The April 28 edition of MSNBC Live included a discussion with North Carolina radio host Jeff Katz on Sen. Barack Obama and the effect Obama's former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, is having on North Carolina voters, without noting that Katz's website prominently encourages visitors to donate to “Help the N.C. GOP keep their ad on the air,” referring to an ad that attacks Obama for his connections to Wright. Nor did anchor Tamron Hall note that Katz's website also smears Obama by falsely claiming he “won't pledge to the flag.”

Hall introduced Katz as “radio talk-show host for WBT AM-FM in Charlotte.” Her first question was: “Are you hearing that this Wright controversy will hurt him in that state?” Katz responded: “Well, I tell you, the Jeremiah Wright comments in the past have certainly had some impact. Obama still has that double-digit lead here in North Carolina for the Democrat [sic] primary but the Democrats on the eastern side of the state have a tendency to be much more conservative. They're also known as the old 'Jessecrats,' from supporting Jesse Helms.” Katz continued: “And so, yeah, I think some of the Jeremiah Wright comments may take a couple of points away from him.”

The first in a series of hyperlinks featured on the homepage of Katz's WBT radio show is titled “Help the N.C. GOP keep their ad on the air,” and asserts, “Democrats, and even some Republicans, are trying to get NC GOP Chairman Linda Daves to pull their ad which says Obama is too controversial for North Carolina. Donate now to help them keep it on the air.” The title links to a page on the North Carolina GOP website that features an embedded video of the ad and a link to a page that facilitates donations to the North Carolina GOP.

Another link on the homepage is titled “Obama won't pledge to the flag.” That link directs visitors to a photo with the caption, “Here is Obama refusing to put his hand over his heart while saying the pledge. And this man could be our next President?” However, as Media Matters for America has noted, the photo to which Katz is referring -- which is being spread in a chain email -- appeared in Time magazine with a caption indicating it was taken during the national anthem, not the Pledge of Allegiance.

Washington Post “fact checker” Michael Dobbs noted in a November 2, 2007, item about the email: “Contrary to the e-mails attacking Obama for disrespecting the flag, the candidates were not reciting the pledge of allegiance. They were standing for the national anthem.” Dobbs also wrote: “Asked whether Obama normally puts his hand over his heart while listening to the national anthem, Obama spokesman Bill Burton replied by e-mail: 'Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. In no way was he making any sort of statement, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous.' ” Indeed, other photos show Obama with his hand over his heart during the national anthem.

From the 10 a.m. ET hour of the April 28 edition of MSNBC Live:

HALL: Senator [Hillary] Clinton is campaigning with her daughter, Chelsea, in the Tar Heel State today. Jeff Katz is radio talk-show host for WBT AM-FM in Charlotte. He joins me now on the phone. So, Jeff, we just heard from Reverend Wright, the former pastor for Barack Obama. We know in that state -- in your state -- Barack Obama has a commanding lead over Senator Clinton in the latest polls. Are you hearing that this Wright controversy will hurt him in that state?

KATZ: Well, I tell you, the Jeremiah Wright comments in the past have certainly had some impact. Obama still has that double-digit lead here in North Carolina for the Democrat primary, but the Democrats on the eastern side of the state have a tendency to be much more conservative. They're also known as the old “Jessecrats,” from supporting Jesse Helms. And so, yeah, I think some of the Jeremiah Wright comments may take a couple of points away from him.

HALL: Now, Senator Obama outraised Senator Clinton by nearly 3-to-1 last month. Of course, we know about the big $10 million boost that Senator Clinton was able to get after she took Pennsylvania. What does she need to do? We heard this economic message about gas prices in that ad we just played, but what does she need to do or what are you hearing she needs to do to win that state, if possible?

KATZ: Well, I think it's going to be difficult for her to win it. That's, number one, the general assessment. But the fact of the matter is that Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, Bill Clinton have spent a lot more time here in North Carolina than either Barack Obama or anybody from his campaign. And I think one of the things that's happening here is that a lot of people are very, very disappointed that Barack Obama put the brakes on a debate with Hillary Clinton here in North Carolina.

HALL: Hmm. Well, that's -- yeah, that's interesting. He said that he feels that they don't need to debate anymore. Well, Jeff, we're out of time. I'd love to talk to you more, but thank you for your insight on what's happening in North Carolina. We appreciate it.

KATZ: You bet. My pleasure.