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February 27, 2008
The Debate
Okay, so just as we've witnessed this past decade, "fairness" doesn't mean attacking "both sides" if only one side has a problem or scandal. In other words, if the Republicans are self-destructing in a fit of lobbyist cash and KY, mentioning a non-sequitur Democrat who was caught with some cash in his fridge isn't "fairness", it's pandering to the Republicans and anyone with a pitchfork who's tilting at windmills about "liberal media bias".
When Tim Russert attacked Senator Obama on the Farrakhan endorsement, it was clearly motivated out of a self-conscious need for balance, based on the perception that MSNBC is in the bag for Obama. Yet that didn't make it fair -- it turned the debate into an awful, awful embarrassment.
Nevertheless, Senator Obama handled Russert -- as well as Senator Clinton's follow-up -- smartly. At least as smartly as he could considering the ridiculousness of it all. Say nothing of Russert circumspectly coupling the senator with Farrakhan -- something which hillbillies like Congressman Kingston might inaccurately repeat as the truth.
Or, as Josh Marshall wrote today:
As a Jew and perhaps more importantly simply as a sentient being I found it disgusting. It was a nationwide, televised, MSM version of one of those noxious Obama smear emails.
UPDATE: I watched the video again at TPM and noticed something striking. To me at least. At the very end, during Senator Obama's "reject and denounce" response... he looked and behaved like a president.
Posted By Bob Cesca | February 27, 2008 08:55 AM | DIGG ME!
Comments
I learned two new things Clinton is a victim of. SNL and being asked the first question too many times.
Posted by: YAZPJXKM ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.bobcesca.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 27, 2008 09:28 AM
My favorite part of the exchange was when Tim Russert started quoting Farrahkan's anti-Semitic crap; Obama immediately cut him off & reminded him that he had just denounced the guy. I think this guy can totally handle McCain.
Posted by: Tony at February 27, 2008 10:18 AM
She seemed very whiny and mean, like she couldn't believe she had to take this subordinate seriously and be treated like his equal.
Posted by: Nanotyrannus at February 27, 2008 12:03 PM
I thought the debate was disgusting in many ways, both towards Clinton and Obama. For full disclosure I am a Obama supporter. The Farrakhan statements to Obama were disgusting, so was the NAFTA (you better answer yes or no!) question to Clinton. However, I thought the "would you go back to Iraq if shit got bad again" question was awesome. That was a great question and Obama was the only who answered it properly.
Hillary came out swinging for the fence, but she was caught at the wall, so to speak. Obama looked and acted very presidential. I love his response to the "bomb Pakistan" comment by Clinton. I believe his response was a definite homerun!
Go get 'em Barack!
Posted by: KidDynamo0 at February 27, 2008 12:22 PM
Is it possible for an urban candidate NOT to be identified as the scary "Anti-White" candidate in the post "Culture War" Corporate media era?
No.
No, it isn't.
They will find a way to make sure that the Suburban voter can see you as "The Black Candidate" somehow...
Of course, if it WERE possible, then they'd make sure to tag the candidate as "not Black enough," or "HAfrican" or "Uncle Tom"...
But, gee... if you say the "Down" or "Claw"... That's sexist, and you might need to be taken down.
Posted by: urban-Lorax at February 27, 2008 11:15 PM
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/28/an_open_note_to_brian_williams/
It wasn't only Tim Russert ...Brian Williams also has splainin to do...
Posted by: midad at February 29, 2008 10:28 AM
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