Mighty Tim Russert Wields His Clout

It seems that Arianna Huffington has run up against the impenetrable wall that is Tim Russert's ego. Huffington, who is currently on tour for her new book Right Is Wrong: How the Lunatic Fringe Hijacked America, Shredded the Constitution, and Made Us All Less Safe, will be appearing on CNN, ABC, and CBS. She had been booked on Morning Joe and Countdown with Keith Olbermann as well, but those bookings were suddenly and inexplicably canceled.

NBC confirmed that Huffington wouldn't be booked on any NBC-affiliated show to promote her book, but refused to explain why. Huffington's people say that this is Tim Russert's doing, that Russert is out for revenge because Huffington called him a "conventional wisdom zombie" in her book and devoted seven pages to faulting Russert for allowing his Meet the Press guests to go unchallenged (not to mention HuffPo's RussertWatch).

If Huffington's claim is true and Russert has been pulling rank with NBC, then this whole affair smacks of immature middle-school antics. Is Russert really that sensitive that he can't take criticism from Huffington? And if he truly thinks his show hasn't become an outlet for Bush administration figures to push their message uncontested (as Huffington suggests), then shouldn't he bring Huffington on and challenge her assertions? Or, at the very least, allow Huffington to go on another NBC show?

Probably not, since that would mean Russert would have to ask tough questions for a change.

Comments

[FarOutFish]

It would be interesting to see some evidence other than conjecture that Russert was behind the NBC decision to not allow Ms. Huffington on the networks shows. It may be true but I see no evidence in this article that the networks star was behind this. "Paranoia runs deep. Into your heart it will creep" If Russert was behind the action shame on him. If not he is owed an apology. Let"s find the facts before jumping over the cliff of conclusion.

[littlepuffycloud]

As Keith would say...IDIOTS!

[Durango]

A petty little man.

Afraid of Arianna.

[dawn2dusk]

Tim Russert is a pandering punk. Of course he's intimidated by her.

[InofTouch]

Well that second to the last argument kinda failed since that other NBC show is Morning Joe and Countdown with Keith Olbermann

[jfor]

So Russert is just one more son who doesn't stack up to his dad liike George Dubya Bush and Chris Wallace.

[Bluedog12]

Simple resolution. Just call and book Liberman or Pie face Freidman and have Arianna show up. Also it may help to bring some snacks. Looks to me like Tim likes his snacks.

[zenobiadarcy]

Exactly why I stopped watching anything on MSNBC except for Keith Olbermann.

[HeevenSteven]

I'll have to stop calling him pumpkin-head and start using sore-head.

[duckfan00]

The entire NBC/MSNBC staff have been exposed as frauds this primary season. Russert,Matthews and Andrea Mitchell have been clamoring to call for the end of Hillary and the demise of the Clintons. Williams tries to buddy up with the worst president in US history and Matthews states that Bush has 'guts' throwing out a ball at a baseball game.

[PerryWhite]

She could go on Fox News Channel.

[lujo]

Fox propaganda News isn't interested in real journalism. There only on the air to push the republic's idea of America. Fascism

[fairwitness]

"NBC is owned by GE, a defense contractor." (Please, to associate them with such an honorable adjective as "defense" is sheer Orwell--they are WAR contractors...and profiteers.)

My God, it has come to that, hasn't it? Why is it that our worse suspicions always come true when money and power are involved? Why do we expect it to ever be different? The Bush?Republican debacle has proven beyond any doubt that the bad guys can get away with anything now that they control the media--they can lie, cheat and steal with impunity, in broad daylight, with all of us watching, and nothing whatsoever happens.

[izAriver]

More proof that crime does pay. Ask all those ceo things that just keep raking it in even after they get caught!

[hopeless277]

Russert is a potato. Tim Russert is a coward. Tim Russerts head is a pumpkin.

[InofTouch]

that Mattews...geez and no there not one in the same.

[Fathoms]

I Propose a Massive Feedback Campaign.
I've sent the following to Meet the Press and MSNBC News. Please feel free to borrow any part or the entirety of this message to send them as well. In cases such as these, bombardment is the only solution I'm aware of. Here's the link to where to post your comments:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/

Have you lost your barking minds? Barring Arianna Huffington from a news program because her book hurt Tim Russert's feelings. Please grow up! This level of immaturity is in no way shape or form worthy of the giants upon whom's shoulders you pygmys dare tread. Good Night and Good Luck!

[altohone]

I'm not sure we should expect a drowning ideology to throw itself a brick.

They'd welcome Arianna if they were interested in ratings... or the truth.
They must have other priorities.

[cynicalgirl]

Is anyone surprised at this? If so, go over to http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/04/30/williams/ and you will see Glenn Greenwald rip Russert's buddy Brian Williams a new one.

NBC is owned by GE, a defense contractor. That's all you need to know about those two clowns.