Martin Bashir Bashes Mitt Romney By Comparing Him to...Margaret Thatcher?
Along with Winston Churchill, one of America's most beloved British prime ministers is Margaret Thatcher.
That's why it seemed almost impossible to believe that on Thursday, MSNBC's Martin Bashir concluded his program by bashing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney with an inexplicably derogatory comparison to the famed Iron Lady (video follows with transcript and commentary):
MARTIN BASHIR: It’s time now to clear the air. And it’s not very often that my own experience of British political history comes in handy when we’re analyzing the activities of American politicians, but today is one of those rare moments. Take a look at Mitt Romney’s attack on the President in the form of this letterhead. Now, as usual, Romney fails to acknowledge that the private sector has created more than four million jobs in the last 27 months. But this is consistent with Mitt the Mendacious. If you don’t like the facts, simply go ahead and tell some lies.
But, as soon as I saw that letterhead, I was immediately taken back to 1979 when Margaret Thatcher was fighting her first general election in the U.K. Mrs. Thatcher employed one of London’s most famous advertising agencies, Saatchi and Saatchi, to run the attacks on her Labour opponents. And here’s the ad that was produced.
Surprising similarities there. Hang on. If you look closely, it’s actually the very same image. Look at the magnificent polka dots in that young lady’s summer skirt. That image became the iconic theme of Mrs. Thatcher’s reign as prime minister.
There's a lot that's fascinating about this observation by Bashir, mostly that this is an old ad by Romney, and that his campaign divulged almost exactly one year ago that it had intentionally used the Saatchi and Saatchi picture as a tribute:
In 1978, Saatchi and Saatchi, then an up-and-coming advertising agency hired by the British Conservative Party and their campaign for Margaret Thatcher, created a historic political poster depicting the negative economic conditions and the government's failed attempts to correct that path. Labeled the poster of the century by the magazine Campaign, the image pointed to Britain's economic climate of rising unemployment, rising inflation, and a large and growing national debt. Those conditions and the public discontent throughout the country during that election and the parallels that Americans face today cannot be ignored. With unemployment rising from 3.6% in 1974 to 5.3% in 1979, the British knew there was a problem. Now, America faces 9.1% unemployment, record deficits, a soaring national debt, and millions of struggling families. One thing is clear – Obama isn't working, either.
Days later, Slate's David Weigel and the Washington Post's E.J. Dionne reported this.
Yet one year later, Bashir was just getting around to informing his viewers about it as if he brilliantly discovered this similarity on his own quite recently.
He's one heck of a journalist, isn't he?
But I digress:
BASHIR: This was a prime minister who was described by Vanity Fair magazine as ushering in a period of utter greed and selfishness. A political leader who once said, “There’s no such thing as society,” and set about emphasizing individualism above everything else.
Which I guess explains why Mitt Romney has stolen Margaret Thatcher’s clothes, because that’s precisely what you’ll get if Romney wins in November.
Actually, if Americans thought they were getting Margaret Thatcher as a president with a vote for Mitt Romney, he'd win in a landslide.
That Bashir thinks this would be a bad thing tells you all you need to know about the political views of this shameless Obama shill.
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— Noel Sheppard (@NoelSheppard) June 9, 2012
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Comments
I love it that these people
Submitted by forest on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 4:58pm.
I love it that these people are so insular. If they actually got out of their Bentley Bolshevik cocoon on occasion they might start to understand why their arguments fail so badly - and why nobody watches their broadcasts.
NS, this makes perfect sense now
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 5:01pm.
NS, this makes perfect sense, after all, we know the Muslims don't like Churchill, since Obeyme sent the Churchill bust back, so even though Bashir thinks he's bashing (rather unfortunate choice of words there with his name) when in fact it's a compliment.
*sniiiifffff* I love the smell of desperation from libs and their MSM shills.
-Jon
Shameless Obama shill
Submitted by ThisnThat on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 5:17pm.
He's actually nothing more than a horse's a$$.
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
I am doing
Submitted by fivestring_assassin on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 5:19pm.
some investigation on this doucher Bashir and he has many enemies in England,,,as I proceed with my investigation I'll post more...seems there is a criminal element involves as well
I hope so
Submitted by wingnut55 on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 5:19pm.
"Which I guess explains why Mitt Romney has stolen Margaret Thatcher’s clothes, because that’s precisely what you’ll get if Romney wins in November." I truly hope so. Mitt's father turned around Michigan from having pay less pay days for the government workers under Democrat Governor, Soapy Williams, to a state that had a surplus. I am hopping that the Michigan apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Oh, the HORROR!
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 5:27pm.
Mitt Romney is using an old picture in an ad!!
Did Mrs. Thatcher have that picture copyrighted???
If not, it ain't stealing, Marty; no matter how much you kvetch over it.
To be compared to Lady Thatcher? That's a galactic compliment!
Submitted by drsamherman on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 5:49pm.
Lady Thatcher is the penultimate antithesis of an embittered political discard like Martin. She was successful, erudite, female, conservative and Christian. He is anything but those.
She saw opportunity, better times and greatness. He sees victimization, conspiracies and oblivion. She articulated her viewpoints clearly and they worked to keep the UK together during tough times. He was chased out of the UK for being a hack.
Reagan and Lady Thatcher are the greatest ever
Submitted by Texndoc on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 6:12pm.
The most powerful Conservative tag team in history. Love them both.
Corporate greed?
Submitted by Dragoon on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 6:03pm.
