MSNBC Vs. Fox News/White House

The feud between GE/NBC/MSNBC and the White House/Fox News has intensified. Below, five links that encapsulate Tuesday's developments in the MSNBC vs. Fox News/the White House saga:

• White House's Gillespie Takes NBC News Complaint To Fox (click to watch video):

  Appearing before Fox's Megyn Kelly, who seemed to have a palpably difficult time wrangling her own sense of skepticism, Gillespie complained of how MSNBC dared edit their interview, and how they were forcing viewers to use "streaming video" to see the unexpurgated session between Bush and Engel. He said that NBC News cut the interview "very artfully" - you know, like a White House sponsored Video News Release? - and that the news organization engaged in "deceptive" "masking" - like, say, the White House/Pentagon "message force multiplier" program did!

  
  

• NBC News President Steve Capus Responds To Ed Gillespie's Charges:

  Mr. Gillespie,

  
  I'm in receipt of your email and want to assure you we take this matter very seriously.

  
  We appreciated President Bush's decision to do the interview with NBC News, and believe Mr. Engel's reporting accurately reflects the discussion with the President.

  
  Let me assure you, there was no effort to be "deceptive," as you suggest. Furthermore, the notion this was, "deceitful editing to further a media-manufactured storyline," is a gross misrepresentation of the facts.

  
  

• Olbermann Responds To White House NBC Complaints: The President Doesn't Know What He's Talking About (click to watch video):

  Olbermann aired the full excerpt and blasted the White House saying, "The White House apparently [doesn't realize] that in full, it is clear the President never actually answered Richard Engel's first question and clear that the President either does not know what he talked about or what he is now talking about."

  
  

• Steve Doocy Blasts Keith Olbermann: "A Guy Who Picks On People's Children" (click to watch video):

  "I have a problem with Keith Olbermann," Steve Doocy said. "Keith Olbermann made my son the world's worst person. How can you make a kid the world's worst person?" Doocy asked. "Next time you see Keith Olbermann on TV, just remember: that is a guy who picks on people's children. He completely sandbagged my son, took his comments out of context, and mangled them around the way he does every night. And I am mad at Keith Olbermann."

  
  

• Is MSNBC A Political Liability To NBC?:

  Monday's letter from the White House aide Ed Gillespie to the NBC News president Steve Capus was a high-profile complaint about NBC News and MSNBC -- ­ but it was far from the first.

  
  Critics are increasingly citing MSNBC for what they say is left-leaning partisan political coverage and commentary. More and more, NBC shares staff, office space and an identity with MSNBC, exposing the news division to complaints about opinionated cable hosts like Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews.

  
  Mr. Gillespie's letter -- although focusing on an interview conducted by an NBC correspondent on Sunday -- purposefully tied the news on NBC and the opinion on MSNBC together. The letter requested reassurance that Mr. Olbermann and Mr. Matthews, who are vocal critics of the Bush administration, "don't hold editorial sway over the NBC network news division."

  
  

Comments

[drumz]

Another example of they can dish it out but sure can't take it.

[americanwomaninpa]

MSNBC isn't news.

[hank48188]

MSNBC is the Obama network, they had Keith, Chris and Timmy on last night trying to spin Obama losing by 35% in KY. They never mention the truth, Obama can't win in November, 34% of the voters in liberal Oregon think Obama shares the views of Rev. Wright, it's much higher in the rest of the country.

[djelimon]

Source?

For a guy who can't win, he sure gets elected a lot

[missusam]

You sure are fixed on Rev Wright! You must wanna do him. Go and talk to Hannity about Rev Wright. Speak for yourself and the rest of the country will speak for themselves come November. Stuck on stupid, huh?

[frappe]

Democrats, independents, and liberals are starving for some political representation on cable network news and radio talk shows. Radio and TV airwaves are saturated with either right-leaning personalities or obnoxious, right wing nutjobs. MSNBC would be smart to be the political oasis of choice for Democrats and liberals in the depressing arid desert of conservative voices. We, as a group, are thirsting for a network where we can get our unbiased news and political coverage, free of the taint of the right wing's Orwellian script.

[chyko]

The tide changed and people are crying fowl. Mr. Doocy of Fox news and cohorts are crying fowl following Keith Olbermann's worst person comment against Doocy's son. It is interesting to see these people that make a living bashing Obama and family, often using Obama's association to impinge on his character, now crying fowl when they become the lime light. Isn't that ironic?

For months, rather, in the last 16 months, Fox has made a habit of demonizing Obama, throwing all kind of kitchen sink and toilet sink at him at any slightest chance. The only thing that Fox could not do was to arrest him and throw him in jail by charging him with frevelous offence, thrust me, if the have the opportunity to stop his presidency, they will do that.

So, Fox new, quiet crying like a baby. when you make a living throwing mud at people, you should expect the same, you should thank God that only Keith has the avenue to respond to the terible things you guys say on air. How we wish that others had the opportunity and your channel would have been history. THANKS KEITH KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ... WE LOVE AND TRUST IN YOU.

