Rachel Maddow Tears Into Beltway Media For Paul Ryan Budget Coverage (VIDEO)

Rachel Maddow lit into the media for what she saw as their fawning coverage of Republican Congressman Paul Ryan's budget proposal.

Speaking on her Wednesday show, Maddow said that Ryan's proposal was dangerous and full of shoddy math--but that the media was too interested in his physical fitness and supposed "seriousness" to look critically at the plan.

"If the Beltway media could stop making out with Paul Ryan for long enough to look at what's actually in his budget proposal, they might notice that some of the important numbers in it appear to be made up," she said.

Ryan has received substantial positive press coverage for his plan, including on Maddow's own network, where a "Morning Joe" panel lavished the congressman with praise. Maddow, though, cited economists who contended that the budget would increase the national debt and hurt the poor and the elderly. She then further criticized the media:

"I doubt that actual numerically based fact based information will penetrate the smoochy smoochy love bubble surrounding Paul Ryan right now...there's this cult of him being brave and bold and doing this difficult workout every morning. What he's just introduced is not a feature on grit versus glamor in today's GOP. It is not a pinup. It is not the brave story of a strong boy in a tough environment. It's the official Republican Party budget for 2012, and the numbers in it are so wrong they are occasionally funny."

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Comments

[ahzzz]

04:02 PM on 04/12/2011

I have to admin I lean left probably too far and I agree with Rick3540 - "She connects the dots like no one else around. Her research team can only be compared to Jon Stewart's." BUT I would like to see a budget proposal from someone that showed what cutting the military budget by 10% (this can be done without touching any paychecks) and locking congressional salaries (with disclosure) then reasonable cuts to other areas For that matter I would like to see any responsible proposal.

[shimown]

11:35 AM on 04/12/2011

Worldexpert? Why would you make a personal attack on someone you don't even know? What kind of coward does that? You, sir, are not a man of honor, and you should be ashamed of yourself for injecting such unwarranted and misguided invective into a serious discussion. Grow up! You look old enough to know better.

[emlr]

11:56 AM on 04/12/2011

Sorry. I had to delete his insulting post.

[SecretSister]

10:04 AM on 04/12/2011

Attention News Media,

How many of you dunderheads even remember that this "Plan for Posperity" for the rich is the same ole' recycled plan with new cover sheet that Ryan has tried to peddle previously?

The media's memories are like ridiculously short term if they can't even remember that.

[SFGiantsfan]

01:16 AM on 04/12/2011

Help me understand one proposal that involves cuts that anyone will be happy with? The answer can't be to increase taxes without substantial cuts in spending. The American public if allowed to vote on either option would overwhelming support cutting spending.

[Alann]

02:18 AM on 04/12/2011

Let me help you.

The American people do not want services cut for the poor, children, the disabled, elderly,the middle class, while tax breaks for the wealthy remain sacrosanct.

What is it you don't understand?

[SFGiantsfan]

07:20 AM on 04/12/2011

Based on my observation in California alone, a very left leaning state. When there is a vote at the voter level to increase taxes in any capacity (County, State, etc), it is typically rejected. Again, my point - if (2) options were put in front of the American people (a) increase taxes and leave spending in tact OR (b) leave taxes in place and cut spending. B would be the more popular choice. That is what I understand.

I don't understand why people are so focused on increasing taxes for the 'wealthy' without definition. $200K or $250K (ind or joint) is NOT wealthy. Hate to break it to people.

[TheNovak]

06:48 PM on 04/11/2011

Looks like the Dollhouse didn't get to Rachel. Maybe she can figure out a way to unscramble Paul Ryan's brain and turn him back into Victor.

[Rick3540]

05:55 PM on 04/11/2011

Believe in what Rachel says. She connects the dots like no one else around. Her research team can only be compared to Jon Stewart's.

[Bali Boy]

08:09 PM on 04/11/2011

Yep...everything that escapes Maddow's mouth is comical.

