On Thursday, NewsBusters reported the disgraceful behavior of the media following the announcement of Sen. Tim Johnson’s (D-SD) illness the day before. Sadly, as NB was chronicling report after report by press representatives showing much more concern for how this unfortunate event could impact the balance of power in the Senate than for the health of the man in question, Newsweek columnist Eleanor Clift was jumping on the conscienceless bandwagon a mere seven and a half hours later.
Eleanor’s disgrace started with the headline: “Balance of Power; Tim Johnson's health crisis is a reminder of the fragility of the Democratic majority. What the party should do now.”
Do you eat with the same hands you type with, Eleanor? Regardless of the answer, Clift began her abomination by suggesting Johnson’s malady might have been something prayed for by the President, and that Republicans are on their knees hoping for the worst (emphasis mine):
The possibility that the Senate might yet remain in Republican hands is a godsend for President Bush. With his Iraq policy in shambles and the Joint Chiefs of Staff resisting a last call to arms, Bush must have been wondering whether the higher power he consulted before taking the country to war had abandoned him.
Word that South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson had suffered a brain hemorrhage that could leave him unable to serve out his term has repercussions throughout the body politic. On a human level, everybody hopes and prays for Johnson’s recovery. But this is Washington, and with the Senate poised to do real damage to Bush and his war party, not everybody’s prayers will be answered.
I’m not kidding you, folks. That’s really how she started an article that was published roughly 24 hours after the Senator was rushed to the hospital. Frankly, I’m so disgusted that I don’t want to cut-and-paste any more of this disrespectful drivel. Those with a stronger stomach than I should click on the link above, but I’m outtie, for I need to go scrub this filth from my fingertips, hug my children, and imagine a world where people have more concern for their fellow man than Eleanor Clift obviously does.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
This is disgusting- she is a
December 16, 2006 - 14:02 ET by NazarethThis is disgusting- she is a shame and a blight on our society as are all those that simply want to 'damage the President and his war on terror' as she so honestly confirmed. At what price? Their souls?
http://sacredscoop.com
Are we supposed to be surpris
December 16, 2006 - 14:14 ET by bigtimerAre we supposed to be surprised here...really? Politics is a 'blood-sport' played best by the leftist.
Anyone notice in the last couple of days the guilt factor the leftist and their ilk are trying to lay on the republicans and put pressure on the Gov. of S.D. if he dare appoint a fellow Republican if Johnson is unable to serve...
Please, this is not surprising in the least. Disgusting, yes, not surprising by any means.
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
Of course McLaughlin's pansy a$$ won't say anything as well...
December 16, 2006 - 14:19 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasNo doubt McLaughlin's typical girly temperment won't have the integrity or consitution to call Clift on this disgusting implication, in the least. He will continue, no doubt, to give her a grand avenue to promote such repugnant proclamations.
Clift is so disgusting in the article she goes on to explicitly state that "it is hard to imagine that the governor of South Dakota, who is a Republican, would want to do anything to jeopardize Johnson's recover-like naming a Republican to replace him." Talk about outrageousless irresponsible...but ya know, like I said McLaughlin long ago put his gonads in a glass display case, so I doubt he will confront her on that as well.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
The freedom ones mind must ha
December 16, 2006 - 14:24 ET by tweakthetrollThe freedom ones mind must have when lacking a soul.
Guy
December 16, 2006 - 14:24 ET by Noel SheppardGuy,
The McLaughlin Group is and has been by far the best weekly political panel discussion program for more than two decades. In fact, this is a metaphysical certitude! :-)
John does a fabulous job of allowing his guests from both sides of the aisle to pontificate with total impunity. This is true for Pat, Tony, whoever the other lefty is, and, yes, Eleanor. However, I don't think she necessarily gets more time or leeway than anybody else. Instead, I think her tone and demeanor just makes it seem that way. ns
The McLauglin Groups has gone downward for some time...
December 16, 2006 - 14:32 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasNoel, I have to disagree quite pointedly with you on that. McLaughlin has pampered and coddled the outrageous Clift who really has no other spot on television, maybe a crumb to feel sorry for her but is that what the truth is about? Giving crumbs to invalid commentators For some time now McLaughlin has gone further and further left without having the integrity to confront the outrageous, at least in my opinion. Personally I find no value in a moderator who doesn't have the personal conviction to confront the inconsistencies and inexcusable sins of his panel, both left and right. But it appears McLaughlin all to often finds such courage only when confronting the excesses of the right. Yes, moderation doesn't mean micro-managing but then to say he moderates without impunity means to me, he isn't moderating at all and personally I have found him to be too often left and an excuse maker for Clift. But your observations are taken with great respect and consideration for future watching on McLaughlin.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Well at least McLaughlin didn
December 16, 2006 - 14:37 ET by Dave DWell at least McLaughlin didn't stop Tony reeming Eleanor over that Shinseki myth. Oh well, guess she can pray to Clinton for Sen Johnson quick recovery, you know since she worships the guy.
McLauglin has gone further an
December 16, 2006 - 14:41 ET by bigtimerMcLauglin has gone further and further to the left over the years...disappointingly so...I have been watching him regularly for over fifteen years or more I think...
