Shades of Pauline Kael! Tuning to Ronan Farrow's MSNBC show today, I was surprised to find him in Paris, and asked myself: what is he doing there? One thing shortly became clear, he wasn't talking to a wide range of people.
Because in discussing the absence of any top US officials from President Obama on down from the Paris march yesterday, Farrow claimed that "everyone here that I spoke to personally said they understood the limitations of schedule that led to that." Everyone? Really, Ronan? What kind of bubble do you float in?
Farrow later added that "and of course, Eric Holder was here. Although he wasn't at the rally. It's important to note as well." Ronan seemed to be offering that in defense of the Obama admin, whereas in fact it was a further indictment. Since Holder was there, why the heck couldn't he have attended?
RONAN FARROW: One of the things that people in this crowd were reacting to yesterday was who wasn't in attendance, that includes President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry. Both still back home, although Kerry did turn out to make comments and we did see some officials marching with the French ambassador in Washington. Everyone here that I spoke to personally said they understood the limitations of schedule that led to that.
. . .
CHRIS JANSING: Administration officials say where it counts the most, the president and the administration stands [sic] firmly with France. Ronan?
FARROW: And of course, Eric Holder was here. Although he wasn't at the rally. That's important to note as well.
