Hours after being featured on this morning's edition of "Morning Joe" program, liberal filmmaker Rory Kennedy sat down with MSNBC host Thomas Roberts for a softball interview shortly before 2:30 p.m. to promote her new documentary "The Fence."
Kennedy argued that the fence being built along the U.S. border with Mexico was a waste of money, both in its actual construction and in the money required for its maintenance and upkeep over its lifetime.
At no point did Roberts challenge Kennedy by pointing out the conservative argument that border security and national security are fundamental responsibilities of the federal government under the Constitution.
Robert closed the interview by asking Kennedy about her views on "what the Tea Party is doing to American politics." The daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy painted the movement as borderline anarchistic and simplistically anti-government, as well as bigoted [MP3 audio available here; WMV video for download here]:
Well, you know, I'm concerned about the Tea Party. I think a big part of their message is anti-government, and the role of government in society. And for me, government plays a huge role. Uh, it historically has done a great job creating an education system, creating a highway system, you know our trash is collected because of this, our kids are educated because of the role of the government. So I think when you say we don't want government, then what's going to take that's place? And I have a lot of concerns about the bigotry and the racism that comes out of a lot of, from a lot of the Tea Party leaders. I don't think it's the direction that this country needs to be going in right now.
Leaving aside her unsubstantiated charge of Tea Party bigotry, where are these anti-trash collection demands Kennedy's seeing from the Tea Party movement?
Roberts of course failed to call her out on these charges as he thanked Kennedy for the interview and reminded his viewers that "The Fence" airs tomorrow on HBO at 8 p.m. and to be sure to "check it out."
