I think Chuck Todd owes Arianna Huffington an apology
July 30, 2009 9:25 am ET by Eric Boehlert
On Wednesday, MSNBC's Todd attacked Glenn Beck for calling Obama a racist. Todd then used that incident as a jumping-off point to vent about what else was wrong with the press. In the process though, he seemed to take a gratuitously cheap shot at Huffington and her ground-breaking site, as well as compare it to the standard-less nonsense that seeps out of Fox News [emphasis added]:
It's getting nuts that the folks who are creating the perception of an ideological/polarized media world are people who have never really spent their lives being journalists. Whether it's former political consultants-turned-TV execs or former radio DJs, or former California socialites, the folks helping to accelerate the public's perception of the media off a cliff made their livings trying to do other things.
To me, the first and third references are clearly to Roger Ailes and Arianna Huffington. (Politico agreed.) In the eyes of Beltway insider Todd, they're both equally responsible for tarnishing the good work of journalists. Really? The Huffington Post is driving the public perception of the media off the cliff? How? In what way? I suspect there are millions of HP readers who would say the opposite; that the site has restored their faith in journalism and what can be accomplished when outsiders are empowered.
To me, it seems Todd is practicing the age-old Beltway game of blaming the right and left even though the left is pretty much blameless. I mean, why would Todd drag Huffington into a discussion about the rancid behavior of Fox News' Glenn Beck? There's zero connection. But it seems Todd wasn't comfortable simply writing a post that knocked Fox News (liberal bias!!), so he threw in a reference to Huffington in order to cover his butt.
Meanwhile, did Todd really suggest Huffington wasn't a journalist? She's a big girl and can defend herself, but honestly, just look at her resume. Prior to launching HP, she was an award-winning author/biographer and worked as a nationally syndicated columnist.
Bottom line: The next time somebody on Fox News says something offensive and idiotic and hateful, Todd ought to just say so, and not play the I-blame-both-side game.
The problem with Huffington Post isn't so much that they intentionally lie, it's that they appear to have no editorial policy.
The provide the liberal point of view, and only the liberal point of view. It the place when any Hollywood actor/actress can rant and rave all they like. If you like it...fine, but true journalism it is not.
Whether that is exclusion by choice or because conservatives do not want to post there, I am not sure. Maybe it is the same as The Rachel Maddow Show -- she is always inviting conservatives on her program but they are afraid to go on there. Facts might be presented and they can not lie without being called on it.
...And Fox News IS?
...And Rush Limbaugh IS?
...And let's not even mention any of the dozens of RW websites that purport to be either news-sites or media-critic sites all of which are MORE biased, allow LESS opposition opinion and (as MMFA regularly poitns out) play far more fast and loose with the facts than HuffPo does.
And if you want to know, I'm not really even that big a fan of HuffPo. I read is occasionally, and post even less occasionaly. It's not bad, but there's a little too much celebirty fluff for my liking. I prefer the intellectual buffet that is The American Prospectand, of course MMFA, but that's just me.
You're still WAAAAY wrong about HuffPo.
Hey, Chuck -- we know you wake up early every day and you put in long hours. But you don't get a medal for that, you get a paycheck.
Just do your job and let the work speak for itself.
Obama is spending the money on the 50 million uninsured Americans.
BUSH AND THE BLUE DOGS GAVE TAX CUTS TO THE RICH DURING WARTIME.
Why is the media not reporting that?
Chuck Todd: "But I think the political reality in this, and, I understand where you're coming from, you're just saying, just because something's politically tough doesn't mean we shouldn't do it. That's, I don't disagree with you from 30,000 feet. And that is an idealistic view of this thing."
http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/radio/2009/07/16/todd/index1.html
MM airs videos and posts transcripts and is labeled a hatefilled site by the O'Reilly and Hannity, et al at fox. HOW does a video or transcript equal hate or bashing, when they are your 'own' words?