[IfIonlyknew]

12:32 AM on 04/12/2011

As you fiddle while you house burns down.

[Political Piggy]

05:28 PM on 04/11/2011

Ms. Maddow is quite correct - the Ryan Republican Tea Party "budget" is a fraud. Not only does it take money from the poor and elderly in order to continue tax reduction for the already well off and simply wealthy, but it increases the deficit for each of the next 20 years, then continues the historically high deficits he creates for an additional 10 years...and then the deficits seem to just magically disappear - 30+ years from now.

[ajbebout3]

02:56 AM on 04/12/2011

This is Ryan's budget, 4.3 billion in cuts to services for the elderly and poor and 4.2 billion in tax cuts for the corporations and the rich. Yep, that's going to balance the budget alright. The media keeps forgetting to reportthat second part.

[g-moi]

05:07 PM on 04/11/2011

Go Rachel

[airforcevet43]

04:07 PM on 04/11/2011

Thanks Rachel, finally a journalistic statement fro someone who purports to be a serious news person.

Journalism, Morning Joe style is irritating at best and damaging the nation at its worst.

Why???

Because even those who have a decenting opinion, at least one that differs from Don'tknowmuch Joe, gets shouted down.

Especially Mika, who must apparently cower lest her job is in jeopardy and any daily commenters who don't suck up!!!

[troyrobertdavid]

03:30 PM on 04/11/2011

Well I can say one thing about Paul Ryan’s budget plan, it will cure our illegal immigration problem, because when he and the rest of the GOP are done no will ever have the idea of coming to America with the hope of a better life.

[NonConforming]

08:21 PM on 04/11/2011

Well if Ryan's plan will cure illegal immigration - then I'm for it.

Tire of our public schools forced to take in these non-english speakers, and the teachers forced to focus on them, at the expense of tax paying American citizens.

[tryingtodobetter]

12:22 PM on 04/12/2011

My wife, a German immigrant, who came here in the 60's at the age of 3, went to public school and did not speak english. She ended up being a highly paid executive for a fortune 100 company as did her brother. Should she not have been taught? Her story is the American Dream. Millions of immigrants from europe came here not speaking english. Should none of them have been taught either?

[MyrtleJune]

03:22 PM on 04/11/2011

I happened to see this spot and she's right. ALL the gopbagger nonsense is marketing. ALL of it.

[troyrobertdavid]

03:15 PM on 04/11/2011

Thank you Rachel! You're my hero.

[rebel9999]

03:09 PM on 04/11/2011

Rachel, don't get your boxer shorts in a wad.

[MAB]

12:19 AM on 04/12/2011

I bet she looks better in her boxers than you do in your homophobic rags.

[shimown]

11:53 AM on 04/12/2011

Rebel9999? Let me guess, you're from the South where they teach science and history with pop-up picture books. Just a tip: If you are going to participate in grown-up discussion, you have to use grown-up ideas, not the ones you use to pester the short-haired girl in the school yard. Have a nice life.

[rebel9999]

12:56 PM on 04/12/2011

No, I'm a mindless liberal from the North who pretends to be an intellectual while having only recently completed a GED, just like all the other people on here.

[RepugsHateFreedom]

02:25 PM on 04/11/2011

Amazing how the richest 1% get so many deluded Americans to agree to cut their own throats.

As for the media, the richest 1% has controlled the entire MSM for decades.

[Rick3540]

05:57 PM on 04/11/2011

Thank the Koch brothers for that.

[emlr]

12:05 PM on 04/12/2011

And Murdoch!

[tryingtodobetter]

12:23 PM on 04/12/2011

the media are part of the richest 1%.

[AngusHarrison]

01:54 PM on 04/11/2011

Let the Repups slash at Medicare and Social Security.
They will lose the senior vote with a quickness.

Unless they find a new way to scare the Depends off them. Then all bets are off, lol.

[NonConforming]

08:22 PM on 04/11/2011

Those 55 and older are exempt from the Ryan proposal.