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George Stephanopoulos's "threshold of crediblity," then and now

August 03, 2009 11:24 am ET by Jamison Foser

George Stephanopoulos as a guest on ABC's This Week in 1996:

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Well, I think that someone has to- should have to pass a bare threshold of credibility before they're put on the air to millions of viewers. You know, his story couldn't get past the fact checker at The National Enquirer, so I think before ABC News puts him on, then there should be some questions asked.

George Stephanopoulos as host of ABC's This Week yesterday:

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: With that, we bring in ... Michelle Malkin, syndicated columnist, also the author of the new book Culture of Corruption.

Yes, this Michelle Malkin. (And this one.)

Unsurprisingly, Malkin made things up.

Tags: This Week, ABC, Michelle Malkin, George Stephanopoulos

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- by Leftym0m79 (August 03, 2009 11:32 am ET)
  1
  
  But when it is for your ratings, having credibility doesn't matter.
  
  Reply Report Abuse
  - by NiceguyEddie (August 03, 2009 11:39 am ET)
    
    That's what depresses me the most - that having people on who HAVE no credability will actually BOOST your ratings. Or that these people can carry their own shows!
    
    Reply Report Abuse
    - by dmhack (August 03, 2009 12:37 pm ET)
      
      I made a point of not watching when I heard the drooling twit was a guest. I'd like to think that plenty of people had the same reaction.
      
      Reply Report Abuse
    - by bilbo_dies (August 03, 2009 2:09 pm ET)
      
      That's what depresses me the most - that having people on who HAVE no credability will actually BOOST your ratings. Or that these people can carry their own shows!
      
      Yup, it is a variation on the car wreck analogy. When you drive by a wreck, you just have to look.
      This is the same thing, people tune in to see just how crazy people will be. Of course, there are also the crazies, who actually believe this crap.
      
      Reply Report Abuse
      - by NiceguyEddie (August 03, 2009 2:11 pm ET)
        
        Hence the boosted rating: RW'er will tune in to watch her kisk @$$, Lib's will tune in HOPING that George Step will put her in her place, only to be severely disappointed by his lap-dog impression instead.
        
        Reply Report Abuse
- by Bad News (August 03, 2009 11:35 am ET)
  
  Michelle Malkin has been called a Political Prostitute i've heard "Some People Say"
  I don't know if this is true or not, it could be her enemies trying to make Political Hay.
  How she Serviced Bill O'Reilly is really none of my Concern.
  Perhaps this is a "Teaching Moment" & other Ladies of the Evening should Watch, Listen & Learn.
  
  Speak truth to power.
  
  Mr. News
  
  Reply Report Abuse
- by NG_Officer (August 03, 2009 11:38 am ET)
  
  Ha...i beat mr news to the first post on this thread, now what to say...
  
  Reply Report Abuse
  - by NG_Officer (August 03, 2009 11:38 am ET)
    
    in the time it took em to write it, the inevitable happened...
    
    Reply Report Abuse
- by epkklk851 (August 03, 2009 11:45 am ET)
  
  Well, I wouldn't want to have her on my show. I guess the book sales are the drawing point. Is she going to be a regular or is this a one time deal? Allowing someone a platform, so they can put out their crackpot theories isn't always that bad. She is so snotty, she just might turn more people off than turn them on. Give her enough rope to hang herself, in other words.
  
  Reply Report Abuse
- by mk3872 (August 03, 2009 11:46 am ET)
  
  I guess this means that she is the key spokesperson now for the right-wing lunatic fringe??
  
  Reply Report Abuse
- by pros2pros2940 (August 03, 2009 11:47 am ET)
  
  Yep..........media is broken in this country at a time when we need intelligent, thoughful debate due to the critical issues we face.
  
  Then again the corporate masters would rather not.
  
  Reply Report Abuse
- by epkklk851 (August 03, 2009 1:01 pm ET)
  
  Okay, I just took the time to watch the roundtable on This Week. It was really a hoot! Michelle is so shilling for her book it is embarassing! Another thing, they either take her to task for her views (gently, quietly) or they blow her off! I am beginning to think it was great for her to be there. She comes of as tired, bedraggled, mean spirited, and a light weight! Couldn't happen to a nicer rat.
  
  Reply Report Abuse

County Fair is a media blog featuring links to progressive media criticism from around the Web as well as original commentary, breaking news and rapid response updates to major media events from Media Matters senior fellows and other staff.

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