Mormon Congressman Calls Out David Gregory for NBC's Horrible Treatment of Romney's Faith
Mormon Congressman Raul Labrador (R-Id.) scolded David Gregory on Sunday for his network's horrible treatment of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's faith.
Appearing on NBC's Meet the Press, Labrador specifically named MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell as one of the offenders (video follows with transcript and commentary):
DAVID GREGORY, HOST: Congressman Labrador, let me get you into this. We-- we are on the precipice of-- of an historic moment-- for Mormons in this country. And that is that Mitt Romney is a Mormon. And somebody was-- you know, very significant role in the church looks like he's going to become the republican nominee.
And-- Congress Cleaver talked about the need to take religion off the ballot. But here you had Orrin Hatch from Utah-- Senator Utah-- saying that the Obama administration-- the campaign is gonna throw the Mormon Church at Mitt Romney and make this an issue. Do you agree with that and how would he do that?
CONGRESSMAN RAUL LABRADOR (R-IDAHO): I think the media is gonna do that-- for-- for the Obama campaign. But-- let's talk about your eternal question real quick. There is an attack on religious freedom at this point. And-- and if you look at what the Obama administration did with the contraception issue, they first set up a rule that-- that was contrary to some religions.
Then they decided that they were gonna reform-- they were gonna change that rule. And then when they changed that rule they really didn't change the rule. They actually just said that they were gonna change the rule and they wanted to have this conversation about contraceptives which nobody was talking about at the time. If you remember, the first time they talked about contraceptives which was George Stephanopoulos in one of the debates. He's the one who brought it up.
There wasn't a single Republican candidate who was talking about that issue. And all the sudden we start talking about an issue that wasn't even a campaign issue. And then we-- we started on-- attack on-- on religious freedom. I think there clearly is.
But going back to your question about Mormonism th-- everyone in-- in politics is gonna have some sort of role-- i-- is gonna be influenced by their faith whether it's Emanuel by his faith, whether it's me by my faith. And I think we can't talk about having-- s-- politics void of any religious faith because then what you're saying is you have-- you're asking people to not be who they are.
GREGORY: But I'm asking you about this very specific charge. You have the-- senior Senator from Utah saying that the Mormon Church is gonna be thrown at the republican nominee who is a Mormon. In what way? And you just said you think the media'll do it. I mean, let's talk--
(OVERTALK)
GREGORY: --about what-- what you mean.
LABRADOR: --you-- you look at your own network. MSNBC, you have Lawrence O'Donnell, it's-- just saying some really nasty things about the Mormon religion, about the founding-- of-- of our religion. That it was based on-- on some guy just waking up some morning and deciding that he-- that he wanted-- that he had-- an extramarital affair and that-- that-- that's how the r-- religion was founded.
There-- there's some really nasty things already being said by-- by your own network, by NBC. There's-- there's many other people that are gonna be talking about these things. And tie what we need to realize is that everybody's faith origins are-- are peculiar i-- if you look at any one of-- of-- of us.
And we need to realize that what you need to look at is the man-- the man, Mitt Romney. I haven't endorsed Mitt Romney. But it clearly looks like he's gonna be the nominee-- for-- for the republican party. We need to look at his life and the things that he has done. And he's had-- a very, very good life.
For those that missed it, Labrador was referring to the following statement by O'Donnell on MSNBC's The Last Word Tuesday:
LAWRENCE O'DONNELL, MSNBC ANCHOR: Mormonism was created by a guy in upstate New York in 1830 when he got caught having sex with the maid and explained to his wife that God told him to do it. Forty-eight wives later, Joseph Smith's lifestyle was completely sanctified in the religion he invented to go with it. Which Mitt Romney says he believes.
As such, it was quite refreshing to see Labrador call Gregory out for such nonsense.
If NBC wants to ever be considered as a serious news organization again, it must cut its ties with this joke of a network just as Bernie Goldberg said Monday.
Bravo, Congressman! Bravo!
- Noel Sheppard's blog
- Login to post comments
Comments
It
Submitted by grammajane on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 5:42pm.
was a true pleasure listening to this Republican call out NBC and their crude and hateful remarks regarding the Mormon religion. Saw it and it was laughable watching gregory being lost for words. Way to go Mr.Labrador and now go back and teach other Conservatives how to answer to the worst so-called network on TV.
Romney Must Avoid the Lamestreams
Submitted by libBuster on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 5:55pm.
