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Is CNBC in cahoots with the Tea Party's health care protesters?

August 12, 2009 2:54 pm ET by Media Matters staff

This email sent out by national Tea Party coordinator seems to suggest that CNBC was shopping around looking for a GOP mini-mob to cover, and wanted the Tea Party's help in scouting out a location with "lots of anger." 

Question: Are CNBC producers also in contact with Democrats and progressives in planning the news channel's town hall coverage, or just the Tea Party?

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    • Author by cuardai (August 12, 2009 3:05 pm ET)
      1 1
      That is just pathetic if it is true...
      Report Abuse
    • Author by shaggles (August 12, 2009 3:10 pm ET)
        1
      Wow! That's huge. Is this verified?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by pointybongo9213 (August 12, 2009 3:13 pm ET)
        1
      Thom Hartmann mentioned it on his radio show this morning, I think.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by pilotshark (August 12, 2009 3:13 pm ET)
        1
      well it would not surprise me one least
      Report Abuse
    • Author by starkcr31 (August 12, 2009 3:21 pm ET)
      2 2
      Ok, try to think about why they would want to do that. An extreme left-wing news organization like CNBC would of course want the argriest mob possible because it makes the protesters look like maniacs. If they were in cahoots, they would want to cover the calmest, most laid back protesters.
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      • Author by ForTheLoveOfEllipsis... (August 12, 2009 3:57 pm ET)
        1  
        Yes, the network of Rick Santelli is "extreme left-wing." Of course, to starkravingcrazy the Log Cabin Republicans are "extreme left-wing"...
        Report Abuse
      • Author by LIBERTY OR DEATH (August 12, 2009 5:00 pm ET)
        1  
        Hey, put the logic crowbar away.
        Report Abuse
      • Author by shaggles (August 12, 2009 5:08 pm ET)
        1 1
        CNBC is an "extreme left-wing news organization?" You must be joking.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by starkcr31 (August 13, 2009 10:21 am ET)
             
          No, I'm quite serious.
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          • Author by shaggles (August 13, 2009 12:19 pm ET)
               
            It's a business news channel that routinely hammers Obama and the Dems for not continuing the laissez faire practices of the Bush administration. I can't think of any way they could be described as left-wing.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by harley (August 12, 2009 3:24 pm ET)
      1  

      It's the librul media at work, you betcha!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by Max Credits (August 12, 2009 3:25 pm ET)
      1  
      Hi Jenny Beth Martin!

      Per CNBC's request, we'll be jumping up and down outside at any and all Town Halls for the next few days. Please let us know if CNBC has a specific request for how high we should jump or how loud we should shout.

      Woof,
      Astro
      Report Abuse
    • Author by mk3872 (August 12, 2009 3:33 pm ET)
      1  
      That DARN LIBERAL MEDIA again!!
      Report Abuse
    • Author by mk3872 (August 12, 2009 3:36 pm ET)
      1  
      Of course they are in cahoots!

      Don't you all remember the well-timed Rick Santelli rant about Tea Parties on CNBC earlier this year????

      MMFA even reported on the coordinated efforts: MMFA story here...

      These were drummed-up and coordinated by FreedomWorks, Fox News & CNBC ...
      Report Abuse
      • Author by JHaggs (August 12, 2009 4:53 pm ET)
          1
        I agree w/ you. I was going to make the point that CNBC has been more pro-business recently, and hence, more right-wing. I noticed the slant they put on the health care reform bill, Kudlow's, Cramer's and other guest rhetoric, and the way they go at anyone on Obama's side of the issues. This doesn't surprise me at all, and thanks for posting the old Santelli story (wasn't aware of that).

        I will say Mark Haines might be the one left-wing exception remaining there.
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    • Author by Disputed Zone (August 12, 2009 3:36 pm ET)
      2  
      Can't be. I've been assured that GE is in bed with the left.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by starkcr31 (August 12, 2009 3:41 pm ET)
        1  
        They are. Think about why CNBC would want to cover an "angry" protest from the right-wingers. Do you honestly think it's the HELP the protesters or to make them look like kooks?
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        • Author by eweston8542983 (August 12, 2009 9:28 pm ET)
             
          Yah, that missive sure seems like a devious set up to...anybody suffering from Ideological Paranoia.
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        • Author by Disputed Zone (August 12, 2009 10:17 pm ET)
             
          If you're right, the stupid teabaggers fell for it. Angry kooks everywhere.
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          • Author by starkcr31 (August 13, 2009 3:29 pm ET)
            1  
            I didn't see you calling the people that protested the wars for 5 years kooks. Why do you call people protesting a failed health care bill kooks?
            Report Abuse

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