Seriously, that's what you guys go on? See, maybe I live in some fantasy land but I've figured that corporate greed works in my favor. A greedy person or corporation isn't going to be satisfied with having only made their first million. They'll want more and because there are other greedy individuals and businesses, they'll have to expand to deal with their competitors. Not only that, they'll have to hire people. Because their competitors will be looking to lure the same workers, they'll have to do something to differentiate themselves from their competitors so they can continue making more and more money while still retaining employees that will give them advantages.
What I don't want more of is this current reality. I'm supposed be one of the young workers that has started accumulating the knowledge that will be valuable when the baby boomer generation finally retires. Except that isn't happening. People aren't leaving and those of us looking are dealing with businesses that can't make heads or tails of what's coming down the pipe so they err on the side of caution.
But that's my two cents as a liberal arts major. It's sad that I feel like I make far more sense than Mr. Bashir on a cable news network.
Earth to Martin:
Submitted by hoystory on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 6:41pm.
You're doing it wrong.
Well, that put him in his place all right, Martin
Submitted by CO2Maker on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 6:48pm.
Basher's comment is a cross between "I've come to bury Caesar" and "Don't throw me in the briar patch!"
Please, pleeeeease, Martin, don't compare Mitt to Margaret Thatcher. >eww gross<
➚ Good thing, CO2
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:18am.
I was going to make the same reference to Uncle Remus.
Just don't mention the Tar Baby. Liberals are reflexively too racist and too stupid to understand the significance.
It would surely be a shame if Mitt Romney had the burden of Margaret Thatcher's character to answer for.
Thank goodness, Cool...
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 2:24am.
I was getting worried. Several hours had elapsed since you last posted an iteration of your recurring "LIBERALS ARE RACISTS" meme. Hopefully NewsBusters is planning a special "top of the blog" announcement when you reach the two thousand milestone [early next week by my calculations].
By the way, tossing in the "stupidity" card was a particularly clever flourish. Might I suggest for your next entry you make only a slight revision as follows: "Liberals are reflexively racist and 90% of black voters are too stupid to understand that"--such being the logical corollary to your assertions.
Jer
Thank goodness, Uncle Jer.....
Submitted by The Vet on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 2:51am.
I was getting worried. It has been less than an hour since you felt compelled to answer up anytime someone uses the broad brush term "liberals". Happily, Newsbusters was kind enough to show yet another member of the MSM painting conservatives as racists to offset your post. Lord in heaven forbid you pass up a chance label someone here as incendiary.
For future reference, Vet...
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 2:55am.
my rule of thumb is to needle Cool every tenth post with the "libs are racists" theme. He expects it and is unfazed by it.
Uncle Jer
PS...and as you should know, I repeatedly blast the race card dealing Dems and libs.
For future reference, Uncle Jer....
Submitted by The Vet on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:09am.
That was a drive-by post that did not require a engaging response. The clue --- a distant but heavy boom. The only response required would be a mournful bewailment from a fortified position.
Yes sir...
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:20am.
Am vehemently berating myself even as I type this comment.
U J
➚Jer
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:22am.
I cannot agree with your claim that "Liberals are reflexively racist and 90% of black voters are too stupid to understand that"
Though I'm not surprised you, et Liberal ilk, believe such a thing, I am surprised you would publicly make such a claim.
Finally showing your true colors.
Locked in now. You can't say you didn't say it. Maybe I'll make it my "Jer's quote" tagline.
And I am not surprised you would leap to that
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:27am.
conclusion and post same. It is classic Coolspeak which I identified and became quite accustomed to during the very early stages of my NewsBusters career.
Jer
➚ No problem, Jer
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 9:51am.
So now you're upset that I don't agree with you? Good. You're the one who carefully thought out your statement.
I don't believe you pulled that "90%" stat out of thin air.
Don't dump off your claim that "black voters are too stupid" on me. You own that observation.
I wish Mittens RINOmney really was like Margaret Thatcher...
Submitted by Dave. on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:28pm.
...instead of being a jackass in an elephant suit.
-Dave
Vote for the American in November
Bashier
Submitted by grammajane on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 10:35pm.
The only way you can "clear the air" is to go back to where in the hel you came from. The sooner, the better
And marty
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:02pm.
I compare you to what was flushed after dinner. So, what's your point?
One of Bashir's guests was suspended for saying that Romney
Submitted by Rush Fan on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:31am.
was only comfortable around 'White Folks'. Politico reporter Joe Williams said (VIDEO):
Politico : POLITICO reporter suspended for remarks.
Breitbart.com: POLITICO REPORTER TWEETS ANN ROMNEY PENIS JOKE
Too bad MSNBC didn't suspend Bashir as well...
Submitted by Jer on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:33am.
He set up the comment by Williams. He's just awful.
Jer
How can anyone that stupid get a show on TV? Oh, I...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:59am.
forgot. He works for MSNBC.
A a empty headed, know
Submitted by John21 on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 7:40am.
A a empty headed, know nothing liberal like Martin this is proabably an insult to any thinking human being it is a complement.
Does anyone really believe the mind numbing stupidity of this man. This man could claimthat water is wet and most of the people would go to their sink to findout if water had changed.
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“Few men have the virtue to withstand the highest bidder.” George Washington
He is not one of them
Hay, NewsBusters....
Submitted by CobraMan on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:29pm.
Hay, Newsbusters, why was mittromney.com trying to set a cookie on my pc when I visited this page? What did you put in the script? A simple link wouldn't do that. Was that a tracking cookie?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
MSNBC slogan
Submitted by Model850 on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:02pm.
I think Bashir has just introduced MSNBC's newest slogan:
If you don’t like the facts, simply go ahead and tell some lies.
Now I realize this long has been MSNBC's guiding principle (see Maddow, Matthews, Schultz, et al.) but I think this is the first time anyone on the network actually has articulated the position publicly.