Alterman: Matthews Centrist; Olbermann Merely 'Taken for a Liberal'

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What does it take to be a liberal in Eric Alterman's book? In his current column at The Nation, The Many Man-Crushes of Chris Matthews, Altermann labels Chris Matthews a "centrist" that MSNBC sandwiches between the "right-wing" Tucker Carlson and "taken-for-a-liberal Keith Olbermann."

"Taken-for-a-liberal Keith Olbermann"? Sounds like Keith hasn't quite earned his lefty wings in Eric's estimation. I mean, after all, Olbermann has only called for President Bush's impeachment, accused the Bush administration of representing a new form of fascism, and generally chewed the leftist curtains in his overwrought "Special Comments."

If Keith's liberal street cred is suspect, I wonder how Eric might view the credentials of others on the left? Let's imagine:

• Taken-for-a-Communist-dictator Fidel Castro.
• Ersatz left-wing film-maker Michael Moore.
• Faux progressive Ralph Nader.
• Self-styled leftist Noam Chomsky.
• So-called liberal Barney Frank.
• Would-be radical Katrina vanden Heuvel

Might Alterman take it to the ultimate: "meretricious marxist Karl Marx," anyone?

Feel free to add to the list!

Aside: Alterman's column gives rise to another rousing round of WIARHSI. What if a Republican had written of Chris Matthews' "many man crushes"? How many nanoseconds before the first liberal cry of "homophobia!?

Contact certified conservative Mark at mark@gunhill.net