Personally, I think it was from his recent (the last couple of years or so) that it became obvious to me that he was slowly but surely slanting to the loony left...sometimes I just skip it altogether, unless it is half time on my local station and I remember and I am in the mood to put up with it.
Eleanor's screeching voice is something you have to over-come and be in the mood to take that day.
Just throwing in my two cents for the day...
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
I once...
December 16, 2006 - 15:11 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasI once listened to Clift and followed it with some O'Donnell. I thought it might be like a beer chaser....ugh was I WRONG! Heh Heh
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
You're right, bigtimer. He
December 17, 2006 - 05:19 ET by GalvanicYou're right, bigtimer. He won't criticze Clift over this article. Over the past few years, McLaughlin has grown wearisome in a liberal way.
Guy
December 16, 2006 - 14:46 ET by Noel SheppardGuy,
Well, there may be a bit of reverse sexism going on for Eleanor because she is the only woman regularly on the panel. On the flipside, the same courtesy wasn't given to Liz Marlantes who used to write for the CS Monitor, and is now with ABC. Also, the name escapes me, but a British writer from the Financial Times was one of the panelists a week or so ago, and she also wasn't given the same freedom to espouse inanities as Clift. As such, you may have a point that I too quickly dismissed.
I also agree that John has moved to the left in the past few years. However, I think this is mostly due to his disagreement with going into Iraq. As a result, he appears less comfortable with conservative views than he did in the 90s.
That said, I like the free reign he gives to his panelists. These are always highly respected, intelligent (even Eleanor) journalists with very strong opinions on the issues being discussed. Unlike the way Stephanopoulos, Matthews, or Russert do it, John lets his guests speak their mind without everybody being somewhat compelled to agree with him. In the end, you certainly know where he stands, but you also know where they do, too. That makes it infinitely more enjoyable than "This Week", "MTP", or the "CM Show." ns
Thanks Noel
December 16, 2006 - 15:14 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasThanks again for the input and your valueable insights. I do agree that the prescription for freedom that McLaughlin uses does have its assets as well, assets that produce more honest expression and laititude in thought, something the boys on the network leashes either won't do or aren't allowed to do.
If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal.
Clift
December 16, 2006 - 14:37 ET by iveseenitallPersonally, I don't like Clift. I think she's a typical ignorant and illogical liberal. Moveover, I've always found her to be a cold #$@%$ and quite arrogant about it. This is truly no surprise to me.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
That hag has revulsed and i
December 16, 2006 - 21:33 ET by Uncle JohnThat hag has revulsed and irritated me from the first time I saw her on McLaughlin almost twenty years ago. I have never heard anything positive or useful come from her blowhole, and I think I never will. Every time I see even her picture I want to beat her senseless. I make it a point to change the channel if I ever see her on TV, for my own peace of mind and blood pressure.
bleeding heart ya right
December 16, 2006 - 15:11 ET by foolnomoreshe's just showing what her true soul look's like, didn't she have a side job driving the car out of Marscy Park? Maybe she bury'ed more then stories back then,did she happen to deliever pizza too??
it is not in the interest of
December 16, 2006 - 16:11 ET by ucit is not in the interest of democracy that she or Hillary still has a job even just a job hand to them by Patrick Moynahan. How has she escaped "davy Jones' locker" one more hopefully relevance and intelligence questioned review not just we can fix your image moment. There was so much more I wanted to add today but no one gave me a set shot to play off. Maybe I will get a publishing deal to tell you all how Clinton's were proped up in early 1990's because all first string democrat candidates were running scared and Bush 41 with the Persian Gulf war was being left by them out to rot with dems own King George comedy leading to his by Democrats new royal wrong though right to another term. Democrats in 1989 through 1992 had absolutely no clue as to how middle east was setting US up for a fall against ourselves attack. Just some real memories and thoughts.
Gee, uc, you have matured greatly on this site.
December 17, 2006 - 07:01 ET by acaiguana//Serious filter on
Gee, uc, you have matured greatly on this site.
You add a solid spice to the flavor of all discussion. Keep up.
//Serious filter off now.
ACA
...
Acaiguana says: "Ya can't win if ya don't play."
Eleanor Clift, Margaret Carls
December 16, 2006 - 17:18 ET by TEEleanor Clift, Margaret Carlson, Claire Shipman, Katie Couric, Andrea Mitchell, Gwen Ifel, Hanna Storm, Andrea Koppel, Leslie Stahl, Helen Thomas, Jill Abramson, Jackie Calmes, Nora O'Donnell, and on and on and on. Those feminists are some incredibly dimwitted dingbats, who actually claim to "report" "news". Of course, their male collegues may be even more stupid.
TE...It's an even playing fie
December 16, 2006 - 17:25 ET by bigtimerTE...
It's an even playing field for the left doncha' ya know when it comes to the sexes and so-called reporters!
I call them all the enemy within, even though some are to dumb to realize they are working with them (and for them)...happily. Just simpleton pawns...that think they may get stardom someday...and a few most likely will, unfortunately.
"Once the coffers of the federal government are opened to the public, there will be no shutting them again." - Grover Cleveland
the C word
December 16, 2006 - 18:01 ET by RackieDouchebaggery!
