Pat Buchanan While on MSNBC Says 'MSNBC is Transfixed With Birther Issue'
MSNBC has lately been spending a tremendous amount of time on Donald Trump and the President's birth certificate.
The round the clock coverage of this issue led MSNBC contributor Pat Buchanan to say on Tuesday's "MSNBC Live," "MSNBC is transfixed with it" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
PAT BUCHANAN: No, I said I think the guy was born in Honolulu, but I want to know why the press corps doesn't take one question to the Press Secretary and…
BILL PRESS: We absolutely have, Pat. We have, Pat.
BUCHANAN: Hold it, hold it.
PRESS: We have, but we’re not going to play your game.
BUCHANAN: Tell me, Bill, tell me, Bill, when you say to Jay Carney, “Jay, why doesn't the President just release the birth certificate? Get this over with? It’s an enormous distraction for the country? MSNBC is transfixed with it. They ought to focus on the issues you talked about, Libya and Iraq.”
Buchanan was absolutely right. The show he was on devoted almost half of its program on this issue Tuesday. Preceding "MSNBC Live" was "Hardball" which did three separate segments on Trump totaling over fifteen minutes. "The Last Word" did ten minutes.
At press time, I'm not sure about how much coverage was given to Trump by "The Rachel Maddow Show" or "The Ed Show," but I quite imagine they were on this as well.
To be sure, Trump is an interesting figure, and is likely drawing ratings, but if the liberal press are sick and tired of this birther issue, they could just drop it - unless, of course, the goal is to paint all Republicans as birthers.
(H/T Daily Caller)
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Comments
I'm becoming more convinced
Submitted by bkeyser on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 10:54pm.
I'm becoming more convinced that Trump knows he won't make it past New Hampshire and is just using this time to say all the things he believes legitimate candidates won't. And he's probably right if that's what he's thinking.
In one sense that gets it out there, and he forces news coverage on these issues and both exposes the media's infatuation with covering for Obama, and helps create some doubt in the minds of people who don't normally pay too much attention. He's probably doing the GOP a service in doing so.
I agree, sortof
Submitted by Callawyn on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 6:39am.
He's definitely raising issues that serious candidates won't touch, and he's criticizing Obama in a more direct, even blunt, manner than they will. This is bound to be bad for Obama. I don't think it will reflect badly on the other Republican candidates. He's basically doing their dirty work for them (even if they really don't want him to).
As for whether he knows he won't make it past New Hampshire, I really have no idea what he's thinking. What disturbs me is that he's already on record saying he might make a 3rd party run. If he runs as an independent he could pull a % or 2 from R's, net, in some key states based on name recognition/celebrity status alone.
Its WAAAAYYY early yet though. As I said to a colleague yesterday when I saw Obama on the campaign trail (5 townhalls!), "Wait, is it still 2011?", "Yeah", "Isn't the election NEXT year?". We may well have forgotten Trump's 'candidacy' long before November of '11.
BTW, saw a snippet from a poll yesterday (think it was CBS), 48% of Republicans in Iowa believe Obama was born in another country. This can't be good news for Obama.
Using the word "birther" once
Submitted by Satchmo on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 10:58pm.
Using the word "birther" once again is allowing the Left to dictate the terms. If you truly want to combat liberal bias, then do it on conservative terms and call it what it is: A Constitutional issue. Instead of using the Left's term, use Constitutionalist instead.
Great Post
Submitted by Caringwhiteguy on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:04pm.
Great post Satch. Accepting the premise, the definition of terms, the statement of "fact" . . . and then trying to debate the degree to which we're willing to compromise is absolute fools play.
Okay, I'm willing to compromise...
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:04pm.
How about "Constitutionalist Nutjobs"?
Jer
I wouldn't call anyone who
Submitted by Satchmo on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:15pm.
I wouldn't call anyone who wishes to see the Constitution upheld a nutjob, especially when there is a specific criteria for a president. It's a legitimate issue.
Shut up Stupid Satchmo.
Submitted by The Vet on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:58pm.
Why don't we just quit using English entirely so the precious left you love so much won't get to dictate the vowels and consonants as well.
. Braaaaackkkkkk. Must be a new article up a NewsBusters, Satchmo is whining about using the left's terms again.
