Olbermann named Limbaugh "Worst Person"; Morgan received "runner-up"
On the January 25 edition of MSNBC's Countdown, host Keith Olbermann named nationally syndicated radio host Rush Limbaugh the "winner" of his nightly "Worst Person in the World" segment for, as Media Matters for America noted, "reading a made-up quote from [Sen. Barack] Obama [D-IL] supposedly responding to an endorsement from actress Halle Berry." Olbermann observed: "[Limbaugh] later admitted it was made up, but Fatso still said, 'As a Halfrican-American I am honored to have Ms. Berry's support as well as the support of other Halfrican-Americans.' "
Additionally, Olbermann awarded syndicated radio host Melanie Morgan "runner-up" for "repeating the story The Washington Times made up about Senator Obama going to a Muslim training school and attributing the smear not just to Senator [Hillary Rodham] Clinton [D-NY], which also is a smear, but now to Senator [John] Edwards [D-NC] as well," as Media Matters documented. InsightMag.com -- which describes itself as a "sister publication" to The Washington Times -- originally posted an article alleging that "researchers connected to" Clinton had said that Obama "spent at least four years in a so-called Madrassa, or Muslim seminary, in Indonesia." Conservative media figures repeated the smear, even though the story has been debunked by CNN.
From the January 25 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: The runner-up, speaking of bad radio, Melanie Morgan of the irrational right and KSFO in San Francisco. Back on there, repeating the story The Washington Times made up about Senator Obama going to a Muslim training school and attributing the smear not just to Senator Clinton, which also is a smear, but now to Senator Edwards as well. Three, three, three smears in one. For the damage she inflicts on her easily led listeners, Melanie Morgan might as well work for Al Qaeda.
But our winner, comedian Rush Limbaugh. He read a made-up quote from Obama supposedly responding to an endorsement form actress Halle Berry. He later admitted it was made up, but Fatso still said, "As a Halfrican-American, I am honored to have Ms. Berry's support as well as the support of other Halfrican-Americans." Not the first time Limbaugh's used the Halfrican insult. Listen, Rush, cut to the chase here. You want to call Senator Obama a mulatto or an octoroon or something. Go for it. Hell, you want to call him the n-word. It's in your heart. Go ahead, come out from under your hood and just say it.
Comedian Rush Limbaugh, today's "Worst Person in the World."
Has the Swiftboating of democratic candidates for President already started? It appears so. Because as Karl Rove once said, if you have to deny it, you've already lost the battle. I think that old Rove might have a point in that one, as in, you've got to spend more time refuting bogus stories (ala John Kerry Swiftboat attacks) than you do actually talking about important things.
Except that IIRC Kerry and his people spent almost no time addressing the Swift Boat attacks when they first surfaced. It was a common theme in Left Blogistan in late 2004 that this was a serious error that just allowed the smear campaign to grow out of hand, and that the right thing would have been to rebut it forcefully right from the beginning.
I for one am glad to see Obama strike back at this fast and hard.
It's easy to confront that Rovian tactic; all you have to do is turn your denial into an attack of the liars.
When you're smeared, come back 15 minutes later and demand to know why your opponents weren't aware of obvious facts w, x, y, and z, what that says about their character, what it says about how they treat the voters, and what it says about the strength of their own positions that they feel the need to make stuff up. Say it loudly, violently, and often.
They'll come back with nothing but a complaint of your tone. Attack them for their tone and their habit for considering manners more important than truth.
It's so easy to win with the facts. You just have to stop taking the advice of the media and top democratic strategists, and become angry.
... as Karl Rove once said, if you have to deny it, you've already lost the battle.
Mark Twain said it too: "A lie can get half-way-round the world while the Truth is still putting on its pants." (Or shoes, I've heard it both ways.)
The point is, Mark was pointing it out as social criticism, Rove as a campaign tactic. Major ethical difference there.
Looking forward to seeing Rove cross-examined by Fitzgerald.
