Olbermann named Hannity, Wash. Post's Ignatius in "Worst Person" segments
On December 10, MSNBC's Keith Olbermann awarded Washington Post columnist David Ignatius the "bronze" in his "Worst Person in the World" segment for asserting that "there's still a nagging uneasiness about having these two complicated Clintons back together at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave." Polling does not support Ignatius' assertion. On December 11, Olbermann named Sean Hannity the "runner-up" "Worst Person" for asserting that Rep. John P. Murtha had "gone to the other side" after his recent assessment of President Bush's troop-increase strategy in Iraq.
During the December 10 edition of MSNBC's Countdown, host Keith Olbermann awarded Washington Post columnist David Ignatius the "bronze" in his nightly "Worst Person in the World" segment for, as Media Matters for America documented, asserting in his December 9 column that "voters are grappling with the unusual questions that would surround [Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-NY)] presidency. And the most important of these is the 'two presidents' problem. ... [T]here's still a nagging uneasiness about having these two complicated Clintons back together at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave."
As Olbermann noted, and as Media Matters for America detailed (here and here), polling does not support Ignatius' assertion that "the country" is afflicted with "a nagging uneasiness about having these two complicated Clintons back" in the White House. In fact, a September 27-30 Washington Post/ABC News poll found that 60 percent of respondents said they "personally feel comfortable ... with the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House."
In addition, during the December 11 edition of Countdown, Olbermann awarded Fox News host Sean Hannity the "runner-up" during the "Worst Person" segment for his recent statements regarding Rep. John P. Murtha's (D-PA) assessment of President Bush's troop-increase strategy in Iraq. As Media Matters noted, on the December 9 edition of Fox News' Hannity's America, Hannity claimed Murtha "is starting to see the light" and asserted that "Democrats are going to have an even harder time trying to win the White House on a blame-Bush and the Republicans platform now that their loudest critic has gone to the other side." However, Murtha's comments did not indicate that he had changed his position and "gone to the other side." As Media Matters noted (here and here), during his November 29 press conference, Murtha said: "I think the surge is working, I think -- but that's only one element. ...There's no question in my mind that if you put more forces in ... it's going to work out. But the thing that has to happen, the Iraqis have to do this themselves." Moreover, in a November 30 statement, Murtha made clear that he continues to support redeploying U.S. troops from Iraq:
The military surge has created a window of opportunity for the Iraqi Government. Unfortunately, the sacrifice of our troops has not been met by the Iraqi Government and they have failed to capitalize on the political and diplomatic steps that the surge was designed to provide.
The fact remains that the war in Iraq cannot be won militarily, and that we must begin an orderly redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq as soon as practicable.
The House of Representatives has passed a $50 billion funding bill that provides the President, our troops, and our nation with a responsible plan for bringing our troops home. The President should heed the advice of the American people and allow this funding bill to become law.
As Media Matters has documented, Hannity is frequently named during Olbermann's "Worst Person" segment.
From the December 10 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: But time first for Countdown's Worst Persons in the World. The bronze is David Ignatius of The Washington Post. "Voters are still grappling," he writes, with their, quote, "nagging uneasiness about having these two complicated Clintons back together at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
The Washington Post's own poll in September found that 60 percent of voters of all parties personally feel comfortable with the idea of Bill Clinton in the White House. I'm still grappling with columnists using terms like "voters are still grappling" and thus leaving the impression that it's many voters when it might be, like, eight of them.
From the December 11 edition of MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann:
OLBERMANN: Our runner-up, Sean Hannity -- of "Fixed Noise," misquoting Congressman Jack Murtha, who said the surge had worked militarily, but failed politically and immediate withdrawals were still a necessity. Hannity said, quote, "Democrats' loudest critic has gone to the other side."
Is it just too much work to bother to read all 40 words Murtha said last month? Does it make your little brain hurt that much if you don't stop after the first four and go lie down? Or are you just transparently dishonest?
It is not just David Ignatius but also so called progressive websites, like Huffingtonpost.com, that are playing similar role in the anti-Hillary zealotry. It is no secret that Ariana Huffington, the founder of the Huffintonpost.com, has a personal animosity towards Clinton which is displayed in daily dose of anti-Hillary blogs and headlines, no matter how inane and stupid. What is worse that the huffingtonpost.com does not accepts that critical of the blogs. In that respect, these website have become the swift-boaters that simply go on attack for the sake of attaching and without much foundation. Websites like the Huffingtonpost.com are perhaps the progressive equivalent of propaganda by the conservatives and are no better.