Romney must eschew interviews with ABC, NBC, CBS or CNN correspondents. Those types of interviews are lose only propositions for Romney. The "reporters" are only looking to create a magical "sound-bite" that can be turned into an Obama commericial --- or replayed as endlessly as the Tina Fey, faux Palin "I can see Alaska from my living room" disaster.
The best thing is to have surrogates like Mr. Labrader appear on these Democratic shows and hit back hard against the host and the networks bias. I thought Palin did a good job of showing what a graceless man Lauer was last week.
~Nope
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:03pm.
He should do what every Republican should do, make sure it's live and turn these sorry SOB's every which way but loose. It would be simple to hold their feet to the fire over their shameless hustling for Obama, and every Republican should do it with vigor and enthusiasm.
Tina Fey's parody of Palin wasn't an interview; it was mockery portrayed dishonestly by the media to give the appearance of fact, and they should have been called out on it on live TV to the point of completely disarming it and turning it around on them. When all your opponent has is a pack of lies, your job is simple. Shine the light on them and keep it there.
Romney Needs Clean Hands
Submitted by libBuster on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 9:45pm.
I don't doubt that Romney could savage these leftist miscreants if he chose to. But there is tremendous risk. If Romney displays anger or too much combativeness, it could hurt him. Voters rarely vote for an angry person, unless they too buy into the anger. That's why leftists lose elections. Obama was an exception because he played "cool".
Romney needs clean hands. He will have to be very careful in dealing with Democratic reporters. Live interviews, as you suggested are important. But he cannot control the interview setup and denouement on shows such as the Today Show. Aggressive surrogates like Newt, or Chris Christie are lower risk.
~Angry?
Submitted by Wrathful Brunette on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 10:32am.
Who said anything about angry? I said, "With vigor and enthusiasm".
Look, the American people WANT the media and Obama called out on all their BS. The biggest drawback Romney has, besides being an elitist, big government slimeball, is his lack of passionate authenticity. If he were out there making the case for conservatism, and exposing the media and Obama for what they are, he'd win in a landslide, and people wouldn't be suppressing a gag reflex pressing the button for him just because they want Obama out.
Obama campaigned like a conservative and rode a wave of anti-Bush sentiment into the WH.
Small Type-o
Submitted by Dave81 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:09pm.
At the end of the transcript you have "I have endorsed Mitt Romney." He said he hasn't endorsed him.
Just wait til Summer and the
Submitted by Dan The Man 2 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:09pm.
Just wait til Summer and the GOP candidate is fixed, all Hell is gonna break loose. And the Mormons have plenty of skeletons in their closets. Romney is gonna get named looney for all the rituals and such. You think evangelical fundamentalist Christians have it rough ... just wait and see.
Yea it's coming
Submitted by GregE on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 9:57pm.
If Romney were black and a Democrat and anyone discussed his religion, that person would simply be labeled a racist.
Joe Pags describes the Lib politicians well, and especially the Obama admin, when he describes their statements as "just say anything." Doesn't matter what is said along the way, just say anything with the end goal in mind. Say anything, America isn't paying attention, and they are banking on that. Say absolutely anything.
Keep hitting back at mainstream media--bring them to account.
Submitted by drsamherman on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:13pm.
I hope we finally see a critical mass of conservatives in government finally hitting back at the mainstream media to call them to account for not vetting the most inept, incompetent and corrupt administration of the last 40 years. It's about time to make them answer questions about why they put their ratings and their agenda ahead of being American. It is about time they explained all of their free advertising and sound bite creation for extreme left wing candidates, politicians and causes to the American public. It's also about time they started getting a very, very bitter dose of their own medicine. Nobody can say that the media does not have it coming, hiding behind the first amendment when challenged and then shamelessly calling for its destruction.
I also think it's about time for David Gregory, an intellectually and morally bankrupt pile of filth, to either put up or shut up when it comes to his sycophancy for Obama. Same for BriWi and ALL of MSNBC.
I see a bright future
Submitted by sybilll on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:18pm.
What a clear, concise rebuttal.
I disregard David Gregory.
Submitted by pcnav on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:22pm.
I just can't bring myself to listen to a guy that looks like a Dr Suess character. I keep expecting him to speak in rhyme.
This Congressman appears to
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:25pm.
This Congressman appears to be a 'white hispanic'.............and on top of that he's a damned Republican!!! And now we find out he's also a MORMAN??? Obviously he has NO credibility with the MSM, so I doubt if they'll pay any attention to what he said.
