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Jason Linkins

The Huffington Post

MSNBC's O'Donnell: Health Care "Isn't As Sexy" As Wright

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April 29, 2008 04:44 PM

Read More: Elizabeth Edwards, Health Care, Jeremiah Wright, John McCain, Mnsbc, Norah O'Donnell, Video, Breaking Politics News
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Ever get the feeling you've been cheated? Because when I tune in to watch an interview with universal health care advocate (and maybe-should-be candidate for President (seriously, are we sure it's too late?)) Elizabeth Edwards, which is billed as a response to Senator John McCain's health care proposals, I would expect to see a segment that's basically framed around that issue.

But MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell had other ideas. Don't get me wrong: Edwards did get to briefly respond to McCain's proposed policies. But to be afforded that privilege, Edwards first had to field two questions about Senator Barack Obama's re-re-repudiation of Reverend Jeremiah Wright. And the ensuing health care conversation lasted all of two questions before O'Donnell commenced a five-question attempt to pin down the Edwards' family endorsement, forcing Elizabeth Edwards to find newer and more creative ways to parry the question.

O'Donnell was inadvertently honest about it, telling Edwards, "This is a big deal, health care for many Americans. It's not as sexy as Reverend Wright is now." Uhm, maybe call Elizabeth Edwards back when you're not feeling quite so aroused, then?

[WATCH.]

 
 

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- MrRex See Profile I'm a Fan of MrRex

And people wonder why the MSM is not trusted.
When the opeative word is "sexy" you know whatever issues exist are on the back burner. But having said that I must add, the American people get what they put up with. Our miserable voter turnout for the last several years has embolded our politicians into thinking that we care more about the circuses than about dealing with the issues of a democratic republic.
Suppose we show them this time, let's all vote and exercise that right that so many gave their lives for, maybe the next time healthcare will be sexy!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:27 PM on 04/30/2008
- uhappytoo See Profile I'm a Fan of uhappytoo

Just turn off all the MSM channels. There is more and better news--real news--available on The Comedy Channel. And Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert even engage us to chuckle while watching.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:50 AM on 05/01/2008
- CaptainStormfield See Profile I'm a Fan of CaptainStormfield

So when can we talk about the economy? Gas prices? The Debt? The Patriot Act?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:01 PM on 04/30/2008
- HowietheScreamer See Profile I'm a Fan of HowietheScreamer

Never, Repubics don't want to talk about those little bits of their dirty laundry.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:36 PM on 04/30/2008
- Grace2008 See Profile I'm a Fan of Grace2008

Nora O'Donnell did speak the truth. I am certain that she did not mean to make such an admission, however. She is the least objective reporter on MSNBC. She reports negatively on all of the Presidential candidates but she clearly gleefully over emphasizes every negative thing she can regarding Barack Obama, choosing the strongest, harshest adjectives that she can. She is obviously very turned on by the seductive power of trash journalism.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:23 AM on 04/30/2008
- uhappytoo See Profile I'm a Fan of uhappytoo

Speaks the truth? As in Jeremiah Wright's ordeal is SEXY? Will someone please define sexy, and tell me how it relates to the media-made distraction?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:48 AM on 05/01/2008
- vincealy See Profile I'm a Fan of vincealy

One of the few honest statements out of the MSNBC talking heads. A very important story about voter suppression thur disinformation in NC. must not be 'Sexy' either. Role model.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:32 AM on 04/30/2008
- gregjones See Profile I'm a Fan of gregjones

Special thanks to CNN, Fox News, especially Hannity, Joe Scarborough, Pat Buchanan, Laura Ingraham, Flush Limbaugh, and the gang for running the Rev. Wright story totally in the ground. Now that the whole Wright issue has been settled, all superdelegates can now come to Obama's side without fear that the Wright ordeal will be an issue in the GE. When the GOP brings it up in the general....it will be old news. THANKS MEDIA ! (can you say.....back-fired!)

FIRED UP....READY TO GO !!!!!!!!!!

Greg Jones
www.Blacks4Barack.org
(A Multi-Racial, Grassroots Org...Dedicated To Truth)

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:02 AM on 04/30/2008
- BlueLogic See Profile I'm a Fan of BlueLogic

Norah O'Donnel is such an overly made-up bobblehead newsbunny. She has the most insincere, irritating cackle of a laugh this side of Hillary Clinton. I loathe her and her clownish face on my television screen.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:40 AM on 04/30/2008
- AthenaDelphi See Profile I'm a Fan of AthenaDelphi

Sad to say but she is telling the truth.
Why?
Because listening to each candidate on healthcare proposals is a one sided event.
I would so welcome a (minimalistic moderated) debate between Obama, Clinton, McCain and the won't say quit Ron Paul, on healthcare. Have them sit down around a circular table and pick each other's ideas apart! Its only thru that process that we will all watch and hear things we need to know about REAL POLICY effects, costs, and options.

Saying one or two lines in a stump town hall speech, combined with ads that take phrases or votes out of context, are why we are in this mess.

