On Monday's Countdown show, MSNBC host Keith Olbermann suggested that the recent decision by NBC News to label violence in Iraq as a "civil war" was comparable to the 1968 decision by Walter Cronkite to declare the Vietnam War a "stalemate," as the former CBS News anchor lost confidence in America's ability to win the war. Olbermann led the show quoting from Cronkite's 1968 statement, including the proclamation that "the only rational way out would be to negotiate," as the Countdown host contended that Cronkite had "truly matched his signoff 'And that's the way it is.'" Below is a transcript of relevant portions of the November 27 Countdown show:
Keith Olbermann, in opening teaser: "Which of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow? It is civil war in Iraq. Not says the State Department. Not says the Iraqi government. But after long and painful consideration, it meets the technical standards for civil war, and we must call it that, says NBC News. Is this the 'Walter Cronkite moment' of the Iraq War? Retired Colonel Jack Jacobs on the why and how the sectarian violence in Iraq qualifies for this fearful phrase. Craig Crawford predicts the impact, its relative position on the Cronkite scale, and the backlash. Dana Milbank on the impact on the President on the latest leaks about the Baker commission report and Mr. Bush's impending summit meeting with Nouri al-Maliki. Mr. Bush thinks it is not civil war in Iraq, but it is too dangerous to meet Iraq's prime minister in Iraq."
...
Olbermann, introducing show: "Good evening from Los Angeles. 'We have been too often disappointed by the optimism of the American leaders both in Vietnam and Washington to have faith any longer in the silver linings they find in the darkest clouds,' the observer began exactly 38 years and nine months ago tonight. 'To say that we are closer to victory today is to believe, in the face of the evidence, the optimists, who have been wrong in the past. To suggest we're on the edge of defeat is to yield to unreasonable pessimism. To say that we are mired in stalemate seems the only realistic, yet unsatisfactory, conclusion.' And the observer's conclusion: 'It is increasingly clear to this reporter that the only rational way out would be to negotiate -- not as victors, but as an honorable people who lived up to their pledge to defend democracy and did the best they could.' Our fifth story on the Countdown, after years of erring on the side of caution about Vietnam, Walter Cronkite, on February 27, 1968, truly matched his signoff 'And that's the way it is,' and America never saw that war the same way. Wishing neither to make an undue analogy nor be too introspective, but on the advice of a panel of experts, NBC News and MSNBC have today decided to call it in Iraq, the way it is, 'civil war.'"
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They were wrong then, and t
November 28, 2006 - 00:51 ET by liberal_bug_zapperThey were wrong then, and they're wrong now.
We won the Tet offensive hands down. We gave the enemy such a trouncing that had this been a battle of WWII, it would have been hailed a great victory for the US.
Fast forward to Iraq... we've been slaughtering the foreign combatants, and they in turn have been slaughtering Iraqi Sunis and Shias posing as the other faction to try and start a civil war. There is proof of Iran and Syria's complicity and aid in this.... yet the media continue their march to lose this war... and claim victory for themselves.
Who will win the war against our own leftists. One thing I do agree with Bill O'Reilly on is that we are in the middle of a culture war in the US. But I see it as much more deadly and having far more catastrophic after effects than a simple disagreement on cultural issues. This is more than gay marriage. This attack on everything the US does by the worldwide left, and our own traitors within is designed to take the US out of the picture so that worldwide socialism can take over. They hate us because we prove that our system is better... so it is now their aim to destroy that.
Remember, they always believe that even if they get us defeated, once the capitalists lose and their socialist allies take over in government, everything can be fixed. To them, the end justifies the means.
World Wide Socialism must be stopped at any cost.
ROFLMAO. Nice try, Keith.
November 28, 2006 - 00:58 ET by Uncle JohnROFLMAO. Nice try, Keith.