[hank48188]

FOX NEWS is just revealing Obama's character by showing his friends, Tony Rezko, Rev. Wright and the WEATHERMEN TERRORISTS. Most people think Obama shares the views of Rev. Wright, he even gave Wright $20,000 last year to help him spread his poison. Obama and Bin Laden both have friends that BOMBED THE PENTAGON, doesn't that tell you something about Obama?

[2351]

Stop distorting the truth. Most people do not believe that Obama shares anyones views. You are the kind of person that those people in Kentucky and West Virginia are listening to. You never tell the truth and create a lot of fear for less educated voters. Shame on you. Look at how you throw around names like Rezko and yell out the words weathermen terrorist. You need some psychological help hank. There are many people out there distorting things just like you. For some reason, you feel that you have to distort things about Obama to keep people from voting for him. This has nothing to do with electing a person based on merit, it is all about making people afraid to vote for a qualified person by distorting the truth. Stop distoring the truth. Stop being afraid of people of color. Why are you afraid of people of color? Distortion is what people do who are afraid.

[missusam]

No, tells us about you!

[Law35]

You're laughable and apparently severely out of touch. Fox News revealing character? You have to have character in the first place before you try to "reveal" someone's character. Who are "most" people? He's won the majority of pledged delegates, the popular vote, THE VOTE period. You wouldn't see the truth if you had bifocals on. You and people like you weren't going to vote for him anyway. Go MSNBC! Keith Olbermann ROCKS!!

[continental]

Hank, are you off your meds again??

[theMightyT]

Well, you comment tells us a lot about you... hey isn't Saudi Arabia the leader in state-sponsored terrorism? Wasn't that a picture of Bush holding hands with a Saudi about 2 years ago? Doesn't that mean that Bush has lots of friends who bombed America and lots of other countries?

[WAstateliberal]

Didn't Doocy's blonde cohort call Obama a "halfrican?" Nice, classy.

[2351]

If he is anything like Steve Doocy, he probably is just as silly as Steve Doocy. Steve should really watch the example that he sets for his son. I agree, Steve must understand how it feels for someone he loves to be attacked the way that he has attacked Michelle. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander. I used to enjoy their show, but the big thing that turned me off about Steve Doocy and company was the day that they were trashing Obama about his grandmother comment and Chris Wallace had to come in and scold them like children. They act like 8th graders.

[frappe]

If MSNBC is smart, they'll continue a policy that's designed to draw a largely Democratic audience. Everyone knows that Democrats, as a whole, are not being served by anyone with any kind of satisfying consistency. If they do this, their audience share will increase substantially within a very short period of time -- so long as they remain true to fundamental principles and ideals.

Keith Olbermann rules! He was the lone voice of dissent at a time when everyone else within the mainstream news media was reading deferentially from the White House script.

[WAstateliberal]

Yes, particularly since CNN is now Faux News II. Nowhere to go but Keith, and he is so great. I wish MSNBC would use Ron Reagan more. Love that guy.

[frappe]

I think you're right. CNN appears to be taking on Faux Noise in a real way now. Unfortunately, they do appear to be shifting to the right. To my dismay, they've hired several new conservatives and they still have that bonehead, Glen Beck. Given that a large and growing number of people now consider Fox to be a joke and a tool of the Reich wing, there is a real opportunity for CNN to capitalize on Faux Noise's failing reputation by capturing or attracting those who have become embarrassed to admit to watching Fox as their primary source for news and commentary. It's hilarious! At the same time, it also opens doors for MSNBC to continue to draw huge numbers of Democrats and liberals as they leave CNN for friendlier waters.

[frappe]

MSNBC shouldn't buckle under the disingenuous and manipulative pressure from the Bush administration and their political operatives at Fox. Clearly, the Bush White House and Faux Noise don't have a leg to stand on. Their arguments are absurd and they should take a look in the mirror. If any are guilty of rank political bias and deception, it is those two. America already knows and accepts this as fact.

[frappe]

MSNBC, please don't buckle under the disengenuous and manipulative pressure from the Bush administration and their cronies. They're just trying to change the subject and looking for a convenient scapegoat. Clearly, the Bush White House and Faux Noise don't have a leg to stand on. If any are guilty of rank political bias and deception, it is those two. America already knows and accepts this as fact.

If you're smart, you'll continue a policy that's designed to draw a largely Democratic audience. Everyone knows that right now, that political market segment is not being served by anyone with any kind of satisfying consistency. If you do this, your audience share will increase substantially within a short period of time -- so long as you remain true to fundamental principles and ideals.

MSNBC -- Democrats, independents, and liberals are starving for some political representation. Radio and TV airwaves are saturated with either right-leaning personalities or obnoxious, right wing nutjobs. MSNBC, please be our political oasis in this arid desert of conservative voices. We are thirsting for a network where we can get our unbiased news, free of the taint of the right wing's Orwellian script.

Don't let us down. You won't be disappointed.

