When tagging items at NewsBusters, one of our Media Bias sub-categories is "Sudden Respect." The notion is that to win the affection of the MSM, all a Republican or conservative needs to do is turn against members or positions of his party. A great illustration of the phenomenon comes from today's Morning Joe. During last night's undercard debate, Lindsey Graham repeatedly ripped fellow Republicans for their rhetoric on Muslims, at one point even apologizing to Muslims for Donald Trump's comments.
That caused the Morning Joe crew to have what Rush might call a GrahamGasm. Mike Barnicle called Graham "fantastic," Nicolle Wallace said "I adore Lindsey Graham." Most amazing was Mika Brzezinski, who beyond praising him as "incredible" actually declared, sounding like she was choking up, "I feel a connection with Lindsey Graham," causing Joe Scarborough to claim [we presume facetiously] that Mika said "where has he been all my life?" Not to be outdone, Joe called on President Obama to award Graham the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Barnicle summed up the panel's sentiment by saying "thank God for Lindsey Graham."
Note: Mark Halperin said something I actually agree with: "whatever happens with Lindsey Graham, he's now established himself as an American original who campaigns with his head and his heart." True. As a result of this campaign, Graham has come out from under McCain's shadow, and in my opinion shown himself to be smart and funny. That said, he's way off base when it comes to the Muslim issue. We need a leader unafraid to call out and confront radical Islamic terrorism. We've already seen the disastrous results of a president more concerned with not offending Muslim sensibilities than with defending this country.
Note Deux: Although Mika was clearly thrilled by Graham's performance, on review her declaration about feeling "a connection" with him seemed tongue-in-cheek. It was actually a bit of self-deprecating humor. Mika was making the point that during the debate, Graham expressed himself with facial gestures, without uttering a word. Much like . . . Mika does herself on every Morning Joe.
View the video and catch the Graham Love Fest.
MIKA BRZEZINSKI: Senator Lindsey Graham took on much of the Republican field for their approaches to the Islamic State.LINDSEY GRAHAM: Donald Trump has done the one single thing you cannot do. Declare war on Islam itself. ISIL would be dancing in the streets. They just don't believe in dancing. This is a coup for them. And to all of our Muslim friends throughout the world like the King of Jordan, and the President of Egypt: I am sorry. He does not represent us. There's at least 3,500 American Muslims serving in the armed forces. Thank you for your service. You are not the enemy. Your religion is not the enemy.
. . .
JOE SCARBOROUGH: What do you think?
MIKA: Lindsey Graham won the debate. I'm with you.
MIKE BARNICLE: Lindsey Graham was fantastic.
. . .
NICOLLE WALLACE: I adore Lindsey Graham. I think the apology at the very beginning did a lot of good for the Republican party.
MIKA: He was incredible . . . Lindsey Graham had some incredible moments and made unbelievably good sense and showed emotion and told his fellow Republicans to just stop on some of the things that are happening within the party.
. . .
JOE: I tell you what, his statements, Mike Barnicle, look at his facial expressions by the way.
MIKA: I have this put together because I feel a connection with Lindsey Graham.
JOE: Mika actually said where has he been all my life? where has he been all my life?
BARNICLE: Some of his best moments are without rhetoric. As here, especially when you get the shot of his reactions.
WALLACE: Great stuff.
MIKA: I'm telling you I feel a connection.
JOE: You should feel a connection because he rolls his eyes instead of saying anything sometimes.
MIKA: I think he's learned from the master. He must be watching Morning Joe.
JOE: Can I just say I wish President Obama would consider at some point giving him the Presidential Medal of Freedom or Honor or something despite him being rough on the president. What a great, great public service, Mike Barnicle. And I'm dead serious here. That Lindsey Graham performed on behalf of the Republican party that may not deserve it right now, and on behalf of Americans, who need some leader on my side of the aisle to say what he said about American Muslims. To tell the story about the American muslims who are putting their lives on the line every day for our freedom.
BARNICLE: Lindsey Graham's performance was a vital and very effective antidote to a lot of the rhetoric that's consuming the Republican party. At one point in that undercard debate, and because Lindsey Graham was there, it's no longer in my mind an undercard debate. At one point during that debate there was an attempt largely made by Rick Santorum to redefine a world religion, Islam. Tried to redefine a religion to suit his political purposes. And thank God for Lindsey Graham for stepping into the fray and saying what he said.
. . .MARK HALPERIN: Whatever happens with Lindsey Graham, he's now established himself as an American original, who campaigns with his head and his heart, which the party needs.
