shows have, and TV in general, few are watching. Brokaw’s show, Meet the Press, might get 4 million viewers on a high rated Sunday out of 300 million Americans. Ironically more people listen to radio than watch TV.
I think the average uninformed American voter just decided it was time to give a black guy a chance and to heck with old white guys. And even if they had listened a bit to the MSM before voting they would have been lied to or misinformed by the MSM not reporting on certain things anyway so…?
Tom and the news boys think they make this country run, but the only thing they run is their mouths and fewer and fewer people are listening or watching.
I guess I missed it.
November 23, 2008 - 18:39 ET by krendlerSo has Brokaw requested apologies (or regret even) from ANY of Obama's surrogates for the multitude of despicable things that were said about John McCain during the campaign? Or Obama himself for that matter.
Barack: You claimed McCain and company were going to remind everyone that you were different and would say things like "and by the way, he's black." As it turns out, the only one that dwelled on race was you, your campaign, your surrogates and the media.
I won't hold my breath waiting for Brokaw's interview with Obama where he asks for such an apology.
krendler... Well, he did
November 23, 2008 - 18:54 ET by Clear thinkerkrendler...
Well, he did attend a racist church for almost 20 years. Ya think it influenced him just a little or alot? I'm a whitey and proud of it!
Obama The Next Great Communist Leader?
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
Holding yourself
November 23, 2008 - 19:06 ET by TN MomHolding yourself accountable, looking back over the last six weeks, two months or so, what are the statements you most regret?
This is the same question I would love to ask Tom Brokaw! Sadly, Brokaw doesn't hold himself accountable for biased news.
There's that double standard again
November 23, 2008 - 20:51 ET by Agrarian-DecentralistSo, if any prominent figure on the right (e.g., David Brooks, Kathleen Parker) veers from the conservative "line," he or she is subjected to withering contempt at NewsBusters. But if Brokaw does his job as a newsman, probing how far Lieberman may wish to go in repenting his recent status as turncoat on the left, that merits Newsbusters' condemnation.
Seriously AD?
November 23, 2008 - 21:10 ET by choselife3xThere is simply no comparison. Have any of those RINOs been pressed for an apology on national television? Do you think Brokaw would even imply they should apologise?
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
I vote for DNC
November 24, 2008 - 11:07 ET by RR GOPI vote for DNC enforcer.
One of the 24% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 89% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.