Romney's Mormon faith
Submitted by jefflebowski on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:47pm.
Of course, the left will use any attack they can against the Republican candidate. Those hung up on Mormonism must understand they are electing a President and not a preacher. Romney has no track record of forcing Mormonism on anyone when he was Governor of Massachusetts.
As long as Mormons aren't chopping off heads of those who refuse to convert, I have no problem with them. And, for those of you who get caught up with the strange beliefs of Mormons....remember, there are many Christians who believe a man put every living being on Earth on a boat and floated around on the seas for 40 days.
Angry White Dude
www.angrywhitedude.com
Side note
Submitted by Chaitealover on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 7:55pm.
Noah didn't put every living creature on earth on a boat, he put seven pairs of each animal approved by God for eating, seven pairs of each kind of bird, and one pair of each other type of animal on it, and the only humans that were there were his wife, his three sons and their wives. All others were left to drown. (Genesis 7)
My mind can't convert the Biblical dimensions of the ark to today's scales, but have you seen some of those new cruise ships? Those things are humungous :-)
Chai
If....
Submitted by MidAmerica on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 6:57pm.
if the roots and rumors about Mormonism can be used against Romney then everything ever said by the likes of Reverand Wright, Reverend Sharpton, and the Reverend Jackson can also be pinned on obama. A montage of quotes by those loonies would make a very entertaining TV ad.
Does any serious monitor of the news expect NBC to become
Submitted by Rush Fan on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 7:26pm.
"a serious news organization again," if it cuts it's ties with MSNBC? If we define a serious news organization as one that practices fair, balanced and nonpartisan journalism, that begs the question: Was NBC ever a serious news organization?
Will separating from MSNBC change the liberal bias in David Gregory, Brain Williams, Tom Brokaw or the other NBC news presenters and editors? Do you really believe that owners Comcast and GE want a fair and balanced news organization? The proof is in the pudding, i.e. the proof is in the results.
Expecting NBC to transform itself into a nonpartisan news entity, is similar to expecting President Obama to stop encouraging class warfare and partisanship. It can only occur in The Twilight Zone.
Never forget....
Submitted by motherbelt on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 7:33pm.
The Chairman of the DNC said that Romney's religion would NOT be an issue in this campaign.
Romney's religion would NOT be an issue in this campaign.
Romney's religion would NOT be an issue in this campaign.
Romney's religion would NOT be an issue in this campaign.
Romney's religion woudl NOT be an issue in this campaign.
I guess that didn't go out via the regular "talking points memo" channel.....
The MSM and blogs will do the
Submitted by HelloDare on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 8:01pm.
The MSM and blogs will do the heavy lifting on this.
Just like the sealed divorces of Obama's early
Submitted by Radical1979 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 8:15pm.
opponents in the Chicago senate would remain private and not be an issue.
The Chicago Way.
Harry Reid, also a Mormon,
Submitted by HelloDare on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 7:59pm.
Harry Reid, also a Mormon, could not be reached for comment.
15 MORMONS SERVING IN THE U.S. CONGRESS
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/60334/15-Mormons-serving-in-US-Con...
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nevada, the majority leader of the U.S. Senate, was elected to his fifth term and has served since 1986.
Now in his sixth term as Utah's senator, Orrin Hatch was first elected in 1976. He is the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
LDS members of the U.S. Senate
Other Latter-day Saint senators include:
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, elected in 1998.
Newly elected Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.
Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico, elected in 2008.
LDS members of the U.S. House
Latter-day Saints serving in the U.S. House of Representatives include:
Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, elected in 2002.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, elected in 2008.
Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., elected in 2000.
Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nevada, elected in 2006.
Rep. Wally Herger, R-Calif., elected in 1986.
Newly elected Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, elected in 2000.
Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., elected in 1992.
Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, elected in 1998.
Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, D-American Samoa, is one of five territorial representatives in the House. He is in his 13th term as American Samoa's nonvoting delegate.
LDS Governor
Utah Governor Gary Herbert was sworn in for his first term as a governor Jan. 3.
Mike Lee, a newly elected Church member in the Senate, had not held a political office prior to being elected.
Raul Labrador, a newly elected Latter-day Saint in the U.S. House, is a native of Puerto Rico.
Shocked I tell you............
Submitted by Tomorama on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 8:32pm.
HD and you NEVER HEAR A DAMN thing about their faith and WE SHOULDN'T at all.
