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Why is the nation's foremost media critic silent on Lou Dobbs' birther conspiracy theories?

July 23, 2009 10:44 am ET by Jamison Foser

Could it be because they are both employed by CNN?

Lou Dobbs' leap onto the Birther bandwagon has been big news this week.  CNN reporters have debunked the conspiracy theory; MSNBC has covered it; Jon Stewart has mocked it; Chris Matthews has suggested the faux controversy is "not about documentation, but pigmentation."  CNN officials have even felt compelled to comment.

Everybody, it seems, has weighed in, denouncing Dobbs' walk on the wild side.

Everybody, that is, except the nation's most famous media critic.  The Washington Post's Howard Kurtz hasn't managed to criticize Dobbs.

He has certainly had the opportunity.  With a column in the print edition of the Post, and expanded online "Media Notes" column each day, a weekly "online discussion" on the Post's web site, a widely-read Twitter account, and a gig as a host and commentator for CNN, Howard Kurtz has more opportunity to weigh in on high-profile media stories than any other media critic in America.

Yet Kurtz has been all but silent.  Here is every single word Howard Kurtz has written about Dobb's Birtherism:

Lou Dobbs has also raised questions about Obama's birth certificate.

Kurtz couldn't even bring himself to note that Obama is, in fact, a US citizen, fully qualified for the office he holds -- much less actually criticize Lou Dobbs.

And that's it.  Not so much as a Tweet of criticism of Lou Dobbs.

That's an awfully big media story for the nation's most famous media critic to take a pass on.

It should be noted that Kurtz's dual role as media critic for the Washington Post and employee of CNN has raised conflict of interest concerns in the past.  The Post's Ombudsman had to address the issue recently after Kurtz defended CNN in an online discussion without disclosing his ties to the cable channel.

So, let's see: A Washington Post reporter has taken a pass on the biggest story in the beat he covers -- a story that just happens to reflect poorly on a company that the reporter draws a paycheck from on the side.  Sounds like something the nation's leading media critic should take a look at!  Oh... damn.

If Kurtz doesn't devote a column and/or this week's Reliable Sources broadcast to his CNN colleague Lou Dobbs' reckless birth certificate nuttiness, he should spend that time examining his own conflict of interest.

UPDATE: Here's another (somewhat amusing) example of Kurtz tripping over his dual roles at CNN and the Post.

Tags: The Washington Post, Howard Kurtz, CNN, Lou Dobbs

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    • Author by The_Cat (July 23, 2009 11:09 am ET)
      5  
      They say silence gives consent. Perhaps Kurtz is in some doubt, but is simply afraid to say so publicly. Don't worry, Mr. Kurtz. President Obama really is a legally born U.S. citizen. He can be President. A large majority of us voted for him, okay? You may alienate a few wackos, but that happens every day and is unavoidable. Live up to your professional obligations, sir, and point out the ridiculousness of this 'theory'.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by cmm (July 23, 2009 11:15 am ET)
         
      I don't think it even has much to do with conflict of interest -- Kurtz is just a hack. He wouldn't criticize fox for it either.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Major Tom (July 23, 2009 11:32 am ET)
         
      The Conservatives and Republicans are afraid that if they definitively come out and say Obama is, without question, a citizen, then they will lose the far right wing of the party. I think they know they will have to field questions from birthers for the next 6-12 months. Instead of the ire of these people being directed at "the media" or the left, they would be directing their anger at the right wing, and will choose to stay home in 2010. Not to mention if the birthers, and the tea party movement (I'm not convinced they are seperate groups, btw) will 3rd party shop, and completely divorce the self described "republicans" from the self described "conservatives." Effectively spliting the right into pieces...
      Report Abuse
      • Author by Don Hussein Fabuloso (July 23, 2009 1:24 pm ET)
        3  
        Yeah, don't you just hate clumsy attempts to change the subject?
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        • Author by Looking_4_Truth (July 23, 2009 2:07 pm ET)
             
          So, so sad. "Extreme" is the operative word.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by mybrotherskeeper (July 23, 2009 7:54 pm ET)
          1  
          In Cheney2012's dreams is health care reform collapsing. President Obama was once again impressive last night, in full command of the details and very effective in countering GOP fearmongering spin and fears about the costs. And even if The New York Times wont mention it, he even took on the insurance companies, citing their tendency to drop coverage of policy holders who become seriously ill.
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      • Author by worrierking (July 23, 2009 2:23 pm ET)
        2  
        Are you admitting that Hannity and Limbaugh are part of "the whacked-out extreme right" since both have been focused on this non issue for a long time now?
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      • Author by magnolialover (July 23, 2009 2:46 pm ET)
        2  
        Tanking SO badly that a majority of people in the country still want it.

        MMFA is focusing on this birth certificate foolishness, because that's what's being talked about in the media.

        We don't know if we're inept on health care yet, as nothing has been passed. We haven't changed anything yet. How about letting the laws get passed, and then you can tell us, you told us so, when it fails to do anything good? Of course, there is always a good chance, it will work just fine, and then I'm sure there will be crickets.

        As Worrier mentioned below, since Rush is talking about this, Hannity is talking about this, Dobbs is talking about this, and various other places, I guess your heroes are the whacked out right? Finally, you said something truthful.
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        • Author by Don Hussein Fabuloso (July 23, 2009 2:56 pm ET)
          2  
          What's really "comical" is that Cheney passed by several items about misinformation related to health care on the home page to come to this item and accuse MMFA of avoiding the health care issue.

          Looks like he's nutty enough to swallow the GOP line on health care, but not quite loony enough to be a birther. So MMFA should only focus on the propaganda that Cheney2012 believes, and ignore the propaganda that he's just barely sharp enough to reject.

          Comical.

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    • Author by mybrotherskeeper (July 23, 2009 7:57 pm ET)
         
      BTW, why is Howard Kurtz considered "the nation's foremost media critic?" By whom? Since when? He is certainly not that in my book, and never has been.
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      • Author by thebewilderness (July 23, 2009 11:02 pm ET)
           
        For the same reason CNN calls itself the most trusted name in news when polling clearly shows that the Daily Show with Jon Stewart is the most trusted name in news.
        Because they say so! Now clean your room!
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      • Author by MM_JF (July 24, 2009 11:08 am ET)
           
        My description of Kurtz is based on the fact that he has basically infinite space in the Washington Post (print & web) and hosts a television show on CNN. There is no higher-profile media critic in America than Howard Kurtz. That fact makes his failures all the more troubling.
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