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MSNBC's President Trumpets Lefty Identity: Our Network Is the 'Place to Go for Progressives'

By Scott Whitlock | June 20, 2011 | 16:01

A  A
Scott Whitlock's picture

In an interview with the AP, MSNBC President Phil Griffin bragged about life after Keith Olbermann, touting the cable channel as "really the place to go for progressives."

Griffin didn't bother denying the liberal bent of the network. He highlighted left-wing anchor Rachel Maddow, hyping, "She really has elevated the discussion and is in many ways the model that we want for cable news."

The MSNBC executive wouldn't discuss Keith Olbermann, who abruptly left the cable network in January. His new show will debut this week on Current TV.

The Media Research Center has compiled a list of Olbermann's worst, most frothing examples of hard-left rage. See Countdown to Unhinged Rage for video of Olbermann slamming conservatives as "murderous," violence-supporting Nazis.

In the June 19 AP piece by David Bauder, Griffin identified his network's brand: "MSNBC has established a sensibility, a position, a platform...MSNBC stands for something and MSNBC is really the place to go for progressives and people who are looking for smart, thoughtful analysis."     

Bauder quoted the MRC's Tim Graham on the problem that the cable channel now faces:

MSNBC is facing the same issue that Fox News had during the Bush administration: It's not as exciting being on defense when the party you support is in power as it is being on the outs and on the attack, said Tim Graham of the conservative Media Research Center.

"Now it's, 'Let's not make trouble for these people. They have enough to handle with angry conservatives,'" he said.

Jeff Cohen, founder of the liberal Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, was also quoted in the piece and perhaps touched on Olbermannn's reputation for being difficult to work with. He delicately explained, "I would argue that it was more independent when Olbermann was there...His charm, if you can call it that, is that he's uncontrollable. He's not a party-line guy."

# # #

About the Author

Scott Whitlock is the senior news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow Scott Whitlock on Twitter.
  • Media Bias Debate
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Comments

"Here's Your Sign"...To those who still doubt that MSNBC is...

Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:19pm.

a leftist propaganda outlet, this is proof that you are dead wrong.

MSNBC is "...really the place to go for progressives..." and Rachel Maddow "...has elevated the discussion and is in many ways the model that we want for cable news."

That's it, folks...Right out of Griffin's own mouth.

Case closed.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan 

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MSNBC. Lean Forward, lefties? DUH!

Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:43pm.

Rachel Maddow "is in many ways the model that we want for cable news."

What?  They want loud mouthed, brain dead lesbians, and sissy men?  

I guess when you're standing there with your Weiner hanging out, you may as well try to spin it to your advantage, huh?

Comrade Bubba
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Apparently...The comment about Madcow almost made me laugh...

Submitted by PrairieSky on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 6:00pm.

If that's what they want, if she is what they consider a model for their news organization, then more power to them...This will marginalize them even more and further convince people that MSNBC is nothing but a fringe liberal propaganda outlet.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction...It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them (our children) to do the same." ~President Ronald Reagan 

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Place to go?

Submitted by adamsmith on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 7:37am.

It's the place to go for Communists. That and Lenin's "useful idiots". Rachel Maddow? Please bring on more......

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Well-he may be right if

Submitted by KornKing on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:38pm.

The model he refers to has something to do with showing everyone how stupid they are

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...smart thoughtful, analysis at MSNBC?

Submitted by gruyere cheese on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:39pm.

I did not know that ranting, insulting viewers, calling GOP members or anyone who is not a liberal vicious names is considered; smart, thoughtful, analysis. These words being uttered by the President of this liberal cable station...you know the upper management dude that sets the tone for the behaviour of their employees and the direction of the company. It says it all, doesn't it?

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'Place to Go for Progressives'

Submitted by Dave. on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:47pm.

'Place to Go for Regressives.'

There, I fixed it.

There is nothing even remotely "progressive" about what the far-left and it's Soros-groomed, bought-and-paid-for puppet-without-a-past that he helped put in the White House, is currently doing to this country.

The entire foundation this country was built upon is being rapidly ripped out block by block, and no one in a position to do something about it (that would be House congress critters) seems to want to do what in necessary to stop it.

They have had nearly six months to rip the financial guts out of Obamunism, yet they cannot even bring themselves to defund ObamaCare, which they voted to repeal.

At some point, the whole works is going to come crashing down around us.

As for Cohen's contention that Keithie was not a 'party-line' guy, what a total crock.

-Dave

Vote for the American in November

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Give a little credit

Submitted by jon_torlin on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:05pm.

At least they are being a little more honest that they aren't the place to go for news.

After all, they get their WH talking points and have someone to pass them along to.

-Jon

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How's that liberal slant workin'

Submitted by johnsonl on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:42pm.

out for the network business plan, there, Phil?

You'll be looking for a new job, soon!

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Gee, Phil Griffin is now

Submitted by Beukeboom on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:43pm.

Gee, Phil Griffin is now admitting what everyone knew all along?!? What took him so long?