Like him or not
Submitted by ckc1227 on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 2:01am.
He's right on this issue. We continuously allow the left to define the debate, and then fight on their terms. It has to stop.
Whatever.
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 2:07am.
Didn't talk to you did I, ChineseTopGun1227?
No, you didn't
Submitted by ckc1227 on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 2:26am.
But I was talking to you, bathhouse vet.
Oh good.
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 3:07am.
Now you can respond to all your other hit and run posts as well. Waiting for your response ---
Here.
Here --> Still waiting for a reply to this post from you. THEN, THEN we can open a new conversation.
Here --> But whatever, where is the idiot ckc1227, I dared to point out a troll's whiney ways... Time for one of his whines that I pointed out anothers whines.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Here.
Anyone here think a theme might be developing?
Every single one of them you toss out an insult or a lie and then run for the hills rather than face up to your insulting or lying about/to another user. Half of them is YOU defending a BANNED troll.
Now you stomp your foot and demand I respect you OK?
Or cut and run like you always do, either way, I don't care.
Hey Vet, switch to decafe.
Submitted by inquiringmind on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 9:40am.
Hey Vet, switch to decafe. Satch was just giving his thoughts and they we not that bad. Even Jer's post was kind of funny.
Satchmo is a troll.
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 11:07am.
Satchmo is a troll that supports legalized incest, thinks Indiana is a sovereign state that can sign treaties, wanted President Bush to be out there selling the Iraq War 2 years after it started and thinks the Holiday Shopping Season starts before Thanksgiving not on Black Friday.
There are currently 15, 20 words he has put off limits because it lets the left "frame the debate". He says that on a weekly basis.
And look at the alternative word he he proposed - constitutionalist. He is an idiot. The word is already taken.
Definition of CONSTITUTIONALISM
: adherence to or government according to constitutional principles; also : a constitutional system of government
— con·sti·tu·tion·al·ist \-list\ noun
His post was simplistic, poorly thought out and stupid as usual. But whatever, I am the one in need of decaf. Fine.
Sincerely,
A Veteran of a 1000 Psychic Wars
PS: Whoops. Forgot a big one.
#33 You're a thug with a badge;
Submitted by Satchmo on Fri, 04/01/2011 - 9:57am.
You're a thug with a badge; an excuser, enabler, and footsoldier of tyranny. Nothing more.
Said that to NC Cop - Here is his profile.
"Hello! My name is Ken Leonard and I live in North Carolina. I absolutely love your site! I have been a police officer for 13 years. In 2004 I went to Iraq as a civilian contractor. On Dec. 30, 2005 the vehicle I was driving was hit with an IED and I lost both of my legs below the knee. There was a story on it on Fox news. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290127,00.html I am back on the police force now though and going strong!"
But whatever. I am the one out of touch and in need of caffeine. Whatever.
The only person behaving as a
Submitted by Satchmo on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 12:53pm.
The only person behaving as a troll is you. For someone who thinks everything is a lie, it is ironic that you lie more than anyone else.
Why a lying pervert like you is allowed to continue on ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 4:35pm.
stinking up these threads is beyond me, SatchelMouth.
It must be for the entertainment value.
Either that, or someone in power has a pool going to see just how much stupidity you may eventually cram into a single post.
MD
Defining the "terms" is part
Submitted by amyshulk on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 12:51pm.
Defining the "terms" is part and parcel of the playbook. Both sides do it, the D's say the R's win, and vice verse.
The real issue is that we have too many surface voters {like in those 5 townhalls} who are easily swayed {lack critical thinking skills} and who are too lazy to ask for the "rest of the story" so those terms can be put into their proper context.
Everything else {early voting, requiring ID, etc.} is just a sideshow. NOT to say they aren't important, but just like our $ problems, where instead of dismantling useless/redundant bureaucracies we are "downsizing" them, the root problem remains.
Ronald Reagan
Any non doubters (that's 100% certain)
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:07pm.
care to explain why BO has spent millions to keeps his bc locked from view?
So it can stay an issue
Submitted by Tjexcite on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:33pm.
The people who paid to keep a 49 year old document "hidden" made millions before lunch so money is not a factor.
Wrong question
Submitted by ckc1227 on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 2:25am.
