It appears that there is something not all liberal media members are willing to defend a Democratic administration from: using the Internal Revenue Service to intimidate political opponents.
So outraged by Friday's revelations was former NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Brokaw that on MSNBC's Morning Joe Monday, he called the tactic "outrageous," "unacceptable," and mocked, "Welcome to the second term, Mr. President" (video follows with transcript and commentary):
MIKA BRZEZINSKI, CO-HOST: And also, Tom Brokaw, on the IRS story. I'd like to get your take on what could be, if possible, the best possible spin on this, because I can't see one. This one, to me, is just kind of bad up and down.
Wow! Even Mika is offended by this. That'll tell you how serious it is. Cue Brokaw:
TOM BROKAW: There’s only one spin for the President to make, which is come out and say this is outrageous. It’s unacceptable in my administration, and I have asked the people who are responsible for this to be removed from their jobs, and we’re going to have a complete investigation and a thorough house cleaning if necessary of the IRS. I'm offended by it. This is not a political issue or a conservative or a liberal issue. It really is about trusting your government especially when it comes to one of the most sensitive parts…
BRZEZINSKI: And do you think that should have been done already?BROKAW: No, no, I think, well, I'm sure they had to take the weekend at least to find out who was culpable here and what the details are. But the President should have had a statement already about, we now, it’s prima facie that there in fact was a targeting of conservative groups that was admitted by the IRS. Once that came out, the President should have had a statement, it seems to me, right off the bat. But now it's time for action: statement, then action. Let's get this cleaned up and move on. It's welcome to the second term, Mr. President.
Welcome indeed.
