October 23, 2007
Pole-Vaulting Sharks
Not content with just jumping sharks, Think Progress is now going for big air:
Limbaugh calls female MSNBC anchor 'wifey' and 'whiney.'
MSNBC's Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough had on right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh to "talk about the Republican field." But Limbaugh quickly interjected and said he first had a comment about CNBC business analyst Erin Burnett: "I just heard Erin Burnett sounding a little wifey." Scarborough laughed and asked Burnett, "What do you think about Rush saying you're a little wifey today?" "Wifey today he said?" Burnett asked, confused. "Well you were whining," Rush explained.
Perhaps not surprisingly, others had a far different opinion of the comments made by Limbaugh, with TVNewser noting that "Rush Limbaugh Gushes Over Erin Burnett," and presents a slightly different and more expansive quote:
Scarborough: Let's talk about the Republican field… Limbaugh: Wait a minute, Joe. Before you go there, I have to say something. I heard Erin Burnett sounding a little wifey, Erin, you said you're gonna be listening. I love listening to myself, but it's great to know you're listening to me too. Nobody can big foot you, Erin... Burnett: I got bigfooted out, that's what happened Rush. Limbaugh: The truth is that anybody that follows you, Erin, can't match what you've done. Burnett: Thank you, Rush. Scarborough: That is big. Getting that from Mr. Excellence in Broadcasting right there. Burnett: You made my day. I'm done now, I'm going home.
Obviously, the TVNewser account tells quite a different story than that of Think Progress.
Which account is more accurate?
Ian Shwartz has the video that provides the answer.
Few people were ever under the impression that Think Progress was anything other than a left-leaning political muckraker's site, but their continuing assault this fall on conservatives, using comments ripped out of context to the point of dishonesty, has now become so bad that even fans of the site will be tempted to go elsewhere to get to the factual roots of the story that TP is spinning for political consumption.
There comes a point where a politically-motivated site can move so far beyond the bounds of rational criticism, and even beyond the much more lenient bands of spin, that it becomes essentially untrustworthy. Think Progress is perilously close to that point, and runs the distinct risk of becoming the next Truthout.org if they don't clean their act up soon.
You mean another viciously anti American far left wing fanatical website is lying and slandering again? Color me shocked!
Posted by: Capitalist Infidel at October 23, 2007 04:10 PMCY - Don't be ridiculous. You always have to check that site's posts for omitted context, abbreviated quotes and all manner of tricks. It's designed to gin up lefty outrage, not to be fair.
Posted by: daleyrocks at October 23, 2007 05:18 PMRush played the entire exchange on his show. They were laughing and joking. Think Progress is purposely misrepresenting the interview.
When they reach this desperately, especially after the previous Rush smear backfired, it suggests a coordinated strategy. Maybe it's about preparing the battlefield for the new improved 'Fairness' Doctrine.
More immediately, the Hillary campaign sees Limbaugh and Talk Radio as her biggest obstacles. She can count on the mainstream media to conceal scandals and present her in a positive light. If she could only get rid of Limbaugh and a few others, she'd get a free ride to the White House.
Posted by: lyle at October 23, 2007 05:52 PMI like a nice nougaty faux outrage once in a while. It goes well with a fine whine.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at October 23, 2007 07:40 PMGood thing theres never any fake outrage around here...
Posted by: Frederick at October 23, 2007 11:26 PMI have been watching their slide into the pit for weeks..most of the other left side sites are catching the fever too.
They saw the Media Matters spin job on Rush (which they are still today doing but even the left knows the story line has been debunked and are backing away from) and now they want to feel the love.
Part of it is motivated by what I and others see as the coming split between the nutroots and the dem establishment.
Posted by: Lurker of sorts at October 23, 2007 11:28 PMmost of the other left side sites are catching the fever too.
With the positive developments in Iraq, they're seeing the 08' election start to slip away and are getting desperate. By April, stock in straight jacket companies will be soaring.
Posted by: Purple Avenger at October 24, 2007 08:17 AMRush called her 'wifey' and 'whiney'?
Oh, can democracy survive???
One of the refreshing things about Rush is that he is decidedly un-PC.
Let's add TP to the list of whiners here, shall we?
Posted by: Ken McCracken at October 24, 2007 11:30 AMI recall reading some time ago that if the issue is the war then a Republican will win. If it is domestic matters, a Democrat will win.
Posted by: davod at October 24, 2007 11:50 AMDavod,
My guess is that if the primary issue is something with factual content, the Republicans have a chance. If it's emotional then you're in Dem territory.
I've listened to Rush for years. Just recently, he repeated that he loves stereotypical humor about men , about women. Remember, he's been married and divorced three times and says, he'll never marry again. He also says that Hillary reminds men of their first wife.
So, has political correctness reached the point, where men can not complain about whiny women? Is that where we're at?
Posted by: JabbaTheTutt at October 24, 2007 08:14 PMGuys, ThinkProgress has the entire video up. They don't seem to have removed any context.
Posted by: DaveS at October 24, 2007 10:41 PMDave: Though they have the video up, look at the rest of the article. They leave out about 30 seconds of talk between Limbaugh and Scarborough between the two comments, they emphasize the "wifey" and "whiney" comments and neglect to give equal weight to the discussion that leads to Erin THANKING Rush. Even the commenters are annoyed at how much time TP seems to spend yelling about Rush's every little comment. When the commenters have a more reasonable perspective than the author of the article, you know things are bad.
Posted by: Math_Mage at October 25, 2007 12:57 AM