I dislike many of Hillary's stances, though no more than I dislike most of the other candidates, but I agree that the smears against her are pathetic, whatever side they come from. Don't you know that Hiilary is calculating, wants power, cackles, wears pant suits/low cut blouses, was married to Bill, and walks on two legs? Oh, and she is devisive--because the right (mostly the right in this case) has attacked her and her husband for years, and that is why we shouldn't vote for her.
HANNITY: "Democrats' loudest critic has gone to the other side."
Sure, Sean, I'm certain you heard Jack Murtha correctly. The surge has been successful in all accounts. That's why Iraq is now a stable Democracy and all of our troops are presently en route home. Democrats no longer have to be critics since America won the Iraq war. Hate to admit you guys were right all along. Let freedom ring, Sean.
Now, back to reality...
Are you two in an irony contest?
I blame Keith for all of this.;-)
Hey, Jack Murtha was just stating the obvious. The surge has been so successful that the National Football League is even planning to hold a regular season game in Baghdad next year.
The Republicans should hold their convention there, since they're so sure everything is going well.
If could be sure my money would fund that convention, in that place, I'd contribute to the Republican Party.
"...The bronze is David Ignatius of The Washington Post. 'Voters are still grappling,' he writes, with their, quote, 'nagging uneasiness about having these two complicated Clintons back together at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.'"
This is a classic "straw man" argument. Since there are not a whole lot of persons out there who are nagged with uneasiness about having the Janus-headed Duo of Bill and Billary in the White House, David Ignoramus invents some for the sake of selling his argument. Any high school debater can see through the ploy.
Perhaps it was just an omission on his part ... he neglected to say that it's Republican voters who are grappling with the uneasiness. >:-)
Media Circus Clown Sean should have been honored with the top award for Worst Person in the World. This title fits him like a tee. But runner-up is better than nothing. I'm sure he can place the award somewhere in his messy office.
We still can't figure out what Bossman Ailes sees in this college-drop out news hack. He's not that smart.
You're dead on with that point. Have you ever heard his radio show? It's basically: 1) Ask a loaded/gotcha/strawman question. 2) Scream "YES OR NO?! YES OR NO?! ANSWER THE QUESTION!!" over and over, regardless of what the guest says. He's a idiot.
How about this title?:
"Loudest Man in America"
In fact, a September 27-30 Washington Post/ABC News poll found that 60 percent of respondents said they "personally feel comfortable ... with the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House."
Got a more recent Poll? I mean it is DECEMBER 13th.
Hillary has had a few stumbles since that Poll cited by MMFA & Bill hasn't exactly been a particularly great spokesperson/savior lately. In fact his help/interference hasn't always pleased Hillary's staff...
I'd be interested to see IF some folks might have changed their mind about Hill&Bill in the Whitehouse.
I mean just to be fair....
Nothing to say about Hannity... other than he's an idiot.
Howdy, Jeter- are you saying that "...Voters are still grappling..." (voters meaning mostly those who have been obsessed with hating the Clintons for 15 years or more) with their long standing uneasiness that has only happened over the past couple of months?
Actually Beach I was thinking more of those folks that might have been sitting on the fence, or those that were thinking back in September that it might be a warm & fuzzy thing to have Bill Clinton back...even if they weren't that fond of Hillary.
And I'm thinking about how much public opinion can change in 3 mos.
Maybe those folks that thought a Bill & Hill return to Pennsylvania Ave was a good thing have changed their minds after watching her stumble & attack. And listening to her crew & Bill whining.
Could be they are re-thinking what a Bill & Hill duo might mean.
Why are you so amazed that I'd like to see a more recent Poll? Are you afraid of what the numbers might indicate?
Let's face it a lot has changed since September. Obama has made strides, & Huckabee came from being just another one of those backburner candidates, to a front runner.
But most of all, I doubt that if I were trying to make a point and offered up a nearly 3 mt old Poll you'd accept it. In fact you & others here would be asking, got anything more recent Jeter?
But that's ok. I know how Liberal minds work around here ;-)
"The Republicans should hold their convention there, since they're so sure everything is going well."
Not for nothing but the Army is holding their yearly SGM meeting in Kabul this month. Funny how they didn't choose to hold it in "peaceful" Bagdad.