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"Smart, thoughtful analysis"

Submitted by HockeyKid on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:46pm.

is the last thing you'll find on MSDNC. Blind, thoughtless propaganda is their specialty.

"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me

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Instead of "Lean Forward"...

Submitted by bigdaddy on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:47pm.

...how about "Veer Left"?

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Don Lemon of CNN would want

Submitted by jkwtrading on Tue, 06/21/2011 - 12:22am.

Don Lemon of CNN would want the lean forward and keep leaning, veering left might hurt.

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In other news, water is wet

Submitted by locomotivebreath1901 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 4:54pm.

"MSNBC President Phil Griffin bragged about life after Keith Olbermann, touting the cable channel as "really the place to go for progressives."

Seriously?

Did he figure that out all by himself, or did he get that news flash from FOX News?

http://locomotivebreath1901.blogspot.com
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Lefties

Submitted by grammajane on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:05pm.

He brags about being progressive and how Maddow raised the stakes in progressive talk. Then tell me why all the lefties on that lowest rated cable news channel bash Fox for their Conservative and fair and balanced reporting? Makes no sense what-so-ever but, then what does, coming from lefties. All they have to offer is Tingles, Bashier, Ed and all the rest and they are proud of their accomplishments. Fox has more viewers for one show then any of them have all week.

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MESSNBC is NOT the place to go for Progressives. It...

Submitted by jawebster1 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:13pm.

is one of many places they can go. They can go to ABCCBSNBCCNNHLN. That is why Fox is so unique. It is the ONLY place Conservatives can go for "Fair and Balanced" coverage of the news. I say that even though "Shemp" Smith is a Liberal and unfortunately, works for Fox. P.S. "Progressive" is a word Progressives use in place of the word "Socialist".

Jim Webster
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jaw,

Submitted by Chris Norman on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 11:02pm.

ABCBSBCNN are just the education camps where the politically uninformed are subtly indoctrinated in liberal ideology . Once they are committed "progressives", then, and only then, are they steeled and ready to stomach the non-stop poisonous liberal haranguing that is on MSNBC.

Let's make the 2012 campaign: "The War on Error"
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I'm stunned...just stunned...

Submitted by 4eyes50 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:11pm.

I can't tell you how just stunned I am! I had no idea whatsoever. Man, I'm just stunned...

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Gee, 4eyes50...

Submitted by DumbCanuck on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 6:54pm.

It almost sounds as if you were stunned!

"There... Are... Four... Lights!"

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Olbermann and Kos threaten to take their audience.

Submitted by Texndoc on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:22pm.

I was reading about it on Hot Air. Olbermann and Markos (Kos) want to bury MSNBC. Aren't you going to lose sleep over this? I have no idea where Al Gore's channel is on my box. Probably 976 or something, if it's there at all.

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definition of "progressive"

Submitted by Clutch1956 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:24pm.

Fully indoctrinated, easily-led sheeple that blindly follow their master's commands while believing that they are intellectually superior to anyone that does not have an Ivy League degree. Also slavishly believes the Government is THE Answer (when D is predominate) and that the MSM always speaks the Truth from the center without ANY bias.

IOW, complete and total idiots that should not be trusted with anything sharper than a rubber ball.

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Jon Stewart's Racist Comments On Herman Cain Not Liking To Read

Submitted by im41 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:26pm.

Tip

It is only racism when it comes from the right

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There's nothing "progressive"

Submitted by rbosque on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:38pm.

There's nothing "progressive" about promoting failed political and economic socialist systems that have caused the death and misery of millions of people.

"It may be true that you can't fool all the people all the time, but you can fool enough of them to rule a large country"......Will Durant
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HEY JON STEWART!!!... THEY ADMIT they ARE LEFTIES

Submitted by OldJarhead77 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 5:46pm.

They didn't say they were trying to be like Fox they said THEY ARE LEFTIES EAT THAT STEWIE...
And we all know what MSNBC means:
Misogynist
Socialist
Numb
Brainless
Commies

OR

Matthews
Sucks
Nimbly on
Barracks
C*%k

Liberals: No Morals, No Standards, NO Problem!
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I'm so confused....

Submitted by DumbCanuck on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 6:58pm.

Phil Griffen says: MSNBC is "really the place to go for progressives."

But, but, but.... Didn't Mr. Phil say a while back that MSNBC wasn't biased, but Fox news was?

"There... Are... Four... Lights!"

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MSNBC

Submitted by jessieH on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 7:25pm.

I agree. If you watch MSNBC, you get progressive b.s.. So, in other words, if you watch MSNBC, you won't get news, you will get progressive propaganda. I'll bet that's why they are going down the tubes in ratings.

                                                                                                                                                                    

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Some Prominent Progresives Who Watch MSNBC:

Submitted by Comrade Jim on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 10:51pm.

Hugo Chavez
Fidel Castro
Kim Il Sung
Vladimir Putin

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Putin

Submitted by Radical1979 on Mon, 06/20/2011 - 10:54pm.

Didn't I just see that Putin is rooting for obama's re-election? What a guy. I bet Castro and Chavez feel the same.

Proud member of the 53%!
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