On Thursday, NewsBusters asked, "How Will Media Cover Rush Limbaugh's Bipartisan Stimulus Plan?"
Moments later, we got our first clue as the conservative talk radio host was interviewed by CNBC's Erin Burnett and Mark Haines.
UPDATE: Better functioning video now embedded; bonus "Fox & Friends" interview video also added at end of post.
Most fascinating, Burnett, who has come across as left of center and pro-Obama, seemed much more interested in Limbaugh's views on this issue than Haines who not only has always struck me as conservative, but has also been quite hostile to Obama's economic positions as well as all the government spending since the financial crisis began last September (video embedded below the fold, full transcript available here):
Almost seemed like a good cop/bad cop interview, with Haines oddly playing the latter. In particular, Mark was intent on pinning Rush down about what he felt was hypocritical for the conservative host to be pushing bipartisanship now when no such pressure was put upon President Bush by the right to work with Democrats.
In reality, this was a false premise on Haines's part for conservatives like Limbaugh aren't interested in bipartisanship. It is, in fact, liberals and their media minions fixated on such compromise, for as Limbaugh pointed out, bipartisanship to the left means Republicans bending over backwards to assist Democrats in furthering their agenda.
The opposite never applies, for when Bush was president and Democrats blocked his initiatives -- take Social Security reform for example -- media were quite pleased by the lack of bipartisanship and defended Democrat obstruction as being principled and righteous.
With that in mind, as bipartisanship is lauded by the left, and a campaign promise by candidate Obama, it is by no means hypocritical of a conservative to now offer what liberals say they strive for.
This was clearly lost on Haines.
After the interview was completed, Burnett and Haines chatted about how it went with the former saying she found Limbaugh's ideas interesting and the latter admitting that he tried unsuccessfully to rattle his guest.
The segment ended with the two of them complimenting Rush, and Haines saying that they should have him on once a week to discuss the economy.
Is this how Limbaugh's stimulus plan will be received by other media outlets and members in the next 48 hours?
Stay tuned.
*****Update: Rush was also interviewed by "Fox & Friends" Thursday morning...
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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They sure tried to get him
January 29, 2009 - 13:53 ET by EverettPThey sure tried to get him to apologize for his comments about wanting Obama to fail
Mark Haines Is No Conservative
January 29, 2009 - 13:54 ET by zeestephenI spend every business day with CNBC playing in the background.
Haines tries to portray himself as a crusty, fatigued, cynical curmudgeon who finds hypocrisy on both sides of the political aisle.
However, on his most Conservative day, Haines, at best, is a centrist.
To my eye, the best measure of a reporter's politics is his ability to instinctively counter a political argument, and the emotion he brings to that argument.
When Haines' challenges a Conservative, Haines is animated and creative and quick and personally involved.
When Haines challenges a Leftist, Haines is prosaic and flat and runs on auto-pilot.
The best example is to watch the stark contrast in the way Haines treats Larry Kudlow, a CNBC Conservative, and the way Haines treats John Harwood and Steve Liesman, who are CNBC Leftists.
From beginning to end, Haines treats Kudlow like a buffoon, mocking him and rolling his eyes in disbelief.
With Harwood and Liesman, Haines rarely confronts them on any issue, and he always treats them with respect.
zee.... That is also how
January 29, 2009 - 14:05 ET by bigtimerzee....
That is also how I would sum up Haines too.
I watched for years, although I havn't recently much, I keep the volume down and just watch the numbers ect on FBN...anyway, I did for years, painted it as I always say him.
Eyeblast keeps freezing up on me for some reason in the instance....got enough though.
You keep on truckin' Rush!
The fact that he
January 29, 2009 - 13:58 ET by silent conservativeThe fact that he was interviewed at all, surprises the hell out of me.
The embed goes silent for
January 29, 2009 - 14:02 ET by Indiana JoeThe embed goes silent for me at about 20 secs in. The slider keeps going, but no audio.
Anyone else having that problem?
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..." - The Who
Bad video
January 29, 2009 - 14:12 ET by mizflame98IJ and Mizflame.... Same
January 29, 2009 - 14:36 ET by bigtimerIJ and Mizflame....
Same here...see above...I alos tried twice, froze up in exact same place twice.
Gosh I don't feel so all alone...glad you mentioned this.
Had problem inserting a link too...oh well.
We carry on.
rush
January 29, 2009 - 14:17 ET by east tennessee johnWell cnbc's "sister" station msdnc via Andrea Bitchell and Whora O'Donnell for days now have tried to castrate Rush on the "wanting him to fail" taken out of context remarks and have characterized as racist his remarks about bending over and grabbing you ankles because Sgt. Schultz is half-white. They've gone after him as a recovering drug abuser,what about Sgt. Schultz's cocaine abuse???; jis audience base,a minimum of 20 times theirs combined;What's next, Rush's divorce settlements in print via Axelrod?
etj... Love your
January 29, 2009 - 14:38 ET by bigtimeretj...
Love your post.
As to your last question....I would not for one second doubt it.
I remember well what they did to O's opposition in Ill.
Have not Watched
January 29, 2009 - 14:47 ET by GoodieCNBC for years then I ran across the channel and heard Burnett call W "A Little Monkey", that was it for me. Don't care if you voted for him or not, you do NOT call a sitting President a Monkey. Haines is a closet Liberal, he wants everyone to like him. I have been at Fox Business ever since they started.