Keith has it right, Limbaugh wants to say the N-word about Obama because the crowd that listens to him wants to hear it shouted publicly. MM clearly shows this disinformation ...(humor) to the right wing ... and this is only the start of the presidential season.
You're right. Limbaugh is a racist, but he keeps it just under the surface, so that he can't be nailed for it. It's definitely there, however, and anyone who denies it is only kidding themselves.
most indivs. whose middle name is HUSSEIN are Moslems.
Try Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti. One needs to simply change one's middle name if it causes confusion. It's a simple, legal matter.
Tell Sean Hannity to change his first name. After all a lot of the members of the IRA were name Sean. Now I'm confused is Sean Hannity really a wing nut talk show host or a member of the IRA. You people are so silly. The man was named after his Dad as so many first sons are, but he should change his name because you people hate people name Hussein.
Why should he. Its his name. Did you know there has been a Chrisitan community in Iraq for well over a thousand years? He doesnt have to change his name to satisfy bigots.
One needs to simply change one's middle name if it causes confusion. It's a simple, legal matter.- sector_four5040
Good idea, sector four.While we're at it, let's whittle the English language down to 30 or 40 words,make only primary colors legal, and put Fox Nooz and 700 club on every channel, just to avoid confusing you.
Would that be dumbing it down enough? Let us know.
Okay, which one of you guys is Oberman?
Apparently he peruses MMFA in order to come up with his "worst person" award.
:-)
American, Keith does not need MMFA, when Bill, Sean and Beck speak each day they can draw straws for STUPIDY!.
My last name, er, I mean, HIS last name is spelled OLBERMANN!
This was the warning shot across the bow. Obama's team knew about this days before it went national.
He should have been prepped and ready to respond, but instead waited.
They better be ready next time.
Side note ... Olberman got the La Ley story wrong. The radio station couldn't give the car prize to the illegal immigrant because they were required by law to get a social security number from her (for tax purposes, I presume), and of course she didn't have one. Olbeman failed to mention this crucial point, he simply criticized La Ley for reporting the woman to the INS ... which they should have done. I think it would have been far worse if this radio station, which caters to the Chicago HIspanic comunity, had protected "their own".
Well Steeve-is that a mis-print?-the Left did get angry awhile ago-for about 2 minutes-and were immediately labeled "Angry Liberals".Liberal "anger"is apparently bereft of logic or substance and is,to hear the right-wing framers frame it,a phenomenon based in pure irrational emotion.The media,having been almost entirely brow beaten into submission are given a right-wing story line to parrot,and being the good little pundits they are,they follow it to a "T".
Liberal anger upsets the media, but not the voters. The media will shaft liberals whether they're angry or polite.
When the media parrots right-wing talking points, attack the offending media members by name the same way you would attack right wingers.
Get into a loud, public pissing match. Everyone will see it, and the side without the facts will run out of things to say.
Olbermann, pathetic.
This is so typical. Limbaugh, who supports black candidates, judges, politicians, and hires black people on his staff is called a member of the KKK. I guess this fits the liberal model that all Conservatives are Racists, sexists, bigots, homophobes. Limbaugh is an entertainer who actually has more black listeners than Olbermann. People need to laugh a little, maybe they would have as many supporters him too.
I can't wait for the typical high-brow liberal responses that the black people he supports are just "lap dogs."
Some conservatives are racist, sexists, and bigots; and Rush is among them. And the lap dog comment is BS. I've seen Rush's kind of African Americans, there the ones Fox pulls out of the woodwork to give commentary about how oppressed the White male is. I wouldn't work for a scumbag like Rush for all the money in the world. I have too much self respect to do that.
PS,
I miss-read your lap dog comment, but I certainly wonder what kind of self respecting Black person would work for the likes of Rush or a Michael Savage. As I said I wouldn't want to be anywhere near them. They are indeed bigots and they turn my stomach.
If I worked for Rush Limbaugh I will probably put a rope around his drug-addict neck. I guess Rush and his ignorant cronies don't realize that Blacks in america are mixed and are not 100% African.
OK you asked for it.
