I've been trying to give Chuck Todd the benefit of the doubt when it comes to classifying him as part of what Rush would call the state-controlled media. But that indulgence was strained to the breaking point on Morning Joe today when Todd flatly rejected the notion that the MSM had under-covered the Van Jones story and suggested that delving into his background would have been a waste of MSM time.
JOE SCARBOROUGH: You say this has been a Republican obsession, ACORN. It certainly hasn't been an obsession in the media. Mike Allen said the mainstream media was slow on the Van Jones story, also slow on this [ACORN] story. Is that a fair charge?
CHUCK TODD: You know, no . . .Interesting indeed. So it wasn't worth the MSM's time to cover Van Jones. Let's review:I think Van Jones was not, this was not a big guy in the White House administration. If we're all going to focus on trying to figure out who Van Jones and his past relationships, when you go #600 down on the list of White House staff. Is that the best use of the time of the mainstream media? You know, we'll see. Clearly some on the right had objections to Van Jones and they successfully got the White House to sever ties.Story Continues Below Ad ↓
SCARBOROUGH: OK.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Interesting take.
- hand-picked by top Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett.
- self-described "Communist" in the 90s.
- leading member of the Marxist "STORM" organization.
- Signed-on-the-dotted-line Truther.
- responsible for crafting PBO's "green jobs" initiative, something near to the president's policy heart.
Even the New York Times has acknowledged that it was late to the Van Jones game. So Todd places NBC to even the Gray Lady's left when it comes to covering for the Obama admin.
Note: Joe and Mika seemed skeptical of Todd's argument, Scarborough mentioning they would discuss on their radio show later this morning Todd's notion that Jones wasn't worth covering.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Watching Chuck Todd is a waste of time.
September 15, 2009 - 07:28 ET by R D Helm-Dave
I agree with Rush. It's time for Obama to resign.
Do you know what's a waste of my time?
September 15, 2009 - 07:28 ET by FuzzlenutterPaying any attention to the MSM...
MSM is no longer accurate.
September 15, 2009 - 07:57 ET by danboMSM is no longer accurate. Dead Media may be more accurate.
Limited Disclosure: I used to belong to the Sierra Club untill they went crazier. Worse of all, I was bribed by Exxon with free New Orleans Saints glasses with fill ups in the 70's.
Maybe delving into his
September 15, 2009 - 08:07 ET by motherbeltMaybe delving into his background would have been a waste of time the day he was named. But surely, when info started to trickle out about his questionable connections, one would think they would have a teeeeny bit of interest, even if they were trying to debunk it!
"If we don't report it, it doesn't exist" is not a viable business model, Chuck.
But surely ...
September 15, 2009 - 09:32 ET by KC MulvilleWith the dead media, all bets are off.
This is why the public actively distrusts the media. When they offer such lame excuses for not covering stories ... but everyone knows that the reason they didn't cover it was because it made Obama look bad ... they have no credibility. These are like firemen who won't go near a burning building, but want to protect buildings that are perfectly safe.
Note: I happened to catch Bernie Goldberg on O'Reilly last night (i.e., the Phillies weren't playing). He made an excellent suggestion. Why do we still call them the "mainstream" media, when they certainly don't represent the mainstream? The I saw the phrase "Legacy" media, and I loved it. As a computer guy who wrestles with legacy software all day, that label appeals to me.
Once in Awhile
September 15, 2009 - 07:32 ET by rightwingidiotOnce in awhile I think that Todd might actually be halfway not in the tank for Obeyme.
Then he opens his mouth and spews this crap and I know that he's all-in for Obeyme.
Kinda depressing that they won't question anything that he says or does.
He was only in charge of ...
September 15, 2009 - 07:43 ET by superconsixty Beellion dollars! Chump change for Todd I guess. If someone wants the most up to date and accurate political information they certainly do not turn to NBC unless they want to watch a network anchor bowing like a palace chamber maid.
" if Republicans are able to stop Barack Obama on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo, it will break him...." -Sen. Jim DeMint
Van Jones
September 15, 2009 - 07:54 ET by adamsmithVan Jones was responsible for what?, 30 billion dollars and he wasn't worth reporting on? Only if you're a Communist sympathizer...
I'm waiting to see if there is any film or audio of Big Brother Barack(he was an attorney and trainer for ACORN) spewing something about whitey or crackers comes up. Or maybe it's just evidence of him how to advise how to be anti-American...I feel that ACORN will be what leads Obama to resign, possibly in the next few months...Racism is what will do him in...How's that post racial Presidency doin' for ya now, commies??????All their race cards are getting worn out in double time....
Hey Chuck, got your job
September 15, 2009 - 07:56 ET by nadadhimmiHey Chuck, got your job resume ready? Here's some news for you moron. People HATE YOUR GUTS, and the msm in general. There will always be the 28% that support Obama and the Dems because they WANT FREE MONEY. The rest of the people, the working people despise you and your ilk. I won't support you or your stinking network or stinking policies.