O's last day 1-20-2013
Just imagine if anyone
January 29, 2009 - 14:53 ET by Indiana JoeJust imagine if anyone dared to use the word "monkey" when referencing Obama.
HOO BOY!!!
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss..." - The Who
Not even available
January 29, 2009 - 15:50 ET by expatriotThe link is now not available. Noel should have it up soon.
This was well worth the
January 29, 2009 - 16:03 ET by bigtimerThis was well worth the wait to get the video fixed with Haines, Rush, Burnett...thanks ns.
Absolutely priceless!
You just have to listen to it all the way through...he got Haines got with his zingers.
Rush Limbaugh...thank you.
Btw...I heard the one on F&F early this morning...which was also well worth the listent to if others didn't hear it.
Too bad they didn't...
January 29, 2009 - 17:22 ET by jawebster1use Joe Kernan instead of old sleepy head on the interview with Rush. Why Liberals feel compelled to be rude to strong Conservatives like Rush is beyond me. Nice to know he was aware of his rudeness though and admitted so afterwards. Jim Webster
Global Impact
January 29, 2009 - 19:14 ET by IndigoChillI think it's clear something needs to happen for the economy to get better. But America especially needs to be careful about how we get out of it because of the global implications. Just look at the rest of the world right now. According to Newsy.com, only India feels as though they can get through virtually unscathed.
So let me get this straight..
January 29, 2009 - 23:57 ET by nwahsRush has taken off his political satirist/entertainer hat and put on his pundit hat? So when is he going to change shape again? When someone tries to hold him accountable?
"
oho oh, I'm a satirist, that was humor oho oho "
If he's a pundit he has to be more responsible that using the "Jefferson's " theme song to sum up a black politicians rise, or stressing "The Magic Negro" angle. Thats fair game for a satirist - NOT A PUNDIT. But like what he accuses others of being, Rush is a bit of a chameleon. When he's held accountable it "jusssst kidding...."
I can't abide a hypocrite no matter what their political leanings.
What's wrong nwahs?
January 30, 2009 - 00:04 ET by cocodrieRush isn't allowed to have an opinion and make commebts? He makes it plain that his show is a commentary on the DemocRAT follies. Are you rooting for Her Majesty Pelosi The Socialist to shut him down?
Jesus Loves You
Of course he can state his opinions
January 30, 2009 - 00:10 ET by nwahsOf course he can state his opinions. He can also transform himself at the drop of a hat and even rewrite history as he sees fit. He can also be the biggest hypocrite in the world.
But I'm going to call him on it, because I'm also allowed to have opinions and make comments.
I despise Pelosi and her counterpart Reid.
And Jesus tells me he loves you too - most of the time :)
nwahs
January 30, 2009 - 00:26 ET by cocodrieEverytime he has an opinion you, Balboa and Jason pitch a hissy fit.
John 3:16.
Jesus Loves You
And what are you doing?
January 30, 2009 - 00:45 ET by nwahsI think you are doing the hissy fit thing. I stated why I thought it was wrong to take Rush seriously. You are pretty much stamping your feet because you disagree - unless you refuted something and I missed it?
I don't have a problem with Rush. I have a problem with people who take him seriously.
I agree. For the same
January 30, 2009 - 12:18 ET by Chris NormanI agree. For the same reason, we don't take you seriously.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
You should be proud
January 30, 2009 - 12:51 ET by nwahsIn this ocean of fanboyz, you should be proud to agree with those who break away from the sheeple. I appreciate your support :) Mega dittos to you!
nw... Since you're
January 30, 2009 - 13:02 ET by bigtimernw...
Since you're familiar with the phrase Mega-Dittos....
Here's another one for you...
Glittering jewel of colossal ignorance.
You fit that to a tee.
JMO of course.
I missed you
January 30, 2009 - 13:09 ET by nwahsGosh I missed you. I didn't see you in 3 Limbaugh threads. Though you were on hiatus! I see you are still attacking the messenger and not the argument. I have no doubt with your perseverance you will remove argumentum ad-hominem from the vernacular :)
nw... LOL... Oh, I've
January 30, 2009 - 13:15 ET by bigtimernw...
LOL...
Oh, I've been around.
Open your eyes...see the light.
Mark = stupid Erin =
January 30, 2009 - 09:38 ET by BlueCat57Mark = stupid
Erin = smart
If Mark truly listens to and reads Limbaugh first-hand then the only conclusion is that he is too stupid to comprehend what he is reading or hearing.
Erin actually "gets it." Whether she agrees or not she accurately states Rush's position and probably get that he is using satire as a communication tool.
Commentors = Fooled
January 30, 2009 - 09:44 ET by BlueCat57Do any of you really think that Rush was being a pundit? He has fooled you again. He is using satire to communicate his points about the definition of bipartisanship.
Remember Rush is first and foremost and entertainer.
You'd be surprised!
January 30, 2009 - 13:04 ET by nwahsIt seems many take him seriously and not as satire. To be honest, I don't know if Rush feeds that and uses it as a tool, or some just don't get it. If he really tries to confuse some, I think its a little dishonest and much like what Ann Coulter accuses Obama of being - a chameleon. Granted, he's an entertainer so I suppose its ok for him to be a chameleon.
If people are just confusing that the fact that he is a satirist and not a pundit, well that's their problem. I just find it outrageously funny people are discussing a Rush stimulus plan!