Rush support, hires and by your account LOVES BLACK PEOPLE. If Rush loves BLACK PEOPLE SO MUCH, why would he call UNITED STATES SENATOR OBAMA, "HALFAFRICAN".
Let me help you, Doren1626, BECAUSE RUSH ONLY CARES ABOUT THE BLACK PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT HIS IDEAS!. Let me give you names of those people, RICE, WARD CONNELLY and THOMAS. He probably supported Powell until he decided to TELL THE TRUTH. Rush is a BIG FAT BIGOT who cares more about viewers and money an less about integrity.
He has taken a page from Bush in his love of BLACK PEOPLE. Talk the talk while there are cameras.
You see Doren12626, when people like RUSH, BILL, SEAN and THE PRESIDENT start telling me how much they love black people I wait for the punch line. I'm not STUPID. IF YOUR LOVE AND RESPECT PEOPLE (BLACK) THEN THE FIRST THIING YOU WILL DO IS GIVE THE SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS, SENATOR OBAMA RESPECT, NOT CALL HIM HALFAFRICAN.
By the way Doren1626, I'm a 72 year old BLACK WOMAN who has lived long enough to recognized RUSH'S type
Amen!!!! Well Put
Limbaugh.. hires black people on his staff .- ldoren1626
Upstairs or downstairs?
Limbaugh is an entertainer who actually has more black listeners than Olbermann.- ldoren1626
I won't argue the "entertainer" part, that's subjective, but where is the black listener number from?
People need to laugh a little, maybe they would have as many supporters him too.- ldoren1626
I'd rather laugh a lot. And not at some fat old doper making fun of imaginary enemies.
LDoren, you're getting even more unhinged
This is so typical.
Excuse me, but a lot of us have been here longer than you have, and are thus better judges as to what is "typical" here.
Limbaugh, who supports black candidates, judges, politicians, and hires black people on his staff is called a member of the KKK.
Who called him this? This is a flat-out lie, and you know it. If you apologize for it, you might earn yourself a little credibility around here.
I guess this fits the liberal model that all Conservatives are Racists, sexists, bigots, homophobes.
And what liberal feels that "all" conservatives are like this? This is truly libelous. By all means, feel free to name one liberal that has said or written anything like it. And then quote him, in context.
Limbaugh is an entertainer who actually has more black listeners than Olbermann.
"Entertainer" is debateable. "More black listeners than Olbermann" is pure speculation. You have no way of verifying that.
People need to laugh a little, maybe they would have as many supporters him too.
What is that supposed to mean? Who's the "they"? What does "supporters him too" mean? Your English has apparently gone the way of your logic.
I can't wait for the typical high-brow liberal responses that the black people he supports are just "lap dogs."
Frankly, it doesn't take "high-brow" to show your 'arguments' to be utterly worthless.
Once again, The Rushs', the Seans' etc.etc. are only driving the self-respecting Republicans closer to the middle and most assuredly toward the left. They cannot, as decent human beings, continue to listen to this tripe from these MILLIONAIRES who do their sideshow preaching over the airwaves.
These radio people helped the Dems in November and they will do it again in next years' elections. All I will ever do is thank these BABY GENIUSES for help put this country back on track.
I predict that many Republican candidates will show some balls and begin exposing these crack-pots for what they truly are---Circus Acts. Karl Rove is a has-been and his antics are getting transparent. He will be leaving the Bush camp soon because he knows that his final years will be behind bars if he doesn't escape now. Bye Karl, Mr. Gannon awaits you.
Keith Olbermann continues to be the ONLY bright light at the end of the tunnel known as the mainstream media which is now totally in support of the right wing agenda.
I wouldn't speculate as whether or not Rusho is a racist, but Halfrican-American is definitely meant as a slur. No doubt he wants to stir the passions of the mouth breathers who make up his loyal listeners.
Rush Limbaugh....
Halfass-American.
Ummmm....I think Rush still has a quite a full ass....