Everyone has the attention span of a gnat when it comes to deep issues. Its like the American people just want a magic wand waved to get the problem straightened out without knowing what's entailed and what the consequences are.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:41 AM on 04/30/2008
- deminohio See Profile I'm a Fan of deminohio

Sadly I'm not sure any of the candidates has it right or has MSNBC formally coined that spelling as Wright. I saw a great Frontline a week ago where they reviewed the up sides and downsides of various government healthcare systems. No profit insurance companies, government regulated pricing, and minimalistic spending vs. the GDP. No one was going bankrupt, no one was denied coverage, and care wasn't diminished(in fairness the British system had long wait times but it is an issue they trying to correct and have made some inroads). Americans would never endorse such a system but if the goal is universal healthcare you should see it. Leaders were actually lauging at how much we payed vs. GDP(I think 16% versus I think 3 or 4% in Japan) and were stumped when asked about issues of pre-existing conditions and bankruptcy. It seems that our system is not the envy of other countries as Republicans and insurance companies and pharmacutical companies would have us believe.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:00 AM on 04/30/2008
- angst2000 See Profile I'm a Fan of angst2000

Is Norah O'Donnell one of those what fellow MSNBC'er Olbermann describes as incapable of doing good analysis.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:14 AM on 04/30/2008
- Poised See Profile I'm a Fan of Poised

She's a nitwit. But then, so is Olbermann.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:22 AM on 04/30/2008
- JR49 See Profile I'm a Fan of JR49

I have a feeling all these guys CNN, MSNBC, ABC, are trying to compete with Bush News who has more stupid moderators and who has more stupid comments and news. Norah surely prefer Rev. Wright because boss told her to do so and well it is more juicy than health care.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:06 AM on 04/30/2008
- AurigaRa See Profile I'm a Fan of AurigaRa

and Noron you're not as sexy as Barack Obama.
Wish you'd find a job you can actually do.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:36 AM on 04/30/2008
- nellie See Profile I'm a Fan of nellie

he he

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:32 AM on 04/30/2008
- TheAdviceWeAllNeed See Profile I'm a Fan of TheAdviceWeAllNeed

Leave her alone she was just being honest. My GOD start waiting for people to tell you what you want to hear instead of what you need to hear.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:49 PM on 04/29/2008
- iPolitics See Profile I'm a Fan of iPolitics

Doing a service to your viewers isn't sexy, huh.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:22 PM on 04/29/2008
- molly2007 See Profile I'm a Fan of molly2007

As she was talking to Mrs. Edwards I wonder if she was thinking like we all were. She gets paid to say such stupid things like Wright is sexier than healthcare this woman has no clue.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:14 PM on 04/29/2008
- army193 See Profile I'm a Fan of army193

Your surprised, I surprised you even get it...Hey American people what are you doing here? I here to hit the mute button.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:00 PM on 04/29/2008
- Myshkin57 See Profile I'm a Fan of Myshkin57

At least O'Donnell is honest about being vacuous and insipid.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:41 PM on 04/29/2008
- drkazmd65 See Profile I'm a Fan of drkazmd65

Maybe I am just weird,... but I actually find the idea of good, comprehenisve, affordable healthcare for all actually quite 'sexy' as politcal issues go.

And,... the Rev. Wright issue is only 'sexy' because idiots and/or pundits are posing as journalists, and we the idiot citzens (editorial 'we') are posing as an informed electorate. Rev. Wright ceased being a relevant issue for this election almost the day he was put forth as an issue by the idiot fringe that claim to be our press.

Let's focus on the really relevant and sexy issues.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:33 PM on 04/29/2008
- speciallady2003 See Profile I'm a Fan of speciallady2003

Pathetic and even more pathetic that citizens not only stand for it, they vote based on it. We are getting what we deserve. We didn't elect Bush the first time, but we did the second and it appears NO lessons were learned. Pathetic.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:31 PM on 04/29/2008
- wm1066 See Profile I'm a Fan of wm1066

Oh please, we didn't deserve this.
The election was stolen both times and our politicians sold us out.
"We" did not deserev this!
Bushcheney stole the election.
Pelosi and Reid sold us out.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:19 PM on 04/30/2008
- TribunusPlebis See Profile I'm a Fan of TribunusPlebis

Norah O'Donnell's catnip moment with the Rev. Wright affair was duplicated on NBC today by Tim Russert. Brian Williams asked him to ponder Obama's disowning of Wright, and Russert -- in full red-faced, eyebrow-signaling mode -- said that never before had a presidential candidate broken from such a close associate. Russert, who exaggerates the importance of most things he's asked to pontificate about, has forgotten quite a bit of history.

Just weeks before the 1964 election, President Johnson had to dismiss one of his longtime aides for having gay sex in a YMCA men's room not far from the White House. Both Jimmy Carter and Richard Nixon had to distance their campaigns from their own brothers, who kept getting involved in questionable business deals. Ronald Reagan refused to discuss his first marriage, to the actress Jane Wyatt, who was known to have mixed feelings about him. But of course these presidents or their predecessors weren't harassed to answer endless questions about the alienation, outrageous remarks or clownishness of their former associates or relatives, because that was before the arrival of a 24/7 news cycle and a carnivorous media unhinged from any pretense of covering the actual substance of politics.

