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Those who fail to learn from history ...

August 23, 2009 1:50 pm ET by Jamison Foser

My latest column is about the bizarre tendency of much of the news media to be shocked by extraordinarily predictable political developments.  Here's an example I left out: Melinda Henneberger on MSNBC's Hardball last week:

"It's pretty amazing how quickly things have changed when only recently we thought this was going to be another really great year for the Democrats.  But I am just so astonished most of all that this health care debate has gotten away from Obama the way it has.  I mean, this should be his greatest moment.  This should be a no-brainer."

Really?  Henneberger is seriously surprised that fundamentally reforming the health care system turned out to be a struggle -- just as it has proven to be every previous time it was attempted, which is why it still needs reform?  

Which part of the process caught her off guard? That Republicans are kicking and screaming and lying and doing everything they can to stop reform -- just like they did last time?  Or that, just like they often are, many Democrats have been slow to realize that Republicans are not negotiating in good faith?    Or that insurance companies with deep pockets are fairly influential on Capitol Hill -- just like they always are?

Henneberger is "astonished" that the "no-brainer" that is health insurance reform didn't just magically happen while Washington held hands and bought Cokes for one another.  

The thing that's actually astonishing is that any reporter could be astonished by any of this.

Tags: MSNBC, Hardball, Melinda Henneberger

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    • Author by Vincenzo (August 23, 2009 1:55 pm ET)
      2  
      History?! It takes too much time. One would have to make an effort to research, read, understand, etc... Time that would be better devoted to make-up, pretty colors and booking guests who will cause a commotion and increase ratings.
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      • Author by steeve (August 23, 2009 11:22 pm ET)
        2  
        How much time does it take to extend a gloved hand, point imperiously at some lackey, and order them to find some history?

        The media sucks at the easiest job in the world. It's like being allowed to crib wikipedia in a writing assignment and getting an F anyway.
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    • Author by princeofwheels (August 23, 2009 2:17 pm ET)
      4  
      If it were such a no-brainer, I guess it was too sensible for the Republicans to pursue for the past eight(8) years.

      NO BRAINER, the official thought process of the Republican Party.
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    • Author by ReasonAndResolve (August 23, 2009 3:37 pm ET)
      5  
      To quote Sam Clemens: "The reports of my demise have been greatly exagerated"

      Let the punitocracy do what they do best: nothing of note. This battle begins when the House Bill hits the floor. Rahmbo will go to work when it is really time to go to work. The recess is for the powerless. and when HR 3200 passes to applause, the Senate will start to fall in line. (The Finance Committee "Gang of Six have already admitted they are irrelevant - and Republicans like Kyl have drawn their line in the sand.)

      If President Obama had flexed his muscles a month ago, the spineless would have had too much time to slither off to the easy exit. LBJ and FDR already showed the blueprint for victory, and BHO has studied the history.

      September will be a month for the history books.
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      • Author by princeofwheels (August 23, 2009 4:57 pm ET)
        2  
        I agree...the Birthers, the Deathers, the Screamers, the liars will all come together and forever be known as the Criers. Because there will be wailing and nashing of teeth. It'll be like a newborn nursery nine moths after a blackout.
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      • Author by kfraz43 (August 24, 2009 11:32 am ET)
        1  
        Absolutely, R&R - many of us have been holding our tongue through this summer, hoping that this was the strategy. Make enough effort to be able to say that you MADE the effort, then move on. I can't wait for the session to start!
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    • Author by teabaggers ♥ [wing]NUTS (August 24, 2009 2:45 am ET)
      1  
      this is why the far right and conservatives continue to assume that liberals consider obama "the messiah" (when they dont). its because people like ms. henneberger think that obama will fix ALL the problems very easily with no problems and no road blocks in his way... like hes superman or something. and then the obama-haters are like, "look, the messiah is doing a bad job". and they use his slightly falling approval numbers to try and prove it. look, we know its going to be difficult, but dont put so many high expectations right away. whats the rush? obama himself even said it was going to take a long time.

      some people dont understand passing healthcare is not a quick fix and easy job. just because there is majority in congress for the democrats doesnt mean it will all go through. obama still has to pass it with the american people, and when he tries to do some good and tell the truth, either his words or twisted or taken out of context, or the media just absolutely fabricate the facts and make up stuff on their own. its disgraceful how much misinformation is out there for something that is supposed to help the american people. but no, the idiots in this country watching fox news and listening to limbaugh are afraid of their freedoms being taken away and their lives being decided by death panels. give me a break.

      now people are complaining about cash for clunkers, too, when they dont even understand it. they claim the government cant manage it because they ran out of money. um, yeah, maybe because more people than expected wanted to turn in their clunkers and get better cars. maybe this is just the first time the government is doing the program and will put more money into it next time.

      will these people ever quit their complaining?
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      • Author by kfraz43 (August 24, 2009 11:33 am ET)
        1  
        Don't forget that many of the people who are complaining about it running out of money are the same ones complaining about gov't spending in general. You can't have it both ways...
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