Better question....has he really spent millions to keep it locked from view, or is that just an urban legend? I suspect he hasn't. Just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean it's true. Hawaiian law prevents it's release, so there's no need for him to spend millions to keep it locked up. Hawaii keeps it locked away for free.
Now, it is true that he hasn't released it voluntarily, and that, in my opinion, is a legitimate point. I'm pretty sure he was born in Hawaii, so screw the birth place nonsense. I just want to see what's on there that he DOES feel is so important to keep hidden. Having said that, I don't think it should be a platform of anyone's campaign. But we shouldn't run from the issue either. When the media brings it up, it can addressed without sounding like an idiot, alleging a foreign birth. It's not nutty to wonder why a guy won't release his original birth certificate with all this controversy floating around, and I suspect most sane people will agree with that, Independents included. And that, imo, puts Obama on the defensive.
If the media is supposed to low-key the issue...
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:17pm.
then Trump shouldn't be running around the country high-keying it.
Jer
Must have missed the Trump interview in Room 12 at NB.
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 1:02am.
TRUMP: Jer, you make it a big focus.
Or....
Submitted by Model850 on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 4:18pm.
The media could just ignore Trump's ranting about the subject and not ask him those questions. They have demonstrated a remarkable ability in the past to steer conversations in the direction they want them to go.
I don't think "The Donald" controls the media and can dictate what topics will be covered in interviews. If he can then the media is even more pathetic than I suspected.
MSNBC Knows This Is A Winning Issue For Democrats...
Submitted by TheReal7Sticks on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:23pm.
It would seem ironic on the surface that MSNBC seems to be the main network reporting about Trump's calls for Obama's birth certificate seeing as how they are so in bed in supporting the president (as am I, but at least I have the decency to proudly and abashedly announce it.) But if you think about it, all this can do is make the Republican party look bad in association with the likes of Joseph Farah and Jerome Corsi. It's one of MSNBC's [not-so-secret] weapons.
A winning issue for Dems? Why
Submitted by Satchmo on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:29pm.
A winning issue for Dems? Why do you think Trump has decent poll numbers right now? Heck, Obama can't even break 50% against Trump, and Trump has been going non-stop about the birth certificate. Trump is saying what is on many peoples' minds; he's forcing the issue to be discussed..
He doesn't have to break 50%
Submitted by ckc1227 on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 2:43am.
49% is more than enough to win re-election.
Why is this retread still here?
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 12:02am.
Look at the subject line of this troll. Every word is capitalized.
Why Would Reid Hide It If There's Nothing Wrong With It?
October 29, 2009 - 22:30 ET by The7Sticks
I Don't Know How It Makes You Liberal To Defend Polanski...
September 29, 2009 - 00:03 ET by The7Sticks
They Ought To Get Rid Of The Three-Strikes Law & Jessica's Law
May 20, 2009 - 01:58 ET by The7Sticks
This troll was banned for cause after a really nasty post insulting the Pope and Catholics. And he is here brazenly using nearly the same name making hostile post after post insulting the site and its contributors.
Get rid of this troll so we can move on to new trolls that keep popping up thinking they can lie to the stupid right wingers.
Now Wait!
Submitted by GeneralAl on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 6:26am.
"Every word is capitalized"
I capitalize my subject lines as well. I treat it like a title! Do you consider me a troll? [I do own a bridge in Brooklyn that I got as a bonus from Junior Samples, the used car salesman!]. Otherwise, I agree with your assessment!
http://www.generalpatriot.com
"Old Soldiers never die, they just fade away"!
No Sir.
Submitted by The Vet on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 6:35am.
You were not banned and then came back as RealGeneralAl within days. There is another difference. Believe me, it is more than just the capitalization.
Freshly issued Birther Card
Submitted by Tjexcite on Tue, 04/19/2011 - 11:49pm.
The Birther Card beat The Race Card and "trumps" all other cards one can play. The Birther card is double race card and a crazy card.
Any opposition to Obama just call them a Birther and that is worse than calling them a racist. As racist has outlived it usefulness change the name to Birther and you get the same effect. Any argument from them now is void because as they are on the crazy Birther right and all of the right are crazy birthers and they do not believe the simple fact that Obama was born in Hawaii. If they don't believe that simple fact what do they know about 14 trillion debt or health care.