What the Wright affair has really illuminated is what we might call the Russert-O'Donnell Syndrome: the manic drive of pundits and political reporters to throw their historical perspective, news judgment and common sense onto the burning funeral pyre of this country's maturity as a democracy.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:16 PM on 04/29/2008
- bluesman49 See Profile I'm a Fan of bluesman49

Good post, despite the name error - i knew who you meant - and Reagan definitely had the press trained.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:41 AM on 04/30/2008
- popecorvo See Profile I'm a Fan of popecorvo

Ronald Reagan's first wife Jane Wyatt??

The misinformation available on the Internet has become the new standard for defining The Infinite.

Jane Wyman.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:43 PM on 04/29/2008
- TribunusPlebis See Profile I'm a Fan of TribunusPlebis

Ah, the vagaries of memory. I stand corrected -- and confess I'm old enough to have seen Jane Wyman in Hollywood, where I grew up. Probably "Wyatt" came to mind because I was unconsciously thinking of Wright and Obama at the OK Corral...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:27 AM on 04/30/2008
- nellie See Profile I'm a Fan of nellie

ha!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:33 AM on 04/30/2008
- overdahill See Profile I'm a Fan of overdahill

When the news of the number of lobbyists on the Straight Talk Express (59) broke, Lisa Myers of NBC, stated matter of factly that NBC has one of those lobbyists working for them. Therefor, NBC and specifically, it's house organs, NBC News and MSNBC , have a conflict of interest as the company they work for and who writes their checks has a horse in this race and it's John McCain.
So none of this performance by Norah should come as any surprise. You have the other O'Donnell, Keli, probably giving lap dances on the STE in-between whistle stops on McCain's' I love the poor tour'.

I wonder if Keli can sit next to the NBC lobbyist or does she have to sit to the left and one seat behind ?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:52 PM on 04/29/2008
- Testtubebaby See Profile I'm a Fan of Testtubebaby


They'll excuse her and tell you she's pregnant and tired. She was a mess and I usually like her. She just gave it all away. That's all these cable networks are about Gotcha Politics until they get caught and then they are able to say I'm sorry (99 times this quarter) and move on. But not the Politicians...oh no they have to carry a cross and wear a crown of thorns for a thought of redemption from those stale so and so's.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:47 PM on 04/29/2008
- dutchess2 See Profile I'm a Fan of dutchess2

SEND A NOTE TO THE OWNERS/SPONSORS/MANAGEMENT

Not watching until they start covering issues...

We got blogs... don't need CNN, FOX or MSNBC

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:46 PM on 04/29/2008
- nellie See Profile I'm a Fan of nellie

I'm all for a general strike against television news.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:34 AM on 04/30/2008
- simmern4u See Profile I'm a Fan of simmern4u

Norah must have been on drugs today. She messed up the whole interview with Mrs. Edwards calling her Sen. Edwards at one point. Later, trying to get her to committe to an indorsement of Sen. Clinton or Sen. Edwards (not Sen. Obama). So my conclusion is she was off stride this evening. MSNBC is so caught up in this gotcha politics they never talk about meat issues. I hope they all get fired.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:36 PM on 04/29/2008
- KOisGod See Profile I'm a Fan of KOisGod

That explains the laugh

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:18 PM on 04/29/2008
- CalexenderJ See Profile I'm a Fan of CalexenderJ

Health Care "Isn't As Sexy" As O'Donnell

I'd watch her butter toast.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:26 PM on 04/29/2008
- apoyo See Profile I'm a Fan of apoyo

For someone who is pregnant you would think health care would be an important topic for her. You think she would advocate for that issue in the name of other women and their children. Besides she was interviewing someone who is receiving health care for a current disease.

Talk about dense.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:03 AM on 04/30/2008
- jukesgrrl See Profile I'm a Fan of jukesgrrl

Surely she'd be better at butter than she is at political analysis. And does she actually think provoking racists like her pal Pat Buchanan is SEXY?? Ewww.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:39 AM on 04/30/2008
- KOisGod See Profile I'm a Fan of KOisGod

This is what I learned from watching TV today mommy !

0

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:15 PM on 04/29/2008
- FLOWERGAL See Profile I'm a Fan of FLOWERGAL

YES , CHOOSING BETWEEN MEDICINE AND FOOD BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE INSURANCE IS NOT SEXY. YES , HAVING TO SUE BECAUSE THE INSURANCE COMPANY CALLED YOUR CANCEROUS BREAST LUMP '' PREEXISTING '' IS NOT SEXY. YES , HAVING TO WAIT HOURS IN A FREE CLINIC OR AN E.R. IS NOT SEXY. THIS IS REAL LIFE AND REAL ISSUES. LIFE AIN'T ALL '' SEXY '' AND DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES , FRIENDS. P.S. WRIGHT AIN'T SEXY , EITHER ,ANYONE WHO SAYS HE IS NEEDS SERIOUS GLASSES !

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:06 PM on 04/29/2008
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