Eleanor Clift: wacko lib gone off her rocker
December 16, 2006 - 19:29 ET by Mary Louise TurnerBetween the appalling coverage of Sen. Tim Johnson's illness, the rejoicing over the Democratic takeover of Congress and the attempts to rehabilitate the image of Jimmy "Killer Rabbit" Carter, one of the worst presidents in history, the mainstream media has really gone off the deep end as 2006 comes to a close.
Joining Dan Rather, Katie Couric, Keith Olbermann, Jack Cafferty, and Bob Franken in the media "rubber room" is Eleanor Clift, a wacko lib if there ever was one. She really went off her rocker with those tacky, disgusting remarks about Mr. Johnson's illness.
Gee, and the press wonders why audiences and readers are disappearing?
Souless, vile, evil b-----, w
December 16, 2006 - 22:15 ET by richflanjSouless, vile, evil b-----, worshiping only at the alter of political power. I hope for her sake no one treats her the same way if her next plastic surgery goes wrong and she ends up in intensive care....
"The right to be heard does not automatically include the right to be taken seriously." --Hubert Humphrey
Whenever I hear her going o
December 17, 2006 - 01:26 ET by kevcadWhenever I hear her going on her shrill skreeds, why does it remind me of Jim Carrey's Dumb & Dumber character making that oh so annoying sound to Jeff Daniels while riding in that van?
uc memory lane
December 17, 2006 - 02:00 ET by foolnomoreuc/ maybe we all should dig deep into the sudconscious and find some little tid-bit's to ponder about at how we all got snow jobbed so well,so we can start the year off with full disclosure of facts to expose the media for what they did-not get done?? remember they work harder at hindering the truth, then finding it.
Clift--one of the many reason
December 17, 2006 - 06:52 ET by Andrew H.Clift--one of the many reasons I NEVER buy Newsweek--and don't catch the McGlaughlin group (haven't in years)... fact is, I haven't heard or read her in years and have suffered no loss.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Sad using this mans poor heal
December 17, 2006 - 06:55 ET by ChemicalOperatorSad using this mans poor health for personal gain. I am sure it makes his family feel terrific. It just goes to prove Ann Coulters point that Liberalism is a godless religion
This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.
Exactly Chem--I pray and hope
December 17, 2006 - 07:04 ET by Andrew H.Exactly Chem--I pray and hope for his health and his return. He's mighty young in my view. We have to beat them at the ballot box and no other way. Contrary to Franken and many dem media talking heads, it is the liberals more concerned with their power then conservatives. It's another typical example of their god ruling their minds and hearts.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
I remember when John McLaug
December 17, 2006 - 10:04 ET by Conrad5I remember when John McLaughlin used to be the Washington editor for this obscure magazine named The National Review. One can’t seriously suggest that he hasn't moved considerably to the left since those days. Back then, Eleanor Clift was nothing more than a circus clown on his show, presented to recite a cartoonish liberal point of view, that most viewers chuckled at, but never took seriously. Now, her ideology seems more closely matched than ever to that of the old man, who himself appears to have taken leave of his senses lately.
What's with his obsessive-compulsive penchant for reciting interminable (and inconsequential) lists in the past few years? And does the volume on the topic introduction segments really need to be that much higher than the rest of the show? This guy either has a really bad sound engineer, or a huge ego...or perhaps, both.
Between Clift, Buchanan, and O’Donnell shouting at each other throughout most of the show, I can barely understand much of the dialog. Just once, I’d like to see Tony Blankely make a point without being interrupted or brushed away by one of McLaughlin’s dismissive hand gestures. His idea of “balance” is to present four anti-war commentators (including himself) to drown-out any points made by Tony Blankley. He must be angling for an article in the NYT about how much he has “grown”.
Wellstone
December 17, 2006 - 09:56 ET by iveseenitallDon't ever forget the Wellstone "funeral". That one even disgusted some Democrats (not many, of course).
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Ghoulish atmosphere
December 17, 2006 - 11:46 ET by nkviking75Here's another example of the ghoulish nature of this story. I just heard CBS News on the radio at 10 am CST on Sunday. I can't quote it exactly, but the anchor said something pretty close to, "Harry Reid refused to say whether Johnson is conscious." Thank God the Republican governor of South Dakota, Mike Rounds, is showing enormous class through all of this.
"Balance of Power; Tim
December 17, 2006 - 14:52 ET by JDW"Balance of Power; Tim Johnson's health crisis is a reminder of the fragility of the Democratic majority. What the party should do now."
Eleanor,
This is truly heartless.
What kind of an individual are you?
The idea of questioning our praying for the health of Sen Johnson grotesque.
Take a few minutes to look up Zell Miller's appointment, nobody blamed him let alone the party.
JDW
Kerry: "You know, education, if you make the most of it ... you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."
Eleanor Clift = disgraceWhen
December 18, 2006 - 19:05 ET by buddycEleanor Clift = disgrace
When has she ever said anything that was not a disgrace.
Isn't she the daughter of famous gay actor Montgomery Clift? Is this just another angry mean hetrophobe?