Interviewing Barney Frank this morning on proposals to regulate the financial markets, MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan seemed set on appeasing the notoriously rude representative. Ratigan had surely seen the video of Mark Haines' CNBC interview of Frank back in June, and was determined not to suffer the same fate, in which Frank ripped off his earpiece and ended the segment short.
Even before posing his first question to Frank, Ratigan began by laying a sop at the great man's feet: "I know you're working very hard on this legislation. And before we begin, I had a lot of folks come to me and say listen, make sure you thank the representative for his efforts to try to deal with this. You are dealing with an incredibly complicated problem with a variety of issues. So I wanted to pass along the appreciation of your efforts before we begin this conversation."
His tribute to Frank didn't spare Ratigan a reprimand when later on he dared to get in a word edgewise. So Ratigan naturally concluded the interview . . . by apologizing to Frank for having interrupted him.
DYLAN RATIGAN: I know you're working very hard on this legislation. And before we begin, I had a lot of folks come to me and say listen, make sure you thank the representative for his efforts to try to deal with this. You are dealing with an incredibly complicated problem with a variety of issues. So I wanted to pass along the appreciation of your efforts before we begin this conversation.. . .
Later, Frank rapped Ratigan's knuckles for presuming to interject while the great man was pontificating.
BARNEY FRANK: But we've already passed --Frank responded with classic condescension, coupled with a slap on Dylan's wrists.
DYLAN RATIGAN: But what about what she says about the --
FRANK: I'm trying to answer it --
RATIGAN: -- about the --
FRANK: I'm trying to answer it --
RATIGAN: -- failed specifically, which is the mechanism by which they risk our money and pay themselves, and they are lobbying aggressively to maintain --
FRANK: You know these things, these things are somewhat complicated. And they can't all be answered in eight seconds.Ratigan was duly remorseful.
RATIGAN: I know, no, I know.Ratigan ended with an apology, and a plea for future punishment.
FRANK: So I wish you would let me answer the question.
RATIGAN: Yeah, I know.
RATIGAN: Representative, I appreciate the conversation with you, and your indulging some of my interruption, and I look forward to having a conversation with you about this again sooner rather than later.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.




















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Media Jeopardy
September 15, 2009 - 10:31 ET by KC MulvilleCategory: 14 letter words
Answer: What does Barney Frank demand from the media?
Question: What is obsequiousness?
The fox is guarding the
September 15, 2009 - 10:38 ET by G. MayThe fox is guarding the henhouse.
This is the guy at the very top of Heap o' Democrats responsible for the financial meltdown in this country.
In other news, Dylan Ratigan is a creampuff.
Ratigan is not a creampuff.
September 15, 2009 - 13:13 ET by SweetnessAu contraire, he has that special combination of not knowing what he is talking about and doing it very loudly. You saw a bit of it when he started to press Barney, but then likely had a little bird whisper in his ear to be nice.
I hated watching Ratigan on CNBC, but saw enough to know he would not apologize on his own.
Your phrase
September 15, 2009 - 22:03 ET by Tugboat Phil"This is the guy at the very top of Heap o' Democrats", made me throw up a bit.
Gun Control - The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her own pantyhose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that fatal bullet wound.
→ Let me help, Phil
September 15, 2009 - 22:06 ET by Cool ArrowAnd he's covered in shaving cream.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
There are
September 15, 2009 - 10:45 ET by boomerconAngry black people, and there are angry gay people. They all get their views up front by using sharp elbows and the guilt of those of us who never did them any harm (or owned any slaves, etc. etc.).
Angry white people are just downright racist, homophobes, and don't deserve to have their opinions heard, based on SRM positions.
I'm with Dick Armey: Barney F*g. He needs to just quit being a drama queen in a constant hissy fit, and get out of the way of honest people. And he can take that tax cheating Charlie Rangel with him.
they had a conversation?
September 15, 2009 - 10:45 ET by jon_torlinSeemed a bit one-sided to me.
He and Dodd need to be thrown in jail. Along with a LOT of others...
-Jon
Some people are easily
September 15, 2009 - 11:23 ET by kgSome people are easily impressed. Sadly they are the so-called watchdogs in their media.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
Ratigan was the popular
September 15, 2009 - 11:29 ET by jdhawkRatigan was the popular anchor for the stock market show on CNBC called Fast Money. He was fired because of his outspoken stance on the shennigans of this administration. He obvious sucking up to the likes Frank is an effort to keep his job despite his own personal thinking on the matter.
But, hey who watches MSNBC anyway? Here is more proof that less and less do so:
CABLE NEWS RACE
FRI., SEPT 11, 2009
FOXNEWS O'REILLY 3,212,000
FOXNEWS HANNITY 2,644,000
FOXNEWS BECK 2,544,000
FOXNEWS BAIER 1,968,000
FOXNEWS SHEP 1,705,000
MSNBC OLBERMANN 1,067,000
MSNBC MADDOW 948,000
CNN BLITZER 889,000
CNN KING 875,000
September 15, 2009 - 11:39 ET by jessieHBarney Frank is one of the key reasons for the Fannie & Freddie fiasco. He was the one who said there was nothing wrong with the two. This man(?) shouldn't even be in office. He has corruption written all over his face. Ratigan is just a suck-up. Poor excuse for a journalist.