Perhaps we should give Los An
November 28, 2006 - 01:00 ET by StonefingersPerhaps we should give Los Angeles, Boston, New York, and Washington to the liberals, and they can secede from the US, start their own damn country, and take the UN headquarters with them. They can raise taxes, abolish morality, and whine all they want without bothering the rest of us.
We put the new capital of the United States somewhere sensible, like Indianapolis or Little Rock, and then win this damn war without the constant harping of the termite-brained media.
Ah, if only we could.
November 28, 2006 - 01:04 ET by Uncle JohnAh, if only we could.
uncle
November 28, 2006 - 01:10 ET by misterbilladd me to that list--we don't need them --
I'd vote for INDY for the new capital
November 28, 2006 - 01:25 ET by terrigI'm defintely in that camp as well
I agree with all of your se
November 28, 2006 - 10:23 ET by happyuscitizenI agree with all of your sentiments but don't just give away US Cities. No Way let them leave with all of their fellow ideologues and go to Greenland, it would be great!. I agree take the UN with them plus Greenland would appeal to the environazis because it has the word green in it. Brilliant!
Cronkite
November 28, 2006 - 01:16 ET by Sugar LandNo, Olberpuke is dead on. Cronkite lied through his liberal teeth about what was happening in Vietnam. He had full intention of breaking Americans' resolve. NBC and their partners in crime are at least attempting to do the same. So... totally by accident and unintentionally... which would be the only way Olberfunk would possibly say something true... he's right.
still mad at mattie?
November 28, 2006 - 01:37 ET by foolnomoreo'do'r!!! now ya drag'n olde" uncle walt'da" into this ,,he was useful back then fogging the truth,did his time," did what he was told" just like you do,stop hyperventilating!! I'll go only if they got a waffle house,hooters,nascar track,an wet bar!!! no tellie's no pant suit's or suit's with pink ties!!!,,bags & bike's ready,,
No Cronkite moments possible
November 28, 2006 - 01:44 ET by nkviking75Fortunately, the media climate has undergone a radical shift since 1968. Back then there were only three commercial networks, each with their own evening newscast. Really two, since ABC was considered little more than an also-ran network at that time. And Cronkite, nicknamed "Uncle Walter", was known as the most trusted man in America. The only broadcast view of the war in Vietnam was on film that was a few days old. Satellite feeds were rarely used, so the film had to be shot, shipped to America, developed, and edited, all of which took time. Few people had cable. There was no CNN, Fox, or MSNBC. And there was no conservative press with any influence. No Limbaugh, no Hannity, no internet, and on and on and on.
My point is here that Walter Cronkite had a level of influence that no one will ever have again in the MSM. President Johnson said (paraphrasing), "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost America." Today the Bush Administration can use various outlets to launch a media counteroffensive.
All NBC News may have accomplished is to give cover to other MSM types to start also claiming Iraq is a civil war. Unlike 1968, the MSM does not have to have the last word.
Keith Olberman is an idiot!
November 28, 2006 - 09:58 ET by Free StinkerKeith Olberman is an idiot!
Now, what was he saying about Iraq? ;-)
Keithy's latest delusion of
November 28, 2006 - 10:34 ET by happyuscitizenKeithy's latest delusion of grandure about how important he and his minions are over there at MSNBS has brought me to this conclusion: I must perform an intervention on my fellow Newsbusters members! I am so sorry but it must be done.
By us tuning in we are keeping the lights on over there when the humanitarian thing to do is just put MSNBS out of its misery. Stop watching!
I know, it is hard to not look at a car wreck as you drive by but you must stop
We are partially responsible for Keith's insanity right now. His only response to the truth a free thought is to yell the loudest, confirming what I have always heard that liberalism is a mental disorder. He needs to forcibly admitted for psychiatric treatment for the safety of the general public. After successful treatment he can return to sports commentary at the local Fox affiliate in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Keithy you're a sick man you silly libtard and I apologize for antagonizing you so I pledge to no longer tune in to your show. Get better and take a good coat Wisconsin gets cold in the winter!