I don't think people are
Submitted by mostlymoderate on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 12:37am.
I don't think people are "birthers" as much as they are voters who think this administration has been much to secretive about Obama's past. We have a right to know. Why are things like college transcripts a secret? Every job I have ever interviewed for requested a transcript of my college and law school transcripts.
Besides, the Government requires it
Submitted by ThisnThat on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 6:15am.
I need to upgrade my badge at my company. This upgrade requires a certified copy of my birth certificate. I asked if a xerox copy would do, or a "document of live birth". Nope. Only a certified birth certificate will get me the badge -- so they can feel the raised seal on the document.
Why, I asked. "The Government requires it" is the answer.
So -- I need to get a certified copy of my birth certificate to upgrade my badge for a company I've worked for for 30 years. YET:
People ask why I'm angry.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
"the goal is to paint all Republicans as birthers"
Submitted by Callawyn on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 6:26am.
It may well be, but is this a win for them? Its similar to their attempts to paint the Tea Party as 'racists'. Seems to me, the result of such tactics is to solidify the base on BOTH sides. They'll motivate their own base a bit, but in my experience calling a Tea Party activist 'racist' just pisses them off - they know full well that it isn't true. It motivates them, and solidifies their position. If anything, they wear the injustice of the false accusation as a badge of honor. This is standard practice in the life of a Conservative: if the thugs on the Left aren't attacking you, lying about your position and calling you names, then you aren't doing your job.
Same thing applies to so-called 'birthers'. Very few, if any, people that want to know if Obama meets the minimum Constitutional requirement for his office are satisfied with the response they've gotten. The typical response can be summed up as, "shut up, you're a lunatic". Again, more likely to piss them off and solidify their opinion. After all, if there was actual proof the response would be, "Obama released his long form Birth Certificate, it has date/place of Birth, signed witnesses. Here's the link to it, see for yourself. And, btw, here's a link to the hospital records showing his mother's stay while giving birth, and here's a link to affidavits from the doctors and nurses that were there." But, that hasn't happened, has it? If you want to convince someone of something, facts and logic are persuasive. Insults are not.
Doesn't the Left keeping the 'birther' issue in the news so much just create more 'birthers'?
The uber-liberal base will be more convinced than ever that Republicans are 'racists' and 'birthers'. But, so what, they're what 20% of the vote? There was never any chance these people would vote Republican anyway, right?
If these are attempts at influencing Independents, its pretty clear from poll numbers that its backfiring (assuming this is an issue that sways independents - I doubt very much that it is). Obama, and the D's in general, are rapidly losing the support of the center. IMO, Independents are much more influenced by the sorry state of the economy, and the enormous deficit and debt.
Here's a poll snippet from yesterday's national ABC poll (sample was 'Adults', which tends to favor D's, as opposed to 'registered voters' or 'likely voters'. Right now, 28 percent of respondents would definitely vote for Obama for reelection, and another 25 percent said they would consider it. The number who say now that they will definitely not vote for Obama is 45 percent. So, go ahead Leftist Media, continue your memes that solidify the base for both parties.
Birther
Submitted by richb313 on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 7:44am.
If someone asks if I am a birther I say yes as I was not hatched.
The conspiracy part of my brain...
Submitted by Prester John on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 3:01pm.
....says there is a birth certificate in a cabinet in the White House, and they're just waiting for the most opportune time to spring it, say in the middle of October 2012, to divert people's attention from $5.00/gal gas, the "kinetic military action" in Libya, and 8% unemployment , to the GOP nominee, who the MSM will have totally portrayed as being in the grasp of the lunatic birthers.
But that's just me.
"Stupid people are ruining America"
Herman Cain 2012
'Birther' is euphemism for 'Racist'
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 04/20/2011 - 7:25pm.
Listen long enough to a Liberal rant about the issue and sooner or later they utter this:
"You wouldn't be questioning his birth if he wasn't African-American."
MSNBC is merely throwing around the Race Card.
What I want to know is this: Why doesn't Obama release...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Thu, 04/21/2011 - 10:05am.
his 'official' birth certificate, the one we want to see? There must be a reason he has spent a fortune to keep it out of our sight. What is he hiding? Why aren't more people curious to see it? HEY OBAMA, JUST TURN OVER THE DAMN THING!