[saun8934]

Faux news need to mind their own business, because they are more capable of that than MSNBC. Most of their news is edited or not true at all. Pleazzzze- they really have some nerve. MSNBC is wayyyyyy better than Faux news. I love Olbermann.

[ColoradoDan]

Steve Doocy is perhaps the creepiest and most obviously disturbed TV celebrity we've ever witnessed. Not a fan of Fox at all but Doocy is so embarrasing and mental that he has become a joke around here and sometimes I do watch although I would never do business with Fox advertisers.

Doocy is pure gold for anyone wishing to explore a psyche on the edge between sanity and insanity. Never funny or clever or even bright but always strange. Hate, Fear and Loathing fit Fox well but even Doocy seems to be a loose wild cannon who seems to be somewhat like Nicholson in the The Shining.

Creepy as hell. The idea of his spawn being ushered into TV is like a 'Chucky' sequel.

Olbermann is amazing. I bet most of America forgot what a real journalist, politcal commentator and Statesman really is. Glad his commentaries are on YouTube ... many, even my old GOP buds (not all but half) enjoy and agree with many of his points now. Fun to email them along.

[Grulg]

Steve Doocy is more or less a goober w/ the IQ of a cucumber. You know I'm right. Olbermann could be better and not so in the tank for Obama, but that's just how this Site here works too.

[richcpl]

As chairman of the Stupid Cucumber Association, I resemble that comparison.

[ElPerro]

The White House and Faux feel that MSNBC is manipulating and "cooking" the news?

LOL!

That what the psycological community calls "Projection."

Mr. Pot, meet Mr. Kettle....

[frappe]

MSNBC -- don't buckle under the corrupt and manipulative Bush administration pressure. They're just trying to change the subject and looking for a convenient scapegoat. Clearly, the Bush White House and Faux Noise don't have a leg to stand on. If any are guilty of crass, political bias and deception, it is those two. America already knows this.

If you're smart, you'll continue a policy that's designed to draw a largely Democratic audience. Everyone knows that right now, that political market segment is not being served by anyone with any kind of satisfying consistency. If you do this, your audience share will increase substantially within a short period of time -- so long as you remain true to fundamental principles and ideals.

MSNBC -- Democrats, independents, and liberals are starving for some political representation. Radio and TV airwaves are saturated with either right-leaning personalities or obnoxious, right wing nutjobs. MSNBC, please be our political oasis in this arid desert of conservative voices. We are thirsting for a network where we can get our unbiased news, free of the taint of the right wing's Orwellian script.

Don't let us down. You won't be disappointed.

[Ariadne]

Just this morning our esteemed leader, the shrub, was on TV calling on the Cuban regime to allow internet access and freedom of expression. Apparently he does't believe that we should have the free expression of ideas in our own country. An irony that is no doubt completely lost on him.

[frappe]

I agree with you. His words are meaningless. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if most of the nation -- 70% -- just tune him out when his miserable face appears on our television screens. He keeps talking about freedom and democracy when clearly the actions that he has taken at home are designed to do just the opposite.

[Economike]

In the old days you were suppose to go out and kill for God and country, now it's Democracy.

[RoloTomassi]

Here's the bottom Line for all you rightwingnut complainers:

Once you've taken off the gloves and have consistently fought a dirty fight, you've got ZERO grounds to complain about getting bloodied-up when your opponent fights as dirty as you do....

So suck it up and quit your damn whining, as there's no sympathy for you at all from the Left.

[LCRover001]

Bush was asked if the statement was directed at Obama, Bush replied with a bunch of junk about taking Iran's threats seriously. He ran all way round the question and is mad that part of it was cut? A simple no it was not or yes it was because.... would have sufficed instead we got a bunch of rambling which was cut and for good reason it had little to nothing to do with the point of the question.

Engel: "You said that negotiating with Iran is pointless, and then you went further. You said that it was appeasement. Were you referring to Senator Barack Obama?"

Bush: "You know, my policies haven't changed, but evidently the political calendar has. . . . And when, you know, a leader of Iran says that they want to destroy Israel, you got to take those words seriously."

What NBC cut out was: "People need to read the speech. You didn't get it exactly right, either. What I said was is that we need to take the words of people seriously and if you don't take them seriously, then it harkens back to a day when we didn't take other words seriously. It was fitting that I talked about not taking the words of Adolph Hitler seriously on the floor of the Knesset. But I also talked about the need to defend Israel, the need to not negotiate with the likes of al Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas…."

[conned]

Yeah, OK...these right-wing extremist propagandists dominate our airwaves from coast to coast, regularly mock Air America, blatantly lie, get caught taking their talking points from the RNC and White House, and attempt to slander anyone who opposes the radical right's agenda. As soon as one left leaning host begins to gain popularity they start crying! HAHAHA

[frappe]

Exactly. It's pathetic, don't you think?

[simple]

Oberman has been matching Papa Bear Bill in the all important 18 - 45 demo.

[dimlight]

Obermans starting to gain in popularity? Based on the content of his show, I just assumed that he didn't have much of a following; it would be interesting to see his ratings data.

Could you please provide the data on his rise in popularity?...thanks