If Blowberman had half of the audience Rush has, maybe he could be taken seriously! Keith is a waste of air space and should shut up! He is as predictable as Michael Savage on what crap comes out of his mouth! He is no journalist, he is a socialist and terrorist supporter ( he is a liberal). I declare him tied for "Worst Person" in the media with Krissy Mathews ( today's American female men without balls!)
(sigh) I guess it's my turn.
Hello JTH1960,
McDonalds sells millions of burgers.
Britney Spears sells a lot of cds
Adolph Hitler got a pretty solid group to go along with his deal.
Popularity is NOT a good arguing point as to quality or validity.
Before the conservative takeover of the media, there were real American commentators, like this one;
"No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." H.L. Mencken (1880-1956)"
Practice responding to posts or items with something related to that item, not the fact that a lot of stoopid people listen to the same radio show as you.
I don't know where you're picking up these female men w/o balls, but I don't think it's relevant, gentlemanly nor appropriate to "kiss and tell" about them here here.
Now get some sleep,and good luck on your next post.
first of all, the difference between savage and olberman is an important one: olberman uses facts in his reporting.
secondly, olberman, predictably informs his viewers, revealing inconsistencies in statements by the pres., et al, using the public record.
unlike the real star of this thread, limbaugh and fellow hatemonger savage. these guys operate by trying to inflame the audience through attempting to discredit those of different views by focusing on small, irrelevant details, sidestepping thoughtful discussion altogether.
If by facts you mean he calls Limbaugh a Fatass I suppose you have a point.
Olbermann rarely uses facts. Mostly what he uses is smears and political hack jobs.
From wikipedia:
The Keith Olbermann 24 controversy concerns a January 2007 incident which in political commentator Keith Olbermann criticized the popular FOX television series 24.
On the January 16, 2007 edition of Olbermann's show, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, he accused the widely acclaimed 24 of "fearmongering" and being "propaganda designed to keep people thinking about domestic terrorism to keep us scared". He suggested the show might actually has a political agenda to aid the Republican Party, rhetorically asking, "is it a program-length commercial for one political party?" Olbermann even suggested in a subtle manner that the show should be taken off the air with the rhetorical question, "if the irrational right can claim that the news is fixed to try to alter people's minds or that networks should be boycotted for nudity or for immorality, shouldn't those same groups be saying 24 should be taken off of TV because it's naked brainwashing?"
All of this was in response to the January 15 broadcast of 24 in which a low-grade nuclear weapon is detonated in the Valencia community of Los Angeles by a terrorist group.
Interestingly, Olbermann never criticized other apocalyptic scenarios depicted in fiction such as that featured in the CBS television series Jericho, nor has he voiced concerns over the neutrality of other politically oriented shows like the liberal The West Wing and Commander in Chief.
That you cite Wikipedia speaks to your sense of reliable information... Olberman is a liberal; he makes no claim to be "fair and balanced." There are plenty of conservatives on cable to attack shows with liberal perspectives. Other than Stewart and Colbert on Comedy Central, Keith is the only liberal with his own show on cable with commentator; but I guess your idea of balance doesn't apply to conservatives. As for facts, I didn't see Keith's 24 story, but for the most part he does present facts along with his opinions, which is more than I can say for Hannity, Rush and their friends in the anti-fact cabal.
Sorry-- I meant Olbermann with two n's.
Actually Leather, facts are very important.
Like the fact that your little "quote" forgot one fact, actually the main fact that this season of 24 is being attacked.
The fact that once again the terrorists featured are muslim. Members of the muslim american community are especially upset and as one of the members recently said on tv, "I'm especially angery that the creators of this show were not intelligent enough to come up with a original storyline. Instead they ran out of ideas and decided to blame the muslims again." (I paraphrased a little, I don't have the entire interview in front of me.)
Maybe you should understand that when Keith is attacking 24, he is not alone.
Also if the only evidence against someone in public life is a "controversy" from this year (now into its fourth week), Keith must be really good. I can pull up at least 5-6 years worth of negative stuff regarding Mr. Weiner, Rush me to Rehab, etc.
El Rushbo does get so full of himself when he comes up with something "witty", like "Halfrican American" or "Feminazi".