You poll americans and I GUARANTEE that 90 percent would not know or say Reid is a Christian.
I again never watch this BS, but was "wondering" what the topics would be this week and VIOLA, Mormonism is TOPIC ONE on ALL these leftist Sunday whorefests.
DWS - IT WON'T BE AN ISSUE, "Honey" you gave me the reason to watch these this week to PROVE YOU ARE A LIAR.
You TELEGRAPHED the talking points memo B*****.
Watched it live this morning and loved it
Submitted by krendler on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 8:36pm.
Gregory tried the "What in the world are you talking about" angle - complete with furrowed eyebrows - squinted eyes - faux confusion - when Labrador asserted that it was the media who would be attacking Romney's faith for Obama, not Obama himself.
Labrador then proceeded to $%*t down Gregrory's neck, slamming NBC and O'Donnell. LOVED it.
This is the 2nd time I've seen Labrador on MTP and both times the guy has absolutely kicked a$$.
Romney should avoid all questions related to religion
Submitted by bmac32 on Sun, 04/08/2012 - 9:09pm.
They need to take pages from Kennedy's play book and refer those questions. Last time I checked religion and state were separate issues. Gregory is an idiot first and for most. Second, someone needs to bring up the interview with John Kennedy, it sounds very much like that interview 50+ years ago. I remember asking my mother "would I have to become Catholic?", I was 10. Democrats aren't the problem it the freaking LEFT wing Democrats that are and the media is nothing but a mouth piece for the LEFT.
Wasn't Gregory a Jon Hunstman fan?
Submitted by metaphorsbwithu on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 2:42am.
These liberals absolutely loved Jon Huntsman, did everything they could to light a fire under his campaign, and not once was he being a Mormon ever considered to be an issue.
Of course should he have become the Republican candidate against Obama, he'd have been "McCained" so fast it it would've made your head spin.
This is the predicted result....
Submitted by c5then on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 8:32am.
Of the current and erroneous interpretation of the 1st amendment's restriction on Congress making any law repecting the establishment of religion. The modern meme of Jefferson's statement to a freind that there "should be a wall of seperation between the government and the church", meaning that religion must be irradicated and "cleansed" from any governmental issues is based on the atheist wish to be free from any mention of GOD or religion, lest they be reminded that most people think they are wrong. Anyone who reads that letter that Jefferson wrote understands that in context he was advocating that government be prevented from interfering in any church business including and especially theology. However the opposite is not the case because a person can not be expected to act or say that which is contrary to their professed faith.
What the anti-religion folks are trying to do is to proclaim a complete and utter seperation between religion, theology and the foundational values that go with them and the public actions and rhetoric of those who profess to follow them. In effect they are trying to institutionalize hypocrisy. Instead what we should be taking from the 1st amendment and the Jefferson letter is that we should have a complete and utter prohibition on government regulating, interfering, opining or in any way getting involved in any religion. We are precisely backwards from what the intended situation was supposed to be.
The media being the propaganda arm of the anti-religion DNC are simply following their master's orders and making issues where none should exist and creating doubts where the person's private life should be left alone. And of course doing this only to the republican/conservative candidates and politicians while ignoring the very same issues with liberal/democrat politicians.
For instance: when has ANY so-called "journalist" who is so interested in Romney's or Santorum's or any republican's religion EVER asked Barak Obama when it was precisely that he converted to Christianity and what brought him to that decision? I do not doubt the President's professed conversion or his sincerity. The reason I bring it up is that if Romney being a Moromon or Santorum being a Catholic is in itself news, then surely a President who was raised a Muslim and then later converted to Christianity is at least as compelling a story.
Madison and Jefferson and Franklin built a Republic - Roberts killed it!
Ad campaign
Submitted by gwalt on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 11:49am.
If we don't start an ad campaign against the media anchors, not NBCCBSABC but Stepphie, Matt Liar and all the rest---- we are doomed. Obama doesn't need a billion war chest--- he already has a 5 billion one in the media. We need an offense and Alinsky these liars by name and face. I would give big money to see Georgies mug on a billboard or TV ad with Tell The Truth captioned underneath.
Or YOU LIE would do.
"A lot of briefing for a 2 hr. special with Dan Rather. Saw the show & wonder why we bothered". Ronald Reagan
I Like It!
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Mon, 04/09/2012 - 1:00pm.
More and more conservative voices talking back all the time. When you hear Leftist BS, call out the Leftist BS. Don't let them get away with it anymore. Enough is enough.
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html