It's a matter of perception Chuckie!
September 15, 2009 - 08:04 ET by theduck6If you can see someone to your left and someone to your right you get the mistaken impression you are in the middle. If you step outside your comfort zone you get a better picture of your true position. Yeah right!
Hey, Chuck....no one who is
September 15, 2009 - 08:03 ET by motherbeltHey, Chuck....no one who is a "czar" of anything is Number 600 down the list in the White House.
The "Green Jobs Czar" isn't important?
<Chris Matthews imitation> HA!
I see, Chuck. What's important is arguing ad nauseam about how many people showed up in DC on September 12.
Now that's coverage worth its weight in gold!
Jones was not a big guy, was
September 15, 2009 - 08:04 ET by SickofLibsJones was not a big guy, was "#600 down" on Obama's list, yet was in charge of billions and billions of dollars?
Todd should learn to take the high road once in a while, or he may be in danger of coming across as just another garden-variety NBC hack. /s
What is a complete waste of
September 15, 2009 - 08:07 ET by BigSky1970What is a complete waste of time are all these prison documentaries that air over and over again on MSBHO.
I don't recall 20/20, or Dateline NBC or CBS' 60 Minutes
even covering the Van Jones story. These are in fact investigative journalism programs.
The Van Jones story would have been worthy of a segment on any one of
these shows.
I don't expect the NY Times to do any sort of investigative journalism, unless is happens to involve a Republican with a mistress.
Yet, MSBHO seems to cover the Joe Wilson "You Lie!" remark as if there should be Senate hearings convened and we get to the bottom of what Joe knew and when.
priority
September 15, 2009 - 08:05 ET by totalkaosdaveTotalKaosDave
Van Jones was clearly not as compelling as a 20 year old thesis written by a wannabe politician (as far as the Globe is concerned).
Todd said...
September 15, 2009 - 08:14 ET by Tugboat Phil"I think Van Jones was not, this was not a big guy in the White House administration."
This would mean so much more had he and the others had vetted the "big guy" in the White House.
Jones didn't need to be
September 15, 2009 - 08:45 ET by BigSky1970Jones didn't need to be vetted by this White House. Obama knew this guy like he knew Bill Ayers. The connections are all there, it's absolutely mindboggling that people believe Obama didn't know about this guy. Van Jones is still working in some capacity close to the Oval Office, he's just in a position that puts him further under the radar.
Chuck Todd is not worth
September 15, 2009 - 08:20 ET by Ruths husband BenChuck Todd is not worth watching so what ever he covers is meaningless.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho
MSLSD...
September 15, 2009 - 08:44 ET by danybhoyBen,
It not only Chuck Todd ain't worth watching, it's also the fact nobody does watch MSLSD, because THEY are meaningless. Their ratings prove it.
"...How blind can you be, don't you see...
...that the gambler lost all he does not have..."
Nightwish
At least Todd always smiles when he shows his bias
September 15, 2009 - 09:30 ET by kg"DumbAssity of Dope"
Waste of THEIR time
September 15, 2009 - 09:46 ET by slickwillie2001It is a waste of time in their mind, because the Van Jones story does nothing to promote their objectives, which are the same as the Bamster's objective.
I would like it noted on this and the 9/12 protest story and the ACORN story that Lou Dobbs alone at CNN is giving these stories a shot. Dobbs used to be mainstream within CNN, but in the last few years CNN has moved so far to the left that Dobbs stands out. It's only one hour of twenty-four, but it's the road back from oblivion if CNN wants one.
He's also welcome alternative to Shemp Smith at 7 ET on Fox.
I agree about Shepard
September 15, 2009 - 10:58 ET by compmanI agree about Shepard Smith. I cannot even bear to look at him. Much less hear his voice.
He is awful. Just awful.
A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. - Sir Winston Churchill
Shep has the smallest
September 15, 2009 - 11:17 ET by Red JeepShep has the smallest audience of any Fox shows from 5-11. He has been with Fox now for 10 years. Didn't realize I had not been watching him that long. Ought to put Beck in Shep's time slot.
Goebbels Media U.S.A.
September 15, 2009 - 10:15 ET by John Galt1776I think that about sums them up.
Macaca!
September 15, 2009 - 10:22 ET by Red JeepNow there was a story worthy of the MSM. Right, Chuck?
Van Jones, Communist, Czar, nah....
September 15, 2009 - 11:04 ET by jessieHThey will have plenty of time to cover Van Jones in the unemployment line. Or in prison, if the're not careful.
MSM is a waste of time
September 15, 2009 - 14:50 ET by upgradeThey can't waste time when Obama might give a speech at any given moment and they can't get all caught up in these distractions.