In April, NewsBusters commended HBO for actually having a balanced panel on “Real Time”: “Maher ought to try this format of having two liberals (including himself) and two conservatives more often, for a much more balanced discussion ensued than normal, making for one of the most interesting 'Real Times' of the season so far.”
For a change, Tim Russert employed the same strategy on Sunday’s “Meet the Press,” inviting on Democrat strategists James Carville and Bob Shrum, and Republican strategists Mary Matalin and Mike Murphy.
What ensued was an absolutely marvelous discussion largely centering on presidential candidates from both sides of the aisle without the normal vitriol and inflammatory rhetoric we observe when there are either only liberals on the panel or a sole conservative.
It was both informative, entertaining, and at times quite humorous, especially when Carville was challenged about his dating maxims prior to getting married.
With that in mind, for those that missed it, the full transcript is available here, and the video available here, both courtesy of MSN.com.
Honestly, folks, this is what Sunday panel discussions should be: two conservatives and two liberals debating the issues of the day rather than four liberals spewing anti-Republican propaganda without any refutation or balance.
Bravo, Tim. Let’s do this every Sunday, okay?
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
It seems to me that when one
June 3, 2007 - 15:22 ET by SMGalbraithIt seems to me that when one party controls both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, that having a panel that is predominately representative of the party out of power is defensible. For the most part. Carried to an extreme, where every week there's an imbalance, isn't as defensible.
With everything up for grabs politically, these programs should focus on presenting greater balance. NBC deserves credit for this even-handedness, even if it employs the one man clown show known as Keith Olbermann (also known as the official mascot of Media Matters).
This may be superficial, but
June 3, 2007 - 15:29 ET byThis may be superficial, but could you imagine if there was life on other planets, an alien came here and was met by those four faces? I mean, would the alien not freak right out and get off this planet fast?
:o)
DJMS - do you mean - a dud, a
June 3, 2007 - 15:37 ET by FastEdDJMS - do you mean - a dud, a doll, a dead, and a dull - looking faces?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Smtih...superficial? Nah...
June 3, 2007 - 15:42 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasSmith superficial? Nah say it isn't so. I mean come on already. A quick visit to your own website would tell ya' that your favorite image is...well, DebraJSmith. Tsk tsk...for shame Debra in calling yourself shallow. Heh.
Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!
:o)
June 3, 2007 - 16:33 ET by:o)
I too liked the Russert show
June 3, 2007 - 15:45 ET by bigtimerI too liked the Russert show today...although I only saw the first half hour of the show due to Fox Sunday being on at the same time here in my area...I really was very pleased with what I heard in the first half hour.
Refreshing indeed, but in my opinion this format will unfortuanately not last for long....
One can hope.
BT
June 3, 2007 - 18:03 ET by Jerry MackBT:
I watched the entire show. Usally I get irritated and turn them off. I must agree that it was refreshing.
Yeah Jerry...This is usually
June 3, 2007 - 18:33 ET by bigtimerYeah Jerry...
This is usually very short lived when it comes to Russert...short-lived meaning this Sunday was most likely the last fair and balanced show that he presents for another four months...if not longer...lol!
Well 3 Liberals (you have t
June 3, 2007 - 15:58 ET by mlongWell 3 Liberals (you have to count the host too)against 2 Conservatives is a little more fair but it won't last the left and the MSM can feel that '08 is theres for the taking...the US government completely controlled by liberal Dems and I'm betting just like Global warming their reaction will be theres no more need to debate the issues of the day...they control everything and thats that.
I still remain very suspiciou
June 3, 2007 - 16:59 ET by Sonny LykosI still remain very suspicious. This time of the year people are on vacations. In addition, the masses have short term memories. So this may be nothing more than throwing a bone to the conservatives. We'll see what happens as we get closer to the '08 elections. Bet they revert back to being themselves.
‘Meet the Press’
June 3, 2007 - 18:25 ET by ThreePuttinDudeSonny Lykos Says:
June 3, 2007 - 16:59
I still remain very suspicious
I too find this suspicious, but as mentioned in an earlier post it is the beginning of summer and people are getting out of the house and doing yard work. This is probably just a tease, to tempt conservatives/republicans to watch these biased tabloid shows.
Just my opinion, only worth the paper it's writen on...oh I mean .... oh well
"...So this may be nothi
June 3, 2007 - 22:21 ET by FishFace222"...So this may be nothing more than throwing a bone to the conservatives. We'll see what happens as we get closer to the '08 elections. Bet they revert back to being themselves."
Or just an attempt to appear balanced until the Fairness Doctrine gets passed. Otherwise conservatives could target most of the TV programs that pass as news.
I saw some of this today and
June 3, 2007 - 19:29 ET by seth_kegleyI saw some of this today and I thought it was an interesting discussion. I wish they would have had someone other than Carville though. I just don't find anything he says to be worth much, at least Shrum seems to actually think to some degree.
Check out my blog at: http://preacherskid.blogdrive.com/
I agree, Carville is very bia
June 3, 2007 - 22:46 ET by amberI agree, Carville is very biased, he seems incapable of looking at anything truthfully and therefore, appears to be an idiot. Shrum has some really interesting points. My favorite was the quote from his book about the dems needing to stand for something. I do not see what Matlin sees in Carville, never have understood that one, she is really bright and fairly honest with herself and others. I also thought Russerts questions were really fair and did not show bias, but I could have missed something because I was making dinner. All in all it was pretty good. Even if it is so they appear balanced while not many people are watching, if enough people comment on how good it was, maybe they will continue in that pattern. It is the first time I ever sat through and entire show of Russert's.
Love Mary Matlin. Just don'
June 4, 2007 - 13:12 ET by drillanwrLove Mary Matlin. Just don't see how she crawls into bed every night with Gollum ... Must be the power of The Ring ...
I think you have that backwards
June 4, 2007 - 13:24 ET by SportPoliticsI think you have that backwards. It was obvious from Carville's start ugly early plan, that he scored way above his level....so...
James does the crawlin' and the begging... LOL....
She probably makes him say Clinton was a terrible president...LOL
Imagine what would the discus
June 4, 2007 - 14:22 ET by Senior ChiefImagine what would the discussions be after Russert's and just before they hit the pit...I won. No, no, I won, you loss...No, I won and you won't get any, get that?!