MSNBC Loses It
As I have been watching the campaign coverage, I have tried to get a variety of viewpoints by switching between CNN, Fox, MSNBC and the other major networks. I’ve come to expect Fox to be conservative, CNN to be somewhat mixed and MSNBC to be liberal.
Because I like Chris Matthews and think that the speed and quality of MSNBC coverage is a tad better than the others, I have leaned to their reviews of the speeches. Despite his liberalism, Matthews has been fairly-balanced in his look at the convention so far and, while Keith Olbermann is practically on the Obama payroll, he has tried the last day or so to be somewhat careful in his comments.
But tonight they went WAY over the edge.
Yes, Senator Obama delivered a good speech. Yes, it was inspiring and the historic nature of the event is worth praise and reflection.
But to listen to the commentary from everyone on MSNBC, you would think he had raised the dead, personally solved every problem known to man and then levitated himself over the stadium. Olbermann came close to having an on-the-air orgasm over the address.
The other networks (CNN, Fox, ABC, CBS) were fulsome in their praise of the address but were also willing to comment on the potential problems he might face and the places where the speech might not have succeeded. Not only did MSNBC not do this, but they actually had Keith on the air trashing anyone who dared to criticize the address.
I am not suggesting that anyone was wrong to praise Obama. His address was spectacularly-delivered and deserved many positive comments. But there were also flaws and for MSNBC to take such a one sided attitude only serves to support those who accuse them of such biases.
12 Responses to “MSNBC Loses It”
They cheerlead. I watch them for cheerleading.
When even Bill Kristol says Obama gave a great speech, it is OK for Obermann to come “close to having an on the air orgasm over the address.”
Well Elrod I will give you credit for admitting MSNBC is biased.
As to Olbermann having a nice reaction to the speech, I think I made it clear that I have no problem at all with people being positive about it.
But to take the MSNBC line that ANY negative comment about it is verbotten is a bit much to me.
Yeah they did go over the top at points. I did like the bit of analysis from Brokaw and Todd about the McCain response to Obama's speech. It was weak and rambling, like something a low-level intern would write before the speech was even given. Todd nailed it I think when he said that McCain simply didn't know how to respond initially. I'm sure they'll figure it out by tomorrow as the attention shifts to the Rs.
CNN may have been more fair, but I thought their self-back-patting at the end of their coverage was puke worthy.
I agree MSNBC is definitely biased– especially Olbermann, Matthews
and Maddow. I think they've become more so — as the liberals answer to Fox.
The conservatives they have — Buchanan and Scarborough seem to like Obama.
Keith Obermann traded in his journalistic integrity a long timne back on the campaign trail, why would anyone expect him to get it back at the DNC convention. Olbermann has become the very thing he used to (and rightly so) criticize Bill O'Reilly of. I think he needs to change his name to Keith O'Reillymann.
Patrick… Having read you two plus articles a day / everyday for quite some time it's obvious why you didn't watch PBS or CSPAN… You're a right wing pundit and that is what you do… it's your job.
If you really wanted to see what went on tonight why the hell would anyone watch it on a CABLE NEWS channel?.. ANY Cable News channel!
Actually I watch C Span all the time. That is where I watch all of the speeches.
But I flip to the various cable channels to see what the talking heads say.
i wish that faux news was more objective. but it never will be.
but that still doesn't make me willing to watch msnbc become the faux news of the left.
what we want is a news media that does its job thoroughly and objectively, not a left bias to balance out the right bias.
I have family members who marched with MLK Jr. at Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. And THEY didn't freak out like MSNBC did. WOW! It was embarrassing and to quote one of my uncles about MSNBC:
Don't make the brother Obama seem like a god! ENOUGH!!
Let's see what happens when the Republicans start their convention. Wanna bet that Faux News